Description

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. With operations in over 100 countries, we leverage our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC investments hit record $56 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create a world free of poverty 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 a Senior Extended Time Consultant (ETC) to be based in Washington DC.

Duties & Accountabilities

The Senior ETC will support the Climate & Policy Finance team with a diverse range of tasks to ensure consistency, thorough documentation, and effective monitoring of Paris Alignment and Climate Finance across IFC’s investment operations, with a focus on real sectors, especially Agribusiness and Forestry. Key responsibilities include:

Paris Alignment Implementation: Collaborate within the Team and across departments in ensuring investments align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement through screening, assessment and supervision. This includes:

•  Conducting detailed assessments of IFC investments for Paris Alignment, including climate mitigation and adaptation/resilience, as part of investment due diligence and supervision.
•  Conducting thorough research on IFC clients’ decarbonization plans and strategies to inform decision-making.
•  Supporting the development and refinement of processes, tools, guidelines and internal policies to incorporate Paris Alignment throughout IFC’s investment cycle to ensure compliance and add value to clients.
•  Contributing to the development of training materials and conducting sessions on Paris Alignment for investment teams and other relevant departments.

Climate and Nature Finance: Enable the growth of IFC’s climate and nature finance program, both in terms of own account and mobilization, while preventing greenwashing risks and ensuring the integrity of climate and nature finance. This includes:
•  Assessing the eligibility of IFC investments under the MDB Common Principles for Mitigation and Adaptation Finance and the WBG approach to measuring nature finance.
•  Assisting clients and investment teams in structuring sustainable finance instruments (e.g., green bonds, green loans, sustainability-linked loans, and transition finance), aligning with clients’ climate commitments and IFC’s climate and nature financing objectives.
•  Leading in the development and review of climate- and nature-related methodologies, sectoral policies, and guidance.

Thought Leadership
•  Provide subject-matter expertise on sector-level climate pathways, investment strategies, risk management, and target setting for high-emitting sectors, aligning with relevant climate policies.
•  Represent IFC in Joint MDB Working Groups, contributing to discussions on Paris Alignment and Climate Finance.
•  Support the regular update of internal industry guidance notes to align with the latest Joint MDB Common Principles for Climate Finance and Paris Alignment standards.
•  Contribute to enhance IFC’s climate business reporting.

Other Responsibilities
•  Assist the unit in coordinating staffing and resource management to support timely delivery across Paris Alignment, Climate Finance, Nature Finance, Sustainable Finance, and GHG Accounting.
•  Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment, fostering teamwork and knowledge sharing within the team and across IFC departments.
•  Take on additional tasks as required to meet evolving team goals and priorities.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Public Policy, Science, or Engineering.
•  Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience, ideally in climate finance, Paris Alignment, GHG emissions assessment, or development finance.
•  Experience with decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors. Familiarity with the Agribusiness sector is a plus.
•  Experience working in emerging markets.
•  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

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