Project Finance Specialist

The Green Climate Fund (“the Fund”) is a new multilateral fund created to make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts towards attaining the goals set by the international community to combat climate change. 

The Fund will contribute to the achievement of the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the context of sustainable development, the Fund will promote the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways by providing support to developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, taking into account the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

The Fund is governed by a Board, composed of an equal representation of developed and developing countries. The Fund is operated by an independent Secretariat headed by an Executive Director. The Fund will pursue a country-driven approach in its operations.

The Project Finance Specialist will be based at the Fund’s headquarters in Songdo, Incheon City, Republic of Korea. The position is for an initial three year period. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a start-up in international organization that offers stimulating challenges.

Role

The Fund’s business model is to co-invest into projects through financial intermediaries that will act as the Fund’s agent. The Project Finance Specialist will be responsible for working with partner institutions to originate and ensure the smooth execution of Private Sector Project Finance investments by the Fund. S/he will be responsible for structuring and executing solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders in a balanced manner, taking into consideration key risks and mitigants as well as the Fund’s six Investment Criteria. This will entail working closely with intermediaries to ensure that the Fund’s resources are used in a manner that promotes low emission and climate resilient projects that are scalable and/or replicable and that promote economic development.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Director of Private Sector Facility, the Project Finance Specialist will be responsible for:

• Reviewing, evaluating and executing project finance investment proposals;

• Working with the Fund’s Risk Manager and Financial Intermediaries (co-investors) to structure solutions that address/mitigate risks and the Fund’s Investment Criteria;

• Building and operating financial models and analysis (pro-forma and scenarios);

• Recommending pricing for GCF exposure;

• Structuring / drafting / reviewing / negotiating, in cooperation with Legal Counsel, agreements and legal documents (e.g. investment, loan, collateral, inter-agency, inter-creditor agreements);

• Conducting analysis and due diligence;

• Managing Deal Data Rooms;

• Managing relationships with investors, project sponsors, peers and other stakeholders to: (a) aware of changes in the financial landscape that are relevant to climate change; and (b) structure appropriate solutions and conduct required due diligence on investments;

• Drafting investment proposals and approval documents;

• Managing the transaction process and seek/obtain relevant approvals;

• Managing third party project advisors and consultants;

• Managing deal sourcing mechanisms and processes; and

• Developing and drafting business plans, policies and procedures as they pertain to project finance.

Required experience and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; MBA / CFA / Professional Designation preferred;

• Minimum of 8 years of work experience in structured finance, investment banking, or private equity with experience in Project Finance deals; candidate should have started as an analyst in a

• top tier bank (private sector or multilateral) and worked his or her way up;

• Experience in project finance (debt and or equity), project bonds, and private placements is strongly desired;

• Experience within climate change (including renewable energy, public transportation, etc.) and/or developing markets is advantageous;

• Experience with workouts is desirable;

• Experience in other areas of finance is desirable; this role will be expected to provide support (back-up) to other Private Sector Finance Specialists when necessary;

• Experience structuring deals with development banks will be favorably considered;

• Experience building and managing intricate financial models, drafting and negotiating contracts, and drafting approval notes for investment and credit committees;

• Exceptionally strong track record of working within cross functional teams to structure, drive and close deals;

• Passion about delivery and focus on results;

• Ability to embrace and adapt to change;

• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage;

• Applications from women and nationals from developing countries are strongly encouraged.

The compensation benefits for this key position will be internationally competitive and reflect the importance of the role.

Interested candidates, are required to send an email attaching their CV and a letter of interest in a single file to: recruitment@gcfund.org

File name: “[last name], [first name]” (e.g. Olsson, Anna)
Subject line: “Project Finance Specialist”

Please indicate your earliest availability to take up assignment, and notice-period required, if employed.
Shortlisting will start on 10 March 2015 and will continue until 24 March 2015.