Climate Finance Specialist, Head of Climate Finance Unit in Benin

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

PURPOSE

• Provide strategic and operational leadership in establishing and operationalizing the Climate Finance Unit (CFU) and overseeing the effective implementation of the program in Benin, in close alignment with GGGI’s global strategies and internal structures
• Serve as the senior advisor to the Ministry of Finance and Economy, deliverying high-level tehnical guidance and innovative solutions to achive ambitious climate finance targets and help mainstream green finance into national financial systems withing the mandate of the CFU initiative.
• Oversee and ensure the delivery of high-impact outputs outputs in collaboration with the relevant GGGI internal structures.
• Lead the strategic expansion and scaling of the CFU, to accelerate the increase in capacity to mobilize green finance and investments for Benin
• Champion knowledge sharing by ensuring that lessons learned, success stories, and best practices are effectively captured and disseminated across the program and within GGGI’s global network.

ENGAGEMENT

• Provide strategic oversight, mentorship, and quality assurance to the CFU team members
• Lead cross-functional coordination with key GGGI departments (Geen investment / Sustainable Finance team, HR, legal, procurement, Africa Regional Office, Carbon Pricing Unit, Communication, etc.) to ensure efficiency and high-quality delivery.
• Facilitate high-level inter-ministerial coordination (e.g., Environment, Transport, Planning) to align climate finance with national priorities
• Cultivate and sustain strong, trust-based relationships with key government stakeholders, relevant national parties leading the day-to-day communication (supported by the Benin Country Program Lead, the West Africa Representative and the GGGI ARO GIS Unit whenever it is necessary).
• Engage government partners in relevant policy, enabling framework, recognizing the importance of government buy-in and ownership.
• Exercise strategic agility and diplomacy in managing evolving stakeholder interests, ensuring adaptive program implementation that reflects local priorities and maximizes impact.

DELIVERY

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the timely, high-quality implementation across all outcome areas including institutional setup, capacity building activities, as well as the development of a robust pipeline for climate and sustainable financing in Benin.
• Guide and support the operationalization of the Carbon Project Registration Authority (AEPC), ensuring alignment with its mandate, institutional framework, and government expectations under close coordination with the AEPC management.
• Ensure the delivery of impactful, high quality project outputs on time and within budget that meet program objectives, GGGI standards as well as government and resource partner requirements.
• Plan and co-deliver in close collaboration with the relevant GGGI internal structures climate finance capacity building events (in both French and English) to target beneficiaries including the public and private sector, including on key Article 6 concepts and options to key government and other stakeholders.
• Oversee regulatory impact assessments by collecting relevant data and information and engaging local stakeholders.
• Facilitate the negotiation and signing of key agreements with the government.
• Lead the planning and facilitation of key project workshops and meetings with key stakeholders in Benin.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of program interventions, providing strategic recommendations to improve delivery, accelerate progress toward milestones, and maximize program impact..
• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation, timely submission of donor reports and deliverables, regularly evaluate project results, and guide project implementation to achieve maximum impact.
• Clear and timely reporting on project delivery as required by the Funding Agreement and Operational Guidelines.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the CFU’s impact on climate finance mobilization.
• Undertake other strategic assignments as agreed, contributing to broader GGGI objectives and regional climate finance efforts

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree (master's) relevant to climate/green finance (e.g. economics, finance, or similar. Others can be considered if relevance can be determined through complementary academic achievements).
• 10+ years of experience in climate/green finance solutions preferably in more than one of the following: climate/green project bankability and structuring, blended finance instruments, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), guarantees, debt instruments (GSS bonds, debt-for-nature swaps), Green loans and Article 6 carbon markets
• A minimum of two years of international professional experience, excluding study abroad
• A track record in engaging private investors/banks for climate finance mobilization.
• Demonstrated understanding of the international climate finance landscape, the Paris Agreement
• A track record in in day-to-day engagement with Government ministries and agencies, including technical assistance 
• Proven experience in requirements and procedures of climate funds (e.g. GCF, GEF)
• Relevant policy approaches and regulatory tools development (thematic bonds taxonomy) are an advantage
• A track record with bilateral donors/organizations or multilateral organizations is an advantage.
• A track record in organizing consultations, validation meetings, workshops, and capacity building events.
• A track record designing and delivering technical training on climate finance for diverse stakeholders, including high-level authorities, CSOs, local officials, financial institutions, and the private sector.
• Experience working in relevant fields in developing countries an advantage
• Experience in West or sub Saharan Africa is highly desirable
• Skills in using Microsoft Office.

FUNCTIONAL

• Strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and solutions-oriented, with good ability to multitask and work in a matrix.
• Ability to review, synthesize information and produce high quality reports.
• Ability to absorb and understand technical information and relay it to others.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills (presentations, speeches, trainings)
• Detail-oriented striving for quality and consistency in all outputs and communications.
• Output-oriented, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial drive.
• Problem solver, able to find and implement solutions.
• Ability to establish priorities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Highly organized and able to effectively and efficiently multi-task and prioritize.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English and a demonstrated working knowledge in French adequate to meet the needs of the day-to-day work at the Ministry and life in Benin.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills.
• Comfortable working both in a team as well as independently.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision, and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
• Excels problem solving, asking questions and seeks support when needed, easily shares information and knowledge with others both internally and externally.
• Manage emotions and stress positively.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflicts constructively.
• Ability to work effectively in hybrid/remote settings with global teams.
• Be able to lead and manage a project independently, while knowing when to seek advice and liaise closely with the relevant GGGI structures.

This position is contingent upon the availability of funding.