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.

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, and leading climate impact measurement. The team is also responsible for contributing to high integrity carbon market development, in line with the World Bank Group’s Roadmap on Carbon Markets unveiled at COP28. In this context, IFC is working to aggregate market demand for carbon credits and facilitate the monetization of credits generated by World Bank-financed projects. Additionally, IFC is involved in policy dialogue with key stakeholders to develop better functioning carbon markets and is actively engaged with developers and fund managers to support investment opportunities that meet its “deal acceptance criteria.”

The Climate Finance & Policy Team seeks to hire a Principal Operations Officer to serve as the Global Lead for Carbon Finance, based in Paris, France, and reporting to the Global Manager of Climate Finance & Policy. The Global Lead is also expected to play a leadership role within IFC’s newly established Paris Climate Hub which aims to leverage the European ecosystem, foster cross-industry collaboration, support business development, grow climate finance mobilization, establish strong partnerships with local and regional stakeholders, and contribute to knowledge, research, and capacity building. 

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Principal Operations Officer – Carbon Specialist’s responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Leadership & Management

• Contribute to IFC’s climate program delivery, strategy setting, and team management as part of the senior leadership of the Climate Finance & Policy Team.
• Develop and implement IFC’s carbon finance strategy and contribute to the broader World Bank Group’s Roadmap on Carbon Markets, in close collaboration with IFC Industry departments, the World Bank, and MIGA.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Paris Climate Hub team to achieve its objectives related to business development, climate finance mobilization, and knowledge sharing.
• Mentor colleagues of the Climate Finance & Policy Team and the Paris Climate Hub.
• Promote effective teamwork and knowledge sharing among team members and across units.

Business Development and Delivery

• Identify and develop new carbon finance opportunities and projects that meet IFC’s “deal acceptance criteria” and can generate investment and private capital mobilization.
• Support the development of innovative platforms, tools, and structures that position IFC as a player in the carbon markets sector.
• Assist investment teams with the internal processing of carbon projects globally, considering commercial risks and opportunities, integrity matters, and impact.
• Contribute to the business development objectives of the Paris Climate Hub in close collaboration with the Paris Head of Client Coverage and Industry colleagues.

Policy Dialogue & Partnerships

• Lead the technical dialogue on behalf of IFC for developing better-functioning carbon markets, including in relation to Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM), Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and compliance markets.
• Collaborate with the wider WBG and foster partnerships with key stakeholders in the carbon finance ecosystem—including regulators, investors, project developers, and other financial institutions/private investors—to enhance IFC’s role and influence in global carbon markets and scale up private investment in GHG abatement projects.
• Contribute to productive engagements with key stakeholders on carbon finance-related issues, including shareholders, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), clients, and other financial institutions.
• Contribute to the Paris Climate Hub’s objective to better integrate IFC’s Climate business with the Paris and broader European ecosystem for climate finance.

Thought Leadership and Knowledge Management

• Provide subject-matter expertise, quantitative analysis and operational leadership for carbon and climate finance innovation.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, research, and developments in the field of carbon finance, and efficiently distill and share relevant information with colleagues.
• Provide thought leadership within IFC and collaborate with the Economics department in the production of external pieces.
• Lead efforts to build IFC’s internal capacity on carbon finance and markets. Contribute to the development of a Knowledge Management strategy, trainings, tools, and materials to build IFC’s internal capacity on carbon markets.
• Keep IFC’s community of practice on carbon markets actively engaged.

Communication

• Represent IFC at conferences and events on carbon finance and markets to enhance IFC’s reputation as a leader in climate finance.
• Contribute to IFC’s communication on carbon finance and to the communication of the Paris Climate Hub.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for the Principal Operations Officer – Carbon Specialist, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Education

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field such as sustainable finance, public administration, business administration, environmental economics, development studies, or engineering.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 20 years of relevant professional experience in climate change, carbon markets, sustainable finance, or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in carbon finance.
• Experience in project management, including planning, organizing, and executing climate-related projects.

Technical Skills

• Proven experience in carbon finance and knowledge of sustainable finance instruments.
• In-depth knowledge of climate change mitigation, decarbonization, GHG accounting, and climate adaptation/resilience.
• Thorough understanding of climate change and development challenges, key climate change policy and market issues, including the latest developments of the field.
• Strong understanding of the IFC investment cycle.
• Aptitude for research and leveraging external knowledge and partnerships.
• Ability to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products.
• Good knowledge of the French/European ecosystem for climate change.

Leadership and Management Skills

• Demonstrated leadership in driving climate-related initiatives and projects.
• Experience in leading teams, managing stakeholders, and influencing decision-making processes.
• Ability to think strategically and provide innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French; fluency in other languages is an advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.

Mobility

• Be ready to travel as needed to pursue opportunities and to connect with the Washington, DC-based team.

Team Player

• Show the ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Function as a team player, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment.

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.