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.

Kiribati is a founding member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Together the Government of Kiribati and GGGI have been working to address targeted needs in green-growth, climate adaptation and mitigation and sustainable, low-carbon, development. GGGI seeks to complement the Government objective of the Kiribati National Vision 2016-2036 and works across a number of sectors in Kiribati including climate-smart agriculture, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, green-preneurship and green business development, climate finance absorption and climate finance network.

The Government of Kiribati acknowledges climate change as a national priority. The Office of the President leads on climate matters through the Climate Change Division. The Climate Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) is the national designated authority (NDA) for climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund.

The NDA, in collaboration with GGGI as the Delivery Partner, sought Readiness funding from the GCF that aims to implement the following climate priorities to improve Kiribati’s capacity to access climate finance and successfully engage with the Green Climate Fund through the project pipeline. To achieve this, the Readiness grant will focus on the following objectives:

1. Build and strengthen human, technical and institutional capacity within the NDA and across government, private sector and civil society organisations to undertake climate mandates,
2. Strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of the internal coordination and communication mechanisms across ministries and stakeholder groups to reduce duplication, improve climate planning and programming and successfully move projects through the pipeline,
3. Develop and implement climate finance-related strategies and plans including no objection procedures, and the Country Programme,
4. Support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) to strengthen its policies and procedures, including their implementation, for the GCF FMCA re-accreditation, ensuring a strong and viable national delivery partner.

The CFD hosts the GCF Readiness Project Management Unit (PMU). The CFD Director coordinates with the GGGI, as the Delivery Partner for this GCF Readiness 2 Project, as well as other key stakeholders.

This GCF Readiness 2 Project is funded by the Green Climate Fund for a two-year duration ending in March 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Associate, Climate Finance Coordinator, will be based in Tarawa, Kiribati, embedded in the Climate Finance Division (CFD), in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The Climate Finance Coordinator will work alongside the Director of the CFD to build collaborative relationships within MFED and other key climate finance partners in Kiribati, in particular with the Office of the President, members of the Kiribati Expert Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (the KNEG), non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, through the implementation of the GCF Readiness 2 Project.

PURPOSE

The Senior Associate, Climate Finance Coordinator will assist in strengthening the national climate finance coordination mechanisms in Kiribati through bridging the information and coordination gap between the CFD office and the OB Climate Change Unit and supporting on stakeholder and climate related matters. The Climate Finance Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Addressing the gaps in coordination, communication and engagement across the climate landscape in Kiribati, by improving coordination at the inter-agency level through (a) the Kiribati National Experts Group and its Technical Working Groups, and (b) between the NDA’s Climate Finance Division and the Office of Te Beretitienti’s Climate Change unit.
• Strengthening the coordination role, and building recognition of, the function of the Kiribati National Expert Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KNEG), which serves as the conduit and review / advisory body for all climate-related initiatives and projects in Kiribati.
• Supporting the Kiribati National Expert Group (KNEG) and its Technical Working Groups to build project ideas and prioritise a project pipeline to develop concept notes and funding proposals; and support the development of communications strategies and plans to engage with stakeholders

ENGAGEMENT

The Climate Finance Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Readiness 2 Project Officer, while working closely with the Director of the Climate Finance Division. S/he will be the focal point for government counterparts. The Climate Finance Coordinator will establish and maintain the coordination and communication pathways between the Office of the President’s (OB) Climate Change Unit and CFD as well as building relationships and networks with stakeholders across government, private sector, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, and communities.

DELIVERY

The Climate Finance Coordinator will be expected to:

• Establish and maintain coordination and communication pathways between the OB Climate Change Unit and CFD to improve the national coordination and communication at the national level.
• Supporting and promoting the KNEG and its Technical Working Groups through ensuring the operational functioning of the KNEG; reviewing the function and membership of the KNEG to promote its importance in climate related decision-making; and supporting the OB Climate Change unit and the KNEG in ensuring information on initiatives and projects and relevant policy guidance is packaged and presented for meetings.
• Providing support to the KNEG Technical Working Groups (TWG) to effectively bring project ideas for discussion and further development through the climate finance pipeline and facilitating the national approval process.
• Support the CFD and OB in raising the visibility of the KNEG through a targeted communication campaign, stakeholder engagements sessions and development of a Communication Strategy to engage and raise awareness on climate finance.
• Facilitate and coordinate climate finance discussions/meetings/workshops between the KNEG members and other key stakeholders.
• Gather data and information through research and participation in project consultations and assessments, to inform the coordination and prioritization of Kiribati Country Programme and project pipeline
• Contribute to maintaining a database of external and internal stakeholders, and collect, develop, and disseminate information to them in collaboration with the Communications Officer and other PMU staff
• Maintain all necessary information and documentation of the development of readiness activities to provide project updates to the Project Manager and relevant internal stakeholders.
• Assist the Project Manager in completing quarterly, yearly, and final progress and finalization reporting of the project.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, in a relevant field such as development studies, climate change, natural resources management, business administration, economics or similar field. Postgraduate studies are an advantage.
• Preferably a minimum of two to four years of experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge or understanding of climate finance and GCF processes is an advantage.
• Knowledge and understanding of climate change related issues in Kiribati or the Pacific are preferred.
• Proven track record in advising stakeholder-led processes in climate change, environment, or natural resource management, including successful collaboration within diverse project teams and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Proficiency in English is a must. Knowledge of both written and spoken I-Kiribati is preferred.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Teams, and SharePoint, along with familiarity with online tools such as Zoom is required.

FUNCTIONAL

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision to meet tight deadlines.

• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills.

• Innovative thinker, able to see opportunities across different sectors/disciplines.

• Anticipate and provide necessary technical and content-based support.

• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, client relationship, communication and consensus building skills.

• Team work and creative problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams; has stakeholder engagement, client relationship, and consensus building skills.

CORPORATE

• Promotes an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.

• Excels at problem solving, asking questions, and seeking support when needed, easily shares information and knowledge with others both internally and externally.

• Builds rapport and resolves conflicts easily.

• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.

• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; including public speaking.

• Understands and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Determination of base salary is subject to candidate’s experience, academic background and internal equity.

• GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.
• 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.
• The chosen candidate is expected to be based within the Climate Finance Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in Tarawa, Kiribati.