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 financial year 2023, IFC delivered 46% in own-account climate finance and mobilized an additional $6.8 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.

The Climate Transition Finance Team is leading IFC works financing corporate climate transitions to net-zero emissions. The team is building a systematic approach to build experience and capacity in Transition Finance and broadening engagement to support wider market adoption and growth. As a first step IFC has developed a draft sector-agnostic Transition Finance framework building on existing taxonomies and best practices for emerging economies, which is currently being piloted and operationalized for wider adoption. 

In this context, the Climate Transition Finance Team is seeking to hire a highly motivated Extended Term (E T) Consultant – Climate Industry Specialist, based in Washington, D.C., to support the Global Lead for Transition Finance. This pivotal role focuses on advancing IFC’s approach to Transition Finance within the real sector and hard-to-abate industries, playing a critical part in developing and refining the Transition Finance Framework, building capacity, engaging stakeholders, and piloting transition finance assessments to expand transactions.

This highly visible position offers the opportunity to lead significant initiatives that address the unique challenges of high-emission sectors in emerging markets. The Climate Industry Specialist will provide expert knowledge and guidance internally and externally on Transition Finance, decarbonization pathways, sustainable finance products, and net-zero pathways and corporate transition plans. The role involves close collaboration with a wide range of IFC staff—in particular strongly with industry counterparts in hard to abate sectors, regional, and corporate departments—and active engagement with external stakeholders such as standard-setting organizations (e.g., International Capital Markets Association (ICMA), Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)), regulators, industry associations, and clients.

By driving the development of practical guidelines, delivering targeted training, and influencing global standards to reflect emerging market perspectives, the specialist will contribute to IFC’s strategic climate-related priorities and initiatives. This role not only supports the expansion of transition finance in key sectors but also positions IFC as a leader in facilitating corporate transitions towards net-zero emissions in the real sector and hard-to-abate industries.

Duties and Accountabilities

The E T Consultant – Climate Industry Specialist will be a core member of the Climate Finance & Policy Team and is expected to contribute to solutions and execution of the team’s approach on Transition Finance. Accountabilities may include but not be limited to the following:

1. Methodology Development 

•  Lead Framework Update: Oversee the revision and rollout of IFC’s Transition Finance Framework, ensuring it is operationally relevant for real sector counterparts in emerging markets.
•  Integrate Sector-Specific Pathways: Incorporate regional and sector-specific decarbonization pathways, addressing the unique challenges of high-emission sectors such as energy, manufacturing, cement, and steel.
•  Develop Practical Guidelines: Create detailed guidelines and tools to facilitate practical application, meeting the real sector’s demand for specificity on net zero pathways and corporate transition plans.
•  Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with IFC industry departments, regional teams, and external experts to gather insights to validate and operationalize the framework and

2. Transaction Support and Pilot Structuring

Collaborate with IFC real sector teams to pinpoint viable transition finance opportunities in high-emitting sectors.
Analyze market trends and client portfolios to identify companies suitable for transition finance initiatives.
Support the industry led due diligence process by evaluating clients’ emissions profiles, sustainability commitments, and decarbonization strategies. Assess technical, financial, and environmental aspects of proposed projects to determine their alignment with transition finance criteria.
Support development of tailored financing solutions that align with IFC’s Transition Finance Framework and meet clients’ transition objectives.
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor clients’ progress on transition commitments post-investment.
Provide guidance on disclosure and reporting obligations, ensuring transparency and accountability in line with international best practices.
Document lessons learned and share best practices to inform future transactions and enhance IFC’s approach to transition finance.
Offer hands-on advisory assistance to IFC real sector teams and clients in high-emitting sectors, focusing on implementing transition plans and identifying investment opportunities.

3. Subject-Matter Expertise, Stakeholder Engagement, and Thought Leadership

•  Act as the Real Sector Lead on Transition Finance and corporate transition frameworks within IFC, with a particular focus on hard-to-abate sectors.
•  Provide deep insights into decarbonization pathways, climate metrics, corporate climate target setting, net-zero sectoral pathways, and mitigation investments specific to high-emitting industries.
•  Perform analyses to support IFC teams and clients in developing and implementing effective transition strategies.
•  Create essential materials and analytical tools to unlock transition finance for corporations, emphasizing Scope 3 emissions and supply chain decarbonization in emerging markets.
•  Engage with key organizations and industry associations, jointly with IFC industry and real sector teams, to spearhead IFC’s transition finance discussions for the real sector.
•  Produce thought leadership pieces, position papers, and policy briefs to shape ongoing discussions on transition finance frameworks and influence global standards to reflect emerging market perspectives.

4. Capacity Building and Industry Collaboration

•  Create comprehensive training modules, guidance notes, and practical tools tailored for the real sector to effectively apply transition finance principles.
•  Produce sector-specific materials addressing the unique needs of high-emission industries like energy, manufacturing, cement, and steel.
•  Organize and conduct webinars, workshops, and seminars for IFC real sector teams and clients to disseminate knowledge and best practices in transition finance.
•  Facilitate interactive sessions to build capacity within IFC and among clients in emerging markets.
•  Work closely with industry counterparts to understand their needs and incorporate feedback into training materials and tools.
•  Ensure the Transition Finance Framework and associated resources are practically applicable and beneficial to real sector stakeholders.
•  Address structural gaps hindering the expansion of transition finance in key sectors by providing targeted capacity-building initiatives

Selection Criteria

•  MBA or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Policy, Economics, Finance, or related fields. A Ph.D. is considered an asset.
•  Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in industry, with a significant focus on sustainability, climate mitigation/adaptation strategies, and green finance within high-emitting sectors.
•  Proven experience working with or within industrial companies in high-emitting sectors (e.g., energy, manufacturing, cement, steel, transport) and/or consulting firms specializing in these industries.
•  Demonstrated experience in leading the development and implementation of corporate climate transition strategies, including target setting, decarbonization pathways, and net-zero commitments.
•  Experience in structuring and executing transition finance transactions, including conducting due diligence, financial modeling, and deal negotiation.
•  Familiarity with International Finance Institutions (IFIs) financing operations; understanding of IFC investment cycles is a significant advantage.
Technical Expertise:
•  In-depth knowledge of corporate climate target setting, carbon footprinting, climate metrics, decarbonization pathways, and mitigation investments.
•  Expertise in Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions management, with a focus on supply chain decarbonization strategies in emerging markets.
•  Knowledge of international standards and frameworks such as the ICMA Climate Transition Finance Handbook, Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), TPT disclosures and CBI guidelines.
Skills and Competencies:
•  Strategic Thinker: Ability to conceptualize and implement innovative solutions that drive climate transition in emerging markets.
•  Project Management Skills: Proven ability to independently plan and deliver projects on time and within budget, ensuring quality results with attention to detail.
•  Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Strong capability to identify complex problems and develop effective solutions for climate finance challenges.
•  Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, training materials, and presentations.
•  Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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