INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

The Paris Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for signatory Parties to reach an ambitious

commitment to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C in a cooperative manner. This framework covers several instruments including cooperative approaches under Article 6 which allows signatory countries (and private sector entities authorized by these countries) to engage in international carbon transactions.

The Carbon Pricing Unit (CPU) of GGGI is a global leader in Article 6 international carbon trading technical assistance, implementing several programs since 2019 related to preparing and supporting countries in trading, opening up international carbon markets. The resultant flow of transactions is envisaged to build a robust and reliable global price for carbon, something many areas of the private sector have long called for as a way to motivate the transformational change needed to achieve the ambitious goals of Paris.

The Carbon Transaction Facility (CTF) is expected to be launched in October 2024 and will be the main delivery vehicle for GGGI’s Article 6 support to its’ member and partner countries. It will be a collection of single and multi-donor funds aimed at further developing and scaling up Article 6-based carbon markets. The CTF will not only support the readiness of countries to participate in Article 6 cooperative approaches through a learning by doing approach, but also enable transactions of Article 6 compliant mitigation outcomes, also known as ITMOs. GGGI will act as trustee for all trust funds within the CTF. CTF participants are sovereign parties looking to support potential seller countries in readiness. Several fund participants also seek to purchase ITMOs for meeting their own NDC or for higher ambition purposes such as carbon neutrality targets.

The GGGI Carbon Pricing team currently consists of 17 staff members, with a further 15 staff working through the matrix management structure on carbon. It is a global team with a vision to open up Article 6-aligned carbon markets to provide countries access to funding needed to implement their green growth paths and economic efficiencies that markets enable, helping in the efforts to meet the global climate goals. We believe in excellence in our delivery and aligning to the highest levels of environmental integrity; our track record has enabled us to become a global leader in this space. We are a diverse and participatory team that believes in a culture of growth. Our goal is to drive delivery of first to market transactions and to scale these by supporting our growing number of members and partner countries to access international Article 6-aligned carbon markets.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Carbon Trust Fund Manager will manage one of the purchasing trust funds of the GGGI Carbon Transaction Facility (CTF). The Fund Manager will need to meet the objectives of the relevant trust fund, building and managing a portfolio of transactions and related carbon projects. The trust fund includes a tranche of technical support which the Fund Manager will lead deployment of to bring projects to transaction stage.

PURPOSE

The Fund Manager will be responsible for managing one of the dedicated single or multi-donor trust funds of the CTF with the purpose of meeting its objectives to purchase ITMOs. The activities to be carried out by the Fund Manager are both technical and operational. From a technical standpoint, the Fund Manager will select potential Article 6 transactions and manage a technical assistance tranche by completing due diligence, overseeing the development of relevant carbon project documentation, undertaking relevant technical analysis and supporting as required to bring projects to the transaction stage. The Fund Manager will also be responsible for negotiating the contracts for carbon transactions – in accordance with fund rules and CTF guidelines, and as guided by fund participant(s) – to then further manage the portfolio of contracted projects within the fund.

From an operational viewpoint, the Fund Manager will lead the overall day-to-day management of the fund. This includes developing annual workplans and budgets, conducting risk assessments, as well as monitoring and reporting of progress of all fund activities (related both to ITMO purchasing and technical assistance). The Fund Manager will also ensure timely delivery of technical assistance outputs across multiple countries, support GGGI country-led activities related to carbon project development and manage the work of external consultants engaged to assist in delivering the technical work.

ENGAGEMENT

The Fund Manager will be part of the Trust Fund team of the Carbon Pricing Unit, which sits within the Investment and Policy Solutions Division (IPSD) of GGGI. S/he will manage a small team of support staff directly and through the matrix management structure will direct project staff in country in addition to external consultants. S/he will coordinate closely with the operations team within the unit who will be responsible for providing support on monitoring, reporting, accounting and communications for all the trust funds under the CTF. The Carbon Trust Fund Manager will report to the Lead, Trust Funds in the Carbon Pricing Unit.

DELIVERY

The Fund Manager is expected to select suitable emission reducing activities presented via the CTF’s Matchmaking function or other agreed channels in the form of Mitigation Activity Idea Notes (MAINs) for presentation to fund participant(s) and acceptance into the fund. Once selected the Fund Manager must prudently use the technical assistance funding within the fund to support the activity to a stage where the fund participant(s) and fund manager are confident the activity will operate and successfully generate ITMOs. The Fund Manager will then ensure successful delivery of ITMOs into the fund over the contract period, and onward delivery to the participant(s)’ registry (or retirement, as required). Specific tasks include:

