Special Assistant to the Executive Director

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 Special Assistant to the Executive Director 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 climate finance that offers stimulating challenges. 

Role    

The Special Assistant will report to to the Executive Director. S/he will support the Executive Director with tasks relevant to the day-to-day running of the Secretariat, including communication with internal and external stakeholders, supervision of operations, and preparation for Board meetings. The Special Assistant plays a key role in assisting the Executive Director in liaising with the staff of the Secretariat.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Executive Director, s/he will be responsible for:

• Managing the Executive Director’s strategic outreach plan;
• Communicating with counterparts as needed, including the Fund’s Board members/alternate members;
• Managing the Front Office’s workflow;
• Fostering seamless coordination across the operating divisions of the Secretariat;
• If requested, accompanying the Executive Director on selected missions; and
• Assisting with other necessary tasks as defined by the Executive Director as they present themselves.

Required experience and qualifications

• Advanced university degree in economics, international relations, law or related subjects; specialized studies relevant to climate finance or policy, public policy, or related areas are an advantage;
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in a professional capacity relevant to the post;
• Experience working in international organizations;
• Organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure;
• Dynamic, detail-orientated and dependable;
• Ability to work under strict timelines, and at high speed, coordinating a variety of internal and external actors for the delivery of tasks related to the post;
• Willingness and enthusiasm to travel;
• General experience with document preparation and communication;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language an advantage;  
• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level, with the following: (a) Proven application of expertise (b) Able to act as a team leader when required, with supervision from the team head (c) A team-player with a proactive and can-do attitude
• Applications from women and citizens 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: “Special Assistant to the Executive Director”   

Please indicate your earliest availability to take up assignment, and no t ice-period required, if employed.    Shortlisting will start on 20 March 2015 and will continue until the position is filled.