Climate Change Jobs

I.  Background

Established in 2010 by the 194 countries that are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) takes pride in its role as the world’s largest dedicated climate fund. GCF finances transformative climate projects across developing countries, empowering them to respond to and combat climate change while promoting sustainable development within their communities.

In addition to mobilising public and private sector investments through a diverse range of financing instruments, GCF strengthens the capacity of developing countries to undertake climate action through the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (the Readiness Programme). This initiative equips countries with the necessary resources to build foundations, skills, and capacities to effectively secure and manage climate financing.

In line with our commitment to enhancing national capacities, the 2024-2027 strategy for the Readiness Programme introduces a placement scheme available upon request from countries – via their National Designated Authorities (NDA) and focal points, – to deploy local experts within NDAs or other relevant agencies designated by the country that will be known as GCF Liaison Officers. These embedded experts will aim to ensure continuous, effective engagement with GCF, imparting knowledge of GCF policies, systems and processes and facilitating the development of programming capacities and enhanced direct access to climate finance for the achievement of national climate objectives.

II. Role

The GCF Liaison Officer will act as the primary liaison between the GCF Secretariat and the country, providing essential support to the NDA or relevant agency in all matters concerning GCF climate action. This role entails close coordination with stakeholders relevant to the GCF activities in the country to ensure their seamless execution, including country programming, accreditation, readiness support conceptualisation and oversight, project preparation and implementation and other related activities.  

III. Objectives 

The placement scheme through the role of the GCF Liaison Officer aims to support the NDA in achieving the following objectives:

• To enhance the capacity of the NDA and relevant agencies to plan, develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation concept notes and funding proposals
• To support the NDA and/or relevant agencies in developing and implementing GCF country programmes, including facilitating the set up or improvement of coordination with relevant stakeholders;
• To assist in accessing, developing, and implementing integrated programmes of readiness activities in the country;
• To raise awareness and facilitate understanding in the country of the GCF funding windows, policies and processes; and
• To facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development among local stakeholders and communities.

IV. Responsibilities 

The following responsibilities to ensure the successful implementation of the placement scheme:

4.1 Country Programme

• Facilitate and assist the NDA in the implementation of the country programme, including reporting annually and identifying challenges and opportunities to discuss with the NDA and GCF Secretariat.
• Support the review and update of Kiribati’s country programme , following the GCF guidance for country programmes;
• Assist the NDA in coordinating consultative processes within the country to identify key areas for results related to the implementation of NDC and Kiribati Joint Implementation Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management and other national development strategies and plans and subsequently supporting priority project/programme ideas;
• Assist in the process of identifying potential partners for the implementation of the Country Programme; and
• Assist in the development and review of country programme drafts in collaboration with the NDA and GCF Secretariat teams, ensuring timely processing and incorporation of feedback; 

4.2 Readiness 

• Engage/assist the NDA in co-developing draft TOR for readiness support if and as needed, in close coordination with the GCF Secretariat. This is based on the medium-term strategic planning and includes outlining specific support areas, required expertise and resources to address capacity gaps effectively, ensuring alignment with national priorities;
• Assist the NDA to facilitate stakeholder engagement through transparent and effective communication with relevant country stakeholders, including sector ministries, strategic planning, executing entities, the non-government stakeholders and private sector, subnational entities, development partners, GCF accredited entities and civil society organizations such as women’s groups, youth, academia, Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This approach adheres to GCF best practices for country coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement. The goal is to identify capacity gaps that inform the development and implementation of the TORs for readiness support;
• Assist in completing the Financial Management Capacity Assessment (FMCA) form[1], if and as required;
• Support the NDA with adaptative management requests as required; and
• As required by the NDA, contribute to midterm reviews of readiness activities, and provide input for adjusting initial TORs as needed.

[1]  The implementing entity that will undertake approved readiness activities is known as the delivery partner. Delivery partners can be the NDAs themselves, or any other entity, including GCF Accredited Entities. The nominated delivery partners that are not accredited to GCF must undergo an FMCA in order to be deemed eligible to implement readiness grant support.

4.3 Pipeline Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting        

• Contribute to capacity-building by imparting skills and knowledge to the NDA and relevant stakeholders to successfully develop, advance and implement climate investments;
• In coordination with the GCF Secretariat, provide advice, guidance and clarifications to the NDA, accredited entities, and other stakeholders on GCF policies, procedures and instruments to successfully develop, advance and implement climate investments;
• Assist the NDA in the development of project ideas, concept notes and funding proposals in close collaboration with the GCF Secretariat, the NDA and accredited entities;
• Assist the NDA to facilitate stakeholder discussions to gather necessary information throughout the project cycle stages;
• Support the NDA to maintain regular communication with accredited entities to report to the GCF Secretariat and help resolve any issues that may arise during the implementation of GCF investments in the country;
• Support the NDA and relevant agencies with the preparation of country portfolio results reporting as required by the GCF Secretariat; and
• Assist the NDA in the organization of relevant events to showcase GCF results.