[Associate] Operations Officer – Climate Specialist
Washington DC, United States
JOB DETAIL
Description
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
Climate action is at the core of IFC’s business. In fiscal year 2024, IFC delivered $9.1 billion in own-account long-term climate finance and mobilized an additional $10.2 billion. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021 – 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as “Paris Alignment”). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.
IFC’s Climate Business Department is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan and achieving Paris Alignment. The Department’s responsibilities include supporting IFC’s investment and advisory teams in identifying climate investments, tracking committed climate finance, collaborating on IFC’s Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), developing analytical tools, leading climate risk management, and fostering thought leadership through publications and external partnerships. These efforts aim to scale IFC’s climate impact and prevent greenwashing.
The Climate Finance & Policy Team within this Department is tasked with mainstreaming Paris alignment in IFC’s operations, assessing climate finance in investments, aiding in structuring sustainable/green finance instruments, contributing to carbon market development, and leading climate impact measurement, including GHG accounting and financed emissions. The team also significantly contributes to climate risk assessment and reporting.
In this context, the Climate Finance & Policy Team is looking to hire an [Associate] Operations Officer to be based in Washington DC.
Duties and Accountabilities
The [Associate] Operations Officer will be tasked with the following:
Paris Alignment Implementation
• Conduct thorough assessments of IFC investments for Paris Alignment, covering climate mitigation and adaptation/resilience across sectors.
• Assist in the development of processes, guidelines, internal policies, and IT systems to embed Paris Alignment considerations throughout IFC’s investment cycle.
• Prepare training materials and deliver sessions on Paris Alignment for investment teams and other IFC departments.
• Facilitate coordination with other multilateral development banks (MDBs) to enhance consistency in Paris Alignment assessments.
Climate Finance
• Assess the eligibility of IFC investments under the MDB Common Principles for Mitigation and Adaptation Finance across sectors.
• Support the development and updating of processes, guidelines, and policies to strengthen climate finance practice across IFC’s operations.
• Lead the quality control over climate finance data for IFC’s own account and mobilization.
• Assist in structuring sustainable finance instruments like green bonds, green loans, sustainability-linked loans, and adaptation finance.
GHG Accounting, Climate Data and Metrics
• Perform GHG accounting for relevant IFC projects.
• Contribute to improving IFC’s GHG accounting methodologies and systems for measuring financed emissions.
• Support the development of systems to improve climate data reporting, including in relation to Board reporting, Climate-related Financial Disclosures, the Corporate Scorecard, and other internal and external reporting.
• Lead the quality control over climate-related data.
Other Responsibilities
• Stay updated on emerging trends in climate finance, carbon finance, and Paris Alignment.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, promoting knowledge sharing with industry departments and other teams.
• Undertake additional duties as needed in response to evolving team objectives and priorities.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Public Policy, Science, or Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience, ideally in climate finance, Paris Alignment, GHG emissions assessment, or development finance.
• Strong understanding of global climate finance frameworks, the Joint MDB Common Principles for Climate Finance Tracking, IFI GHG Accounting Methodologies, and the MDB Methodological Framework for Paris Alignment; familiarity with the UNFCCC is an asset.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines, prioritize effectively, and manage unexpected work demands.
• Strong independent work ethic and attention to detail.
• Capacity to work across sectors and functions to address common challenges.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; additional languages are advantageous.
• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills, operating effectively across organizational boundaries.
• Passion for global development and promoting low-carbon growth, climate mitigation, and adaptation.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
location
JOBS YOU WILL LOVE
