Project Assistant – GNIplus Kenya

Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is looking for a Project Assistant to support the research, design and implementation of a new climate finance program in Kenya – GNI^plus.

The post requires a strong understanding of the climate change policy environment in Kenya, confidence in the management of complex datasets, a good network of relevant stakeholders and experience and enthusiasm for the subject matter.

The Project Assistant position is foreseen as a full-time role from June 2019 on a one-year consultancy contract.

ABOUT GNI^plus

Combining the strengths of three world-leading organizations – Climate Policy Initiative, Baker & McKenzie, and AECOM – GNI^plus provides governments with the best available policy, technical, financial, governance, and legal expertise to support the implementation of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement. GNI^plus also supports governments as they work to mobilize private investment and create long-term, sustainable growth and development.

GNI^plus Kenya is a three-year program funded by the German International Climate Initiative (IKI). GNI^plus will work in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, through the Climate Change Directorate (CCD), and in collaboration with the National Treasury and relevant sectoral ministries and other public and private stakeholders to help the Government of Kenya achieve its NDC goals.

GNI^plus will use its local team and international experts to: reform legal, policy, financial, institutional, and governance frameworks; stress-test the designs of infrastructure projects; and develop financial tools and instruments to de-risk investment and mobilize private finance at scale. GNI^plus will maximize impact by building on its partners’ existing collaborations with governments, multilateral agencies, and private investors to facilitate climate action by enhancing current national strategies and initiatives.

As well as working on climate finance mobilization across sectors, GNI^plus will do a deep dive into two sectors – these sectors will be forestry and water.

ABOUT CPI

Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) works to improve the most important energy and land use policies around the world, with a particular focus on finance. CPI supports decision makers through in-depth analysis on what works and what does not. CPI works in places that provide the most potential for policy impact, including Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and the United States. CPI is a small but dynamic organization, with a global reach and an entrepreneurial culture. We work hard to maintain an idea-driven, collaborative environment across all our teams.

CPI is Lead Partner in the GNI^plus Consortium and be responsible for project management, as well as leading the climate finance outputs which will create the analytical evidence base and tools to support the mobilization of public and private investments into climate mitigation and /or adaptation. GNI^plus is establishing a Nairobi based team to manage the project, provide local expertise and networks as well as delivering on the ground support to the target groups to build capacity and implement the analytical activities outlined in the work packages.

The advertised role is for an individual consultant, who can work closely with CPI’s GNI^plus Project Manager and global team, to support on the implementation of the program, specifically; climate finance tracking with the National Treasury and Planning.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Project Assistant will be responsible for coordinating GNI^plus activities with the National Treasury and Planning and will be based in Nairobi, in the Climate Finance Unit of the National Treasury. They will be expected to provide strategic input and insight into activities and planning, as well as coordinating data collection and analysis to enhance GNI^plus activities. The role will report directly to the GNI^plus Project Manager, and work closely with the wider GNI^plus Consortium.

Includes the following tasks and others as assigned:

• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships with key partners in Kenya, including: relevant Ministries in the Government of Kenya; the private sector; and, donor organizations.
• Act as a coordination point for the GNI^plus project within the National Treasury and Planning
• Assist the Climate Finance Unit with the data collection for the climate finance tracking of GNI^plus. This will require data collection from The National Treasury and other relevant Ministries. The individual will also support the CPI team with data analysis and definition building.
• In addition the role will facilitate the delivery of key tasks for the project with the National Treasury; logistics for events, invitations to key meetings, circulating documents and feeding back progress.
• Provide strategic input into the consortium’s GNI^plus outputs and be prepared to communicate outputs from across the program effectively in meetings and/ or events.
• Provide support to the GNI^plus project manager and team in the coordination of stakeholder meetings, coordination of Consortium trips, GNI^plus events and capacity building activities.
• Assist in the writing and editing of high-quality GNI^plus products.
• Communicate and collaborate with GNI^plus team working around the globe.
• Any other duties as may be assigned for GNI^plus from the Project Manager and the Climate Finance Unit Focal Point.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

• At least one year of professional experience in climate policy, finance and international development
• Knowledge of Kenyan policy environment required, and experience working in the public sector is strongly preferred 
• Experience working with the National Treasury is preferred
• Strong numerical and analytical skill, excellent knowledge of Excel.
• Strong networks across relevant public and private climate sector is required
• Effective communication, presentation and persuasion skills
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject is required
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• Applicants must have the right to live and work in Kenya

DURATION

The Project Assistant position is foreseen as a full-time role from June 2019 on a one year consultancy contract.

CPI wishes to engage the individual on a consultancy contract, so the individual will be responsible for any mandatory salary contributions (e.g. taxes, pension, healthcare….).

APPLICATION REQURIEMENTS

Applicants should submit: 

• A maximum 3-page cover letter/statement of suitability outlining relevant expertise, including project examples
• Two-page maximum CV outlining qualifications and employment history
• Please confirm your availability from 1^st June 2019

Applications should be submitted by 27^th May via the CPI website. Any questions can be submitted to GNIplus@cpiclimatefinance.org

SALARY

To be discussed and will be agreed depending on experience.