Program Officer, Green Climate Fund - 22101

Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Program Officer, Green Climate Fund.

Major Function

World Wildlife Fund-United States (WWF-US), one of the world’s leading environment organizations, seeks a Program Officer (PO) for its Green Climate Fund (GCF) Accredited Entity (AE) unit, part of the WWF-US Climate Team. As an accredited entity to the GCF, WWF works to bring innovative and transformational projects featuring large-scale, nature-based solutions that protect, restore and manage ecosystems to enhance adaptation and reduce emissions, as well as providing other benefits. The WWF-US GCF Accredited Entity unit is the designated entity within the WWF network managing the relationship with the GCF Secretariat. The unit is tasked with overseeing the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects under WWF’s GCF partnership and ensuring compliance with GCF policies and WWF standards throughout the project cycle. The GCF Accredited Entity unit is part of the broader WWF-US Climate Team, one of six goal teams within WWF-US collectively working to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.

Working closely with other members of the GCF Accredited Entity unit and other teams across WWF (including staff from finance, legal, safeguards and operations) – as well as third party contractors (‘project developers’) supporting GCF-related tasks on behalf of WWF – the PO will support the GCF unit with a variety of key portfolio management and operational tasks to support WWF’s partnership with the GCF, namely: (i) tracking/managing WWF’s pipeline of projects for the GCF across all phases of the project cycle (idea origination to project closure); (ii) planning and scheduling unit meetings, events and field missions; (iii) assembling and refining project documents for submission to the GCF secretariat in compliance with GCF and WWF standards; (iv) assisting with quality assurance, oversight and implementation support tasks for GCF projects where needed; and (v) coordinating WWF’s responses to GCF inquiries, events and policy changes.

Responsibilities

• Pipeline/Portfolio Management: Develops and manages a comprehensive database and associated tracking tools to monitor WWF’s GCF project pipeline. Under the guidance of project developers regularly incorporates updates from various parts of the WWF network and third-party consultants working on GCF-related assignments to ensure accurate and real time status of WWF’s priority GCF projects and pipeline. Produces regular status reports for senior management and WWF teams/consultants as needed. Manages and updates WWF’s GCF website. Supports the development and updating of WWF’s Entity Work Programme, a GCF-specific document developed by each accredited entity with support from the Country Programming Division of the GCF that provides an overview of the AE's areas of work, priority sectors and experience in implementing projects and programmes.
• Project Management: Works with the GCF Accredited Entity unit to coordinate work sessions with project teams in the US, WWF offices around the world and government/private sector partners in countries where WWF is designing or implementing GCF-funded projects. Prepare workplans and track project related deadlines. Identify risks to project preparation timelines and resourcing and escalate to senior management for action. Assist in preparation of funding proposal submission packages to the GCF secretariat.
• Project Development/Research: Research technical topics to support GCF project development, including assessment of issues/risks to the GCF portfolio and pipeline in countries where WWF proposes projects; status of the relevant GCF Country Work Program; status of other complementary initiatives/programmes in the country; and lessons learned from GCF and non-GCF projects in the target geography. Provides editorial support in reviewing WWF Concept Notes and Funding Proposals and other submissions to the GCF secretariat. In collaboration with other unit staff, coordinate and ensure compliance of project documentation with WWF and GCF standards throughout project development phase.
• Grants and Contracts: Leads development and issuance of GCF project-based grants and contracts and related payments to WWF offices and/or partners working on GCF projects. Works with other members of the unit and project developers on preparing Terms of Reference, descriptions of deliverables, pricing rate information and payment schedules. Serves as the primary point of contact within the unit for incoming invoices, tracking their progress through WWF and troubleshooting as needed.
• Representation/relationship management: Represents WWF’s GCF Accredited Entity with the GCF Secretariat including in project consultation sessions, technical supervision missions, national structured dialogues, GCF-convened regional and thematic workshops and other key international events. Supports the VP and Lead – GCF Relationships with WWF’s relationship management strategy with the GCF.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 4 to 6 years professional experience in project/program management, natural resource management, climate change adaptation/mitigation, international development. Or 2 years relevant experience with an advanced degree is preferred, in Environmental Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Engineering, Information Science, Finance, Law, Environmental Economics, Climate Change.
• Good understanding of the global climate institutional architecture and associated financial mechanisms; experience working with multilateral environmental funds is a plus
• Demonstrated experience in at least one task related to portfolio/pipeline management, including (but not limited to) database management; monitoring and evaluation; preparation of reports; and/or use of project management tools (Gantt charts, scorecards, tracking tools, etc.).
• Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, to meet deadlines and commitments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills requiring knowing when to use courtesy, tact and/or diplomacy to effectively communicate with all constituents
• High degree of proficiency with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Fluency in Spanish is an advantage
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page**,  Requisition #22101**
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.