Financial Management Specialist - Budget Planning

Grade: IS-3
Deadline: 04 August 2025 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 108,700 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable)): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

Introduction
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. The GCF has a portfolio of 314 projects across 133 countries, with a total commitment of USD 18.0 billion to date.

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations. 

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds.  Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart.  GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. 

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people.

Position Objective
The Financial Management Specialist - Budget Planning leads and coordinates the comprehensive budget planning process at GCF, ensuring alignment with the institution’s strategic priorities working with the Department of Strategy, Policy, and Innovation under office of Chief Strategy and Impact Officer. This role requires a thorough understanding of GCF’s strategy and work program, and involves close collaboration with senior budget stakeholders-including Chiefs and Directors-throughout the extensive 6-7 month annual planning cycle. The incumbent is responsible for driving the estimation, consolidation, and methodology development of the budget, while managing the budget allocation process in alignment with the Board-approved budget. This includes overseeing budget system loading, recalibration, and continuous monitoring of budget overrun and underrun risks to recommend reallocations or efficiency improvements.

Purpose 

Lead the annual and multi-year budget planning process, including the estimation, consolidation, and refinement of inputs from stakeholders, while ensuring full alignment with GCF’s strategic objectives and work program.

Develop, enhance, and implement planning methodologies and templates to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and consistency of the budget planning process.

Coordinate and manage system implementation and process improvement initiatives related to budget planning (e.g., EPM implementation, Excel automation), and support the development of automated, system-based reporting solutions (such as Budget vs. Actual