Head of Policy

Grade: IS-7
Deadline: 03 February 2025 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 198,000 (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 286 projects across 133 countries, with a total commitment of USD 15.9 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 Head of Policy, reporting to the Director of Strategy, Policy and Innovation, will oversee all aspects of the GCF Secretariat’s policy function. This role will oversee the development and application of a robust policy framework across the Secretariat, consisting of policy manuals, standard operating procedures and guidance documents. The Head of Policy will manage the policy cycle (i.e., agenda setting, analysis, development, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning) by guiding and advising subject-matter experts through the entire policy cycle for their respective policies for consideration by the GCF Board. By providing authoritative policy leadership, the Head of Policy will collaborate closely with key internal and Board stakeholders to advance a coherent, accessible, and implementable policy suite. S/he will also lead a team of policy experts and be responsible for building capacity across the Secretariat and promoting best practices to enhance the quality of policy proposals. Strong leadership, effective stakeholder management, sound political judgement and the ability to negotiate outcomes will be critical to ensure the successful execution of the policy function. S/he may also serve as deputy for the Director, Strategy, Policy and Innovation, as needed.

Purpose 

• Play a thought leadership role for the Secretariat’s policy function. Oversee and continuously improve the Secretariat’s policy suite and contribute to GCF’s strategic direction through the development and implementation of policies.
• Shape new policy proposals for consideration by the GCF Board by providing evidence-based advice and authoritative policy leadership and by collaborating with subject matter experts to define or update GCF strategies, programmes, processes and/or operational modalities to enhance the Fund’s performance.
• Drive the implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance the coherence and impact of GCF policies, including opportunities for policy harmonization with other climate funds within the international climate finance landscape.  

Engagement

• Steer cross-functional collaboration across Secretariat Offices, Executive Leadership Team, and Independent Units, to ensure rigorous policy development, including robust stress testing and socialization of policy proposals, with thorough impact assessment and implementation planning, and effective policy implementation.
• Engage with and advise Secretariat’s Executive Leadership Team, GCF Board, Co-Chairs and Committees, working hand-in-hand with subject matter experts and the Office of Governance Affairs to build understanding of policy proposals and advance negotiations toward gaining consensus support for policy approval.
• Foster a culture of policy excellence across the Secretariat, including continuously evolving the Secretariat’s policy framework and policy cycle by staying abreast of cutting-edge policy approaches and best practices.

Delivery

• Direct the development and application of a robust policy framework across the Secretariat, consisting of policy manuals, standard operating procedures and guidance documents.
• Oversee the Secretariat policy cycle, working closely with the Director of Strategy, Policy and Innovation, and the Chief of Strategy and Impact as Chair of the Secretariat’s Policy Committee, as well as experts across the organization, to deliver a policy suite that is coherent, accessible, easy to understand and implementable, and in line with the standards set out in the Secretariat policy framework. 
• Lead the policy function team and build capacity across the Secretariat, in line with the policy framework, to enhance the quality of policy proposals and the effectiveness of policy implementation. 

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

• Masters or higher-level degree in law, international relations, economics or another relevant field; or Bachelors degree plus two (2) additional years of experience
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in institutional policy development, with preference of experience in government or international organizations, including experience in national or international policy development
• Demonstrated experience in team management, staff development and coaching
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management
• Extensive knowledge of climate finance and international development, with knowledge of GCF policies and programmes preferred
• Competencies: 
  • Analytical skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Project management and organizational skills 
  • Stakeholder engagement 
  • Effective communication
  • Leadership and team management
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage
   

The closing date for application is 03 February 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.