Investment Officer, Plastics Circularity

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. 

Mekong-Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation on Bridging the Financing Gap for Plastics Circularity Infrastructure through Bankable Projects, Policy, and Knowledge Sharing (the “MKCPC”) is a 2.5-year, USD 1 million regional project aimed at developing a functional market for recycled plastic waste that would result in the financing of plastic waste management infrastructure at scale, contributing to plastics circularity in the Mekong region. The Project seeks to achieve this objective through the following three interventions (i.e., outputs):

• Output 1. Development of two (2) bankable plastic waste management projects
• Output 2. Policy recommendations to address the financing gap for plastic waste management projects
• Output 3. Regional capacity building and knowledge sharing on addressing the plastics circularity financing gap
  
  

POSITION SUMMARY

• Reporting to the Investment Lead, the Investment Officer, Plastic Circularity (“Investment Officer”), plays a critical role in the successful completion of the Output 1 (Development of two (2) bankable plastic waste management projects) of the Project.
• The Investment Officer works closely with the consultants to be hired under MKCPC’s Output 1 – Origination Consultant(s) and Design Consultant(s) – to deliver Outputs 1 in Thailand as well as with the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), GGGI’s implementing partner for Output 3 and 4.  
• The Investment Officer will be assisting the Investment Lead in implementing the MKCPC project. This will involve providing support in monitoring project plans, project outputs, project outcomes, schedules, budgets, and expenditures, organizing and participating in stakeholder meetings and ensuring that project deadlines are met in a timely manner and in line with the project KPIs under the guidance of the Country Representative and the Investment Lead.

Tasks include:

• In close cooperation with the Investment Lead and Consultants, originate and develop project opportunities in the plastic circularity sector.
• Oversee the quality of the results as well as effective and efficient delivery of results and adapt project cycle and enhance project implementation process to ensure project outcomes are delivered as planned.
• Ensure successful completion of the project deliverables detailed in the Project Agreement.

PURPOSE

The Investment Officer is directly responsible for all stages of the investment cycle (i.e., origination, design, financing, and implementation) and undertakes both technical and administrative tasks associated with each stage. He/she also utilizes the budget to devise creative structures/arrangements that mobilize substantial co-investment from external parties to plastic waste management projects. Specific tasks include, among others,

• Analyzing the investment need in Thailand with respect to plastic waste management (particularly the government’s preferences and priorities), the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches to designing plastic waste management sub-projects, potential entry points for private sector firms and financial institutions, etc.
• Adapting the latest developments in plastic waste management methodology to design sub-project ideas tailored to Thailand. He/she must strive to go beyond process-oriented implementation and achieve superlative outcomes through technical expertise as well as by bringing competent organizations on board as implementation partners. He/she should, therefore, be someone who is constantly seeking to learn and optimize while also being excellent at communicating such knowledge.
• Applying the information and results (both interim and final) to achieve plastic circularity at scale and originate new sub-projects. The MKCPC, upon completion, would have established a strong foundation for a variety of subsequent projects on plastic waste management; by having a strong pipeline of sub-projects, he/she will contribute to the drafting of follow-up regional/national proposals that (i) replicate/scale-up proven approaches or (ii) seek to develop more ambitious/innovative solutions.

ENGAGEMENT

The Investment Officer will engage various stakeholders (e.g., national/provincial/municipal government agencies, bilateral/multilateral agencies, private sector firms and financial institutions, research institutions and academia, NGOs, and local communities) by:

• Analyzing the nature of relationships between GGGI and stakeholders in Thailand with respect to MKCPC – both those that already exist and those that are yet to be established but are necessary for the project’s success – and develop strategies to build, strengthen, and maintain such relationships. In doing so, he/she must clearly articulate the nature of the relationship, particularly on how their involvement adds value to the delivery of Output 1.
• Providing substantive input to potential partners so that their engagement is aligned with the goals of Output 1 specifically and MKCPC in Thailand generally. He/she must, therefore, have a complete grasp of the present and future trajectory of a sub-project’s implementation-related discussions/negotiations (especially on risk allocation) leading up to the signing of all implementation-related agreements. He/she shall therefore serve as an effective convenor and communicator, ensuring that there is a shared understanding of the sub-project among all implementation partners.
• Leading salient dialogue with government agencies, implementation partners, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders on matters related to Output 1 throughout a sub-project’s implementation phase. This may range from responding to a request for additional information to discussing a contractual amendment to certain activities to account for an unforeseen obstacle or delay.
• Collaborating with the project team members and the Consultants to organize and coordinate the day-to-day activities.
• Supporting in the communication with the donor and other development partners to ensure alignment and complementarity.
• Participating as GGGI representative in the Project Steering Committee. 
  
  

DELIVERY

The Investment Officer will, based on guidance from and supervision of the Investment Lead,

• Monitor outcomes from major national/regional/international fora as well as GGGI’s project portfolio to identify emerging needs in Thailand related to plastic waste management.
• Originate, design, finance, and implement plastic waste management sub-projects in Thailand to achieve measurable and verifiable plastic circularity, utilizing the budget to develop creative structures/arrangements,
• Identify opportunities to (i) engage entities based in the Republic of Korea at each stage of the investment cycle (e.g., Korean technology providers, think tanks, project developers, etc.) and (ii) mobilize additional resources from external parties to deliver results at scale,
• Manage engagement with stakeholders of sub-projects to be delivered under Output 1,
  Plan and manage missions to gather baseline data, consult stakeholders, validate assumptions, and assess the political/operational/technical feasibility of sub-projects to be delivered under Output 1,
• Manage the delivery of Output 1 by (i) preparing a work plan, (ii) holding regular meetings with external stakeholders, (iii) procuring competent service providers, (iv) managing the budget and contract(s) related to the output, (v) anticipating and addressing risks, (vi) solving problems of technical or operational nature, and (vii) communicating the results effectively,
• Coordinate activities, exchange information and private technical advice to contribute to the achievement of overall project objectives.
• Develop technical and communication materials, support efforts to enhance dialogue among stakeholders, and disseminate lessons learned with GGGI staff, governmental partners, donors and other key stakeholders.
• Collection and submission of information for monitoring and evaluation purposes, as well as for technical reporting and administrative reporting needs.
• Identify, manage and report risks and execute mitigation measures.
• Understand and comply with all administrative and reporting rules as required by the Government of Thailand, GGGI HQ, and Mekong-Republic of Korea (ROK) Cooperation Fund MKCF (with respect to Output 1),
• Support the delivery of Outputs 2 and 3, and,
• Have an up-to-date knowledge of GGGI processes, standards, and safeguards and following/adhering to them through the investment cycle.

 
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Project Management, Finance, Business, Economics, International Relations, Engineering, Plastic Recycling (additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a postgraduate degree).
• Preferred 6 years of relevant work experience, preferably in Thailand, managing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and project coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management and report writing in English and in Thai.
• Demonstrated experience in Thailand in government engagement, project planning and with donor is asset.
• Proven success in building productive working relationships with donors and other development partners.
• Exceptional skills in building productive working relationships with colleagues, multiple stakeholders, donors and other development partners.
• Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation systems within a performance-based management context.
• Experience with the management of projects funded by the Korean government is an advantage.
• Fluency in English (Both written and spoken) is required.

FUNCTIONAL

• Detail-oriented striving for quality and consistency in all outputs and communication.
• Strong people skills, including ability to understand team strengths and weaknesses.
• Ability to perform analysis of management and administrative matters in team and under time constraints.
• Output-oriented, creativity mindset, innovation and entrepreneurial drive.
• Excellent organizational and management understanding, ability to prioritize.
• Previous experience in managing activities and deliverables that are supported and/or implemented by both international and local consultants.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Problem solving skills, culture of information and knowledge sharing.
• Strong ability to resolve conflicts.
• Strong ability to work independently and in team.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

ROA oversees a diverse portfolio of projects in the South, Southeast, and Central Asia region, assisting GGGI Member States cultivate sustainable development models to drive their economic growth. Its main functions include comprehending the unique requirements of each country, forging robust partnerships with stakeholders and collaborators involved in regional sustainable development initiatives, and developing regional projects and programs in policy and/or investment.