Role purpose

The CIF is seeking a Deputy CEO for the CIF Secretariat which is at the center of the CIF governance structure. There are currently forty-five full-time employees as well as several consultants. This pivotal role stands at the center of CIF’s leadership, supporting the CEO in the implementation of the CIF strategy. People Management skills, a vision for automation, efficiency and modernization of products, services and processes, and a robust client and stakeholder management orientation are essential characteristics for success in this position. Expertise, knowledge and experience in the financing of climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and multilateral development bank operations, and an understanding of capital markets, are also essential.

The CIF Secretariat facilitates the overall strategic coordination of CIF work between the CIF governing bodies, the Trust Fund Committees which are comprised of an equal number of contributor and recipient country members, the MDBs that serve as the CIF's co-financiers and implementing agencies, and the World Bank as Trustee and host of the Secretariat, and other relevant stakeholders. The Secretariat also facilitates coordination with the Treasury Manager of CIF capital market mechanisms. It delivers an extensive program of thought leadership, knowledge, and learning work and is responsible for portfolio risk management and new private sector capital mobilization modalities and initiatives. As the Deputy CEO, you would play a role in leading and supporting all these functions, as described more precisely below.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Deputy CEO will provide thought leadership on innovative climate finance and will manage the Secretariat’s work program, staff and budget. She/he will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Investment Funds and will be based in Washington, D.C.

The role will focus on CIF Secretariat management and operations, allowing the CEO to focus more on strategic issues and fulfill increasing external obligations. The Deputy will be responsible for promoting a culture of respect and trust at all levels of the organization and among external partners. S/he will ensure effective internal communication, knowledge sharing, and other cross- cutting Secretariat functions for efficient program implementation, acting as facilitator and caretaker, coach and mentor, and will have role-specific and shared responsibilities including, but not limited to:

Finance and Operations

• Financial Management: Oversee the CIF Secretariat budget, coordinate the annual budget and business plan preparation, and manage finance and risk team leads.
• Trust Fund Management: Collaborate with the Trustee on the financial management of the CIF trust funds and ensure compliance with applicable World Bank Group policies and procedures.
• Financial Integration: Oversee the financial integration of the planned CIF's capital markets mechanism (CCMM) from operations, financial reporting, and risk management perspectives.
• Private Capital Sector: Work with stakeholders including MDBs to design, develop and oversee CIF’s private sector/private capital programmatic approach.
• Oversight of the implementation of new CIF programs.

People Management

• Lead, motivate, and mentor staff to achieve organizational goals. Oversee work program management, workforce planning, and people systems, in accordance with The World Bank systems and processes as they apply to CIF.
• Set and monitor performance goals aligned with the Secretariat's strategic direction.
• Oversee recruitment and training of new staff.
• Lead the performance assessment of Secretariat staff and their talent and professional development.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment that supports the team's well-being, engagement, productivity, and accountability.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Provide oversight and guidance over the Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) function.
• Provide high-level strategic management of integration and system formation of M&R into core CIF programming.

General strategy, external relations, stakeholder management

• Support the CEO in matters related to general strategy, external relations, stakeholder management.
• Oversee Secretariat activities covering the existing operations. Work with Secretariat program teams on program design, management and the Secretariat's role in overseeing and reporting on investment plan implementation.

MDB Engagement

• Help manage relations and MDB engagement with the CIF.
• Oversee the design and implementation of a comprehensive CIF operations manual.

Profile

The ideal candidate will possess as many of the following qualifications as possible:

• Master's Degree or equivalent: In finance, business, economics, international relations, public affairs, climate, environment/natural resources, or a related field.
• Experience: At least 12 years of progressive management experience in climate finance, blended finance, clean energy, clean technologies, infrastructure, or adaptation/resilience sectors.
• Expertise: A deep understanding of the current climate finance landscape, including development finance trends and the broader financial system architecture.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to tackle complex challenges, find effective solutions, and communicate diplomatically with diverse global stakeholders.
• Governance: Experience managing multi-stakeholder boards or organizations, demonstrating success in complex governance structures.
• Leadership: A track record of recruiting, inspiring, and developing diverse teams of senior professionals.
• People Management: Proven track record of managing multicultural and cross-functional teams, allocating and communicating tasks based on the team’s strengths and weaknesses and evaluating performances.
• Project Management: Proven success in planning, implementing, and managing project strategies, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Performance Measurement: Experience evaluating and optimizing a funding/resourcing organization with a lean structure and large resources.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and at global events. Fluency in English is essential, and additional languages are desirable.
• Global Experience: Experience working in two world regions or a combination of one world region and a global/corporate role.

Terms of Appointment

This position is a 4-year term appointment, renewable once up to four years. As the CIF Secretariat is hosted by the World Bank, the Secretariat staff's contracts of employment are entered into with the World Bank and World Bank Staff Rules and Principles and benefits apply. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a regular, open-ended position, they will retain their regular, open-ended position. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life, and disability insurance, paid leave, parental leave, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal-opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce. We do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

Role Location

Washington, D.C.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 21 October 2024 (23:59 hrs, GMT -4). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) to undertake this assignment.