Environmental and Social Specialist (talent pool-3 Positions)

Grade: IS-3
Deadline: 05 May 2025 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 108,700 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable)): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

Introduction
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. The GCF has a portfolio of 297 projects across 133 countries, with a total commitment of USD 16.6 billion to date.

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations. 

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds.  Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart.  GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. 

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people. 
 

Position Objective
The Environmental and Social Specialist will be responsible for implementing the Fund’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), including the Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) standards, Gender Policy, Gender Action Plan, Indigenous Peoples Policy and other relevant policies. By conducting environmental and social due diligence of funding proposals, monitoring, and reviewing annual performance reports, the Specialist integrates environmental and social considerations into GCF financed activities. The Specialist fosters innovation by advising on practical approaches to embed social sustainability and gender sensitivity in Fund’s financing. She/he provides timely technical advice to Accredited Entities (AEs), countries and the Secretariat on the ESMS, ensuring compliance with the sustainability policies and standards. Additionally, the Specialist contributes to the Fund’s knowledge management and capacity development efforts.

Purpose 

• Adapts the environmental and social due diligence practices of the Fund to enable compliance to and effective delivery of environmental and social risk management, inclusion and mainstreaming of gender considerations in GCF funded activities 
• Applies the ESMS, ESP, ESS standards, requirements of GCF inclusion policies including Gender Policy and Indigenous Peoples Policy and other relevant policies of the Fund, through the due diligence and review of concept notes, funding proposals, disclosures and monitoring of activities under implementation, including subprojects, to be able to manage the environmental and social performance of the Fund’s portfolio

Engagement

• Build synergy and support from the Secretariat and the Fund’s stakeholders for the implementation and compliance of the Fund’s ESMS, sustainability policies and action plans in all facets of GCF operations including activities financed through GCF resources 
• Advise project teams and AEs and promote the overall awareness and understanding of the Fund’s ESMS, including the adherence to the requirements of the ESP, Gender Policy, Indigenous Peoples Policy and the ESS standards as a mean to manage the environmental and social risks and/or impacts of GCF-financed activities and incorporating gender equality and other social inclusion issues in GCF funded activities 

Delivery

• Optimize the processes for environmental and social due diligence, gender mainstreaming and performance reviews to enable effective and efficient application of the Fund’s sustainability policies, ESS standards and gender action plan to all activities funded by GCF 
• Collaborate with project teams and colleagues to maintain consistency of environmental and social due diligence and the implementation of the GCF requirements 
• Collaborate and guide project teams to manage, respond and remedy on incidents and complaints received through GCF Independent Redress Mechanism 

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

• Master’s degree in environmental or social sciences, engineering and/or management, environmental policy and economics, social development, or other relevant fields; OR A Bachelor's degree in similar fields with an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the Master’s degree requirement.
• At least seven (7) years of relevant international experience in the areas of environmental and social management system, environmental and social safeguards policy and standards implementation, due diligence, inclusion including Indigenous Peoples, gender mainstreaming, implementation of references, and tools for applying standards, gender action plans, and SEAH risk assessments 
• Ability to work collaboratively with investment teams and alongside other specialists
• Familiarity with different funding modalities, financing instruments, contractual arrangements and grievance mechanisms  
• Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently and coping with parallel initiatives in different phases, typically under pressure with firmly committed to timelines for internal and external customer audiences and partners.
• Work experience with international organizations as staff, consultant or contractor is a distinct advantage; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position, knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

The closing date for application is 05 May 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references. 

Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.