SUSTAINABLE FINANCE SENIOR ASSOCIATE, COLOMBIA

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. 

Since 2013, GGGI has been working with the Government of Colombia to advance green growth policies and green investments, through strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Treasury and Public Credit, the National Planning Department, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and subnational institutions. GGGI Colombia has grown significantly over the past few years and has transformed into a portfolio-based country program, with programs and projects of varied sizes covering various GGGI Programmatic Solutions, including Sustainable Forests, Solar PV, Climate Resilient Agriculture, Climate Action, and Green Investments. 

During 2024, GGGI and Canada have designed the project 'Gender-Responsive Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Transforming Cesar's Sustainable Future,' which aims to promote inclusive economic growth and climate resilience through the implementation of innovative EbA solutions. The project seeks to contribute to Colombia's adaptation goals and targets while creating resilient territories

GGGI has a rapidly expanding sustainable finance portfolio, assisting public and private financial sector actors to design, structure and bring to the market innovative sustainable finance solutions, including green, social and sustainability bonds, sustainability-linked instruments, debt for nature/climate swaps, green credit and guarantee schemes. Since 2017, GGGI has successfully mobilized investment commitments exceeding USD 10 billion towards its member countries’ NDC and SDG goals.

POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Bogota, the Sustainable Finance Senior Associate will support the GGGI’s sustainable finance activities in Colombia, with special focus on the implementation of the Gender-Responsive Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Transforming Cesar's Sustainable Future project, funded by Canada.

The Senior Associate will support the identification, engagement and technical assistance to public and private financial sector actors to accelerate the design of innovative sustainable finance instruments, including but not limited to thematic bonds, to increase the flow of finance Andean countries’ NDC and SDG goals.

PURPOSE

• Delivery of technical assistance to public and private finance sector actors in Colombia to develop sustainable finance instruments to secure long-term concession capital, including thematic bonds (green, social and sustainability). 

• Support investments projects cycle, including origination, evaluation, structuring, negotiating, and financial advisory until financial close of transactions. 

• Foster articulation and coordinate efforts with sustainable finance projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in the Andean region.

• Conduct socio-economic characterizations and environmental and social impacts assessments.

• Support delivery of ongoing projects in the investment Pipeline.

• Research and compile case studies and other illustrative materials that give guidance and comparative experience on possible green investment projects to share with country teams.

ENGAGEMENT

• Support the engagement with the Colombian government on sustainable finance and green investment workstreams.

• Support the relationships with ministries of finance and environment, local financial institutions, national development banks, international financial institutions, and international climate funds.

• Engage with public and private financial sector actors to originate sustainable finance opportunities.

• Work closely with the Sustainable Finance team of the LAC Regional Office.

• Build and maintain a network of partner Second Party Opinion providers, Stock Exchanges, partner Arrangers, institutional investors, and perspective issuers.

• Will report directly to the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer.

DELIVERY

• Support the design and structuring of sustainable finance instruments.

• Support the identification and development of investment projects in Colombia.

• Support data collection, analyses, and stakeholder engagement to develop green business models targeting agri-business and environmental stakeholders.

• Assist in providing technical support to the Ministry of Finance, the National Guarantee Fund, the private financial sector, and other key stakeholders to design and implement sustainable finance instruments, regulations, and policies, including, but not limited to, taxonomies, climate-budget tagging, climate finance strategies, international climate funds’ funding proposals, thematic bonds, and swaps.

• Support the risk assessment and inclusion of social, gender, and climate components.

• Draft investment documentation and interpret complex term sheets under the guidance of the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer.

• Provide analytical support in identifying and developing financing mechanisms and instruments.

• Support sustainable finance training programs focusing on women and youth-led organizations and MSMEs.

• Assist issuers to screen, identify, prioritize and select eligible green projects.

• Undertake other relevant tasks as assigned by the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• A national of Colombia, or possess a valid working visa

• Bachelor's degree in Economy, Finance, Public Administration or other related fields.

• An advanced degree in Finance, Public Administration, Economics, International Affairs or another relevant field is valued.

• Preferred 5 years of professional experience in sustainable finance.

• Prior experience with green, social, or sustainable bonds is a strong asset.

• Familiarity with national and international taxonomies is a strong asset (e.g. EU taxonomy, Climate Bond Initiative).

• Experience and familiarity with sustainable finance and sustainable banking standards is an asset.

• Experience in ESG compliance and social, gender, and climate change risk management is a strong asset.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish are essential for this position.

• Experience designing financial instruments for infrastructure project development/assessment/finance, and economic/financial analysis of infrastructure investment.

• Experience with climate finance and investment banking is a plus.

• Able to create and analyze financial models and financial statements.

FUNCTIONAL

• Commitment and willingness to work across time zones.

• Exceptional analytical skills, alongside strong synthesis skills.

• Excellent ability to multi-task and prioritize under stressful circumstances.

• Attention to detail, quality control and strong organizational abilities.

• Ability to interact and maintain working relations with financial sector stakeholders and government officials and partners.

• Excels at problem solving, ask questions and seeks support when needed, shares easily knowledge with others both internally as externally.

• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.

• Promote the optimum use of public resources. 

• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.

• Process and share information easily.

• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolve conflict easily.

• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.

• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Sustainable Finance Senior Associate is an X7 grade level in GGGI's Colombia national salary Scale. The salary range for the position starts at USD 22,196. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate's experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision. GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

The date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English.