• Prepare and manage the selection process of MAINs through the Matchmaking function of the CTF or through other agreed channels.
• Lead the technical assistance tranche of the fund. The Fund Manager must define activities, prepare TORs for consultants, review deliverables, and discuss and agree time allocations for staff from other GGGI offices to carry out specified activities.
• Negotiate required contractual documentation between the selling entity in the host country and the fund participant(s), ensuring alignment and agreement on the various features of an Article 6 carbon transaction.
• When required, oversee and facilitate bilateral agreements between fund participant(s) and the host country where mitigation activities are located.
• Ensure successful implementation of mitigation activities and subsequent successful delivery of ITMOs to the fund.
• Work with relevant host country teams to ensure support to host country governments regarding authorization of mitigation outcomes and application of corresponding adjustments.
• Coordinate closely with CTF operational unit and oversee the delivery process ensuring all steps are completed to deliver ITMOs and make payments.
• Develop and manage overall fund-related workplans and budgets, along with keeping track of spending at all times. Support for financial reporting will be given by the operations team within CPU.
• Deliver high quality outputs on time and within budget and build credible program reputation.
• Design guidelines, templates, methods, and processes for reporting on fund activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of fund activities, aligning to donor requirements and priorities across all technical assistance activities and transactions managed.
• Coordinate activities in different countries within GGGI membership, manage quality of outputs generated by GGGI internal focal points, and external resources.
• Analyze risks associated with fund operations, maintain a risk register, and develop mitigation plans.
• Manage staff through onboarding, KPI setting, Annual Performance Reviews, Career Progression. Ensure regular 1:1 meetings to guide staff and ensure well-being.
• Support and encourage the positive and open culture of growth in the CPU team
• Lead communication/outreach efforts aligned with the fund and fund participant(s) priorities.
• Actively participate in CPU team meetings to share knowledge and learn from others.
• Participate in external events as and when requested to share GGGI’s work to the wider carbon community and beyond.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree relevant to climate action, climate finance, carbon markets, and/or environmental policies design.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in international and country-level work experience, with strong evidence of operational program related work.
• A minimum of two years living and working outside of home country. Candidates that don’t have international experience under GGGI’s guidelines can be considered for national positions at the same grade level.
• Proven track record in project management, including planning, reporting and financial management.
• Strong experience in multi-county coordination.
• Knowledge of carbon markets and international carbon pricing/trading, particularly under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
• Well established networks among key individuals and organizations related to carbon pricing, capacity building and mitigation project origination is highly desirable.
• Sound managerial skills with proven capacity to recruit, manage and motivate project team members in complex, highly decentralized and matrixed organizational settings.

FUNCTIONAL

• Understanding of carbon markets, differing market constructs such as domestic trading schemes and international carbon trading as governed by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as well as the potential use of voluntary standards within the context of Article 6.
• Understanding of carbon transactions and how these can be structured, including the different perspectives from a seller’s and buyer’s standpoint, risk sharing aspects and key obligations of contracting parties.
• Understanding of international climate policy negotiations and related agreements (Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, CORSIA) and related concepts (additionality, environmental integrity, carbon budgets) and how these relate to Nationally Determined Contributions to ensure environmental integrity.
• Strong knowledge on co-benefits estimation and the establishment of social and environmental safeguards (“do no harm” approach).
• Ability to initiate, review, synthesize information and produce high quality written reports (in English).
• Independent, with ability to establish priorities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Convincing written and oral communication and presentation skills in English, to prepare material for the governments both in written format and in person.
• Solid skills using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• An excellent command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of other relevant languages (e.g. Spanish or French) is an asset.
• Calm, diplomatic, positive, able to effectively work under pressure in a challenging context with a diverse and dispersed set of stakeholders.

CORPORATE

• Project management: Proven ability to independently plan and complete projects that deliver quality outcomes in a timely and inclusive manner.
• Proactive nature: Demonstratable ability to produce initial guiding material to lead a project and share knowledge.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver products or presentations that are concise, easy to understand and influential.
• Innovative: Ability to apply knowledge and experience in new contexts and environments.
• Influencing change: Track record of engaging effectively to secure buy in, underpinned by strong listening, trust building, influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Team player: Capacity to be selfless team member, to operate across organizational boundaries, and maintain a resilient, positive, and results-focused mindset in a dynamic environment.
• Promotes an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.

Note: Relocation to Seoul is highly preferred. Alternatively, it could be considered for the successful candidate to be located in the Luxembourg City GGGI office. Please indicate if you have a requirement for a specific preference in your Cover Letter when submitting the application.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is an X9, international grade level in GGGI’s salary scale. For internal purposes, according to GGGI’s internal job guidelines, the nominal title of the position will be Senior Officer, Carbon Pricing Unit. This title will be reflected in the contract and internal systems of the organization. However, for external purposes, the title will remain the same as advertised.

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.