Conservation International (CI) was the first NGO to be accredited as Implementing Agency under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the largest public fund for climate change and low emissions development in the world. The GCF Implementing Agency leads these efforts that have significantly raised CI’s profile among developed and developing country leaders, public donors, finance institutions and UN Agencies at a global level.
The Vice President, GCF Implementing Agency is a multifaceted, visionary leader representing all of CI’s programs at a global level, and interacting with the largest public donors at the highest level. S/he oversees CI’s role as an Implementing Agency for the GCF, playing a pivotal role in raising significant funding towards CI’s global fundraising campaign. Funding will be raised for large scale programs and projects that are implemented by the Agency and executed by CI programs and third parties. This position will work closely with CI’s Chairman’s Office, Executive Vice Presidents, Regional Senior Vice Presidents, and country leaders to identify new large strategic opportunities for CI and expand its operations in line with CI’s strategy and priorities.
As lead contact for the GCF, the Vice President interacts with the GCF at CEO/Executive Director and senior management level, represents CI in negotiations on behalf of the Agency, oversees the development and implementation of CI’s global outreach strategy and oversees a global team of experts that are responsible for project and program pipeline development and monitoring of project and program execution. This position represents CI in the Agency networks and interacts on behalf of the Agency with peers such as the World Bank, regional development banks, UN Agencies and other accredited agencies.
This position is responsible for supervising an ambitious growth model for the Agency while ensuring the establishment of Agency that operates according to the highest internationally recognized standards of program and project implementation. S/he will work towards creating an Agency that will ultimately be self-sustaining based on a fee structure that will support program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Development and Implementation
Develop and operationalize an Agency that will eventually be self-sustaining and income generating.
Supervise the operationalization of CI’s GCF Implementing Agency by:
- Developing a strategic framework for the Agency, overseeing the development of an operations manual including the design of the Agency processes and procedures as well as an Agency monitoring and evaluation plan.
- Ensuring collaboration and coordination with CI’s HQ Units/Divisions, and Regional and Country Field Offices to create a well-managed pipeline of eligible GCF projects
- Overseeing the development and management of CI portfolio of GCF projects, project pipeline and the timely submission of project-related reports in line with the GCF requirements;
- Overseeing the effective management of CI’s GCF projects throughout their life cycle
Strategic Development
- Develop a clear and succinct organization-wide CI-GCF strategy in line with CI’s Strategic Objectives and oversee its implementation
- Evaluate the Agency’s annual performance and ensure the Agency’s highest level of performance using adaptive management measures
- Lead the development of medium-term and annual strategies and work plans for the Agency
- Oversee the development and implementation of the Agency’s annual budget
- Ensure effective communication with internal and external partners
Representation
- Liaise with the GCF Board and Secretariat, with the other GCF agencies and other key actors.
- Represent CI at international/inter-governmental meetings and conferences
- Develop strategic partnerships, best practices and increased policy dialogues and develop and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national partners
Supervisory
- The VP oversees a team of people and supervises directly the Senior Director, Project development and Implementation and a Coordinator. The VP is supported by a Director, Finance and Operations as well as external contractors. The VP manages, with the support of the Finance and Operations Director, an annual operational budget.
- Authority to engage with and represent the s Agency with donor representatives and partner organizations
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- This position reports to CI-Headquarters in Arlington, VA (location negotiable)
- Normal office environment.
- Travel of up to 40% time.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- Masters Degree or higher education in environmental science or natural resource management.
- At least 15 years professional, progressive experience including managing, designing, implementing and assessing publicly funded natural resource management and/or international development projects in developing countries.
- Proven ability to engage with a variety of external partners and key stakeholders at senior decision making levels in governments, bilateral and multilateral institutions, development organizations and NGO’s.
- Proven ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies, network, developing and managing high level partnerships with government agencies. Proven ability to design and prepare quality proposals that meet donor interests.
- Track record in project formulation of natural resource management and international development projects.
- Relevant work experience in climate change, global conservation and international development sector.
- Advanced analytical and strategic thinking skills due to the high level of job complexity and responsibility.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of international policies related to climate change, biodiversity, natural resource management, poverty alleviation and international development. Expert understanding of current global scale trends and practices in major disciplines of global change and biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, economic development and policy, agriculture and trade, environment and health, and natural resource management.
- Strong leadership and visionary capability, including evidence of working with multidisciplinary teams in a non-hierarchical manner. Strong capability to motivate and inspire team members, including setting appropriate performance goals on substance and for career development.
- Proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment and to meet deadlines and manage time and diverse activities. Proven capacity to build teams and interact as a constructive team player in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
- Ability to work under pressure and deadlines without compromising working standards and high quality results.
- Ability to change approaches as necessary and respond accordingly to changes in the global environment.
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills. Proven skills in conflict management, problem solving and management of change.
Preferred:
Capacity to work in at least two other languages (French, Spanish, or Portuguese) will be appreciated.
