Project Manager: Financial Institutions and Climate

Role and responsibilites 

The Project Manager will contribute to I4CE‘s research activities in the field of development finance and support the implementation the Initiative’s work programme. He/she will work under the supervision of the Senior Project manager in charge of public development banks (also Head of the Initiative) and will ultimately be reporting to the Finance Programme director.

Production of original research and contribution to public debates

The Project Manager’s main activities will be to contribute to research and public debate on the role of public development banks in aligning international financial flows with Paris Agreement objectives. His/Her work will cover a broad range of topics related to the integration of climate considerations into the investment decisions of public and private financial institutions, including climate risk management, alignment with the Paris Agreement, and the impact of financial institutions’ actions on the transformation of real economy.

In relation to this area of work, the Project Manager will be expected to:

• contribute to the identification of relevant research topics (identifying the main issues to be examined, analysing the inherent political agenda and possible actions to be taken to position I4CE on this theme, etc.);
• build convincing project proposals (participating in the search for partners and sponsors, identifying potential funders, developing a draft proposal and budget)
• be responsible for one or several research projects (project management, literature review, conducting interviews, developing case studies, organising expert workshops, writing, integrating reviewers’ comments, layout, communication);
• support the information and analytical needs of team members and partners that may be related to other project requests,
• contribute to increasing the impact of I4CE’s research programme by participating in the communication effort (social networks, websites, press relations), and contributing to engagement with I4CE’s network (attending working groups, external events…).

Participate in the implementation of Mainstreaming Climate in Financial Institutions’ work programme:

The Project Manager will work under the supervision of the Head of the Secretariat and in close collaboration with the current Secretariat Project Manager to contribute to the implementation of the Initiative’s work programme. These tasks may include but are not limited to:

• organisation and facilitation of technical exchanges between financial institutions: drafting of event concept notes, organisation of webinars, workshops and public events, monitoring of priority topics, contribution to case studies as appropriate.
• facilitation of exchanges between financial institutions: facilitation of focus groups, responding to members’ requests, participation in interviews.
• implementation of the communication strategy (including content production).
• contribution to strategic discussions: participation in coordination group meetings (including the drafting of minutes), contribution to the elaboration of the annual work programme, and to annual reports when needed.

Experience and competencies 

The position is aimed at an individual with a minimum of 5 or more years of prior applied research and project management experience and an MSc or PhD level of education related to climate change and/or sustainable development.

This position requires a strong knowledge of climate issues for the financial sector. Experience in a research centre or a financial institution working on climate-related considerations (alignment of financial operations, climate risk management, transition planning, etc.) and/or development finance is desired.

The candidate should be able to integrate into an international work environment team and be available for occasional travel abroad for conferences, meetings, and events. Perfect command of spoken and written English is essential, including to run meetings and conduct interviews with high-level experts. Knowledge of French is desired.

The precise skills and motivations expected are as follows:

1. a rigorous mindset that allows to problematise research questions, carry out thorough analysis and summarise results in a clear fashion, so that their impact can be maximised:
   1. good analytical and writing skills.
   2. ease in manipulating information from a variety of sources.
   3. ability to conceptualise and take a step back from the materials collected
   4. good autonomy and an inquisitive mind to get to the bottom of issues.
2. high motivation to work with financial actors for the implementation of the low-carbon and resilient transition.
3. excellent project management and networking skills:
   1. ability to develop funding requests and partnership proposals with international organisations and donors.
   2. ability to develop, implement, and adapt a work programme according to the international agenda.
   3. appetite to organise technical and high-level events in person and remotely.

The job offer is open to people with disabilities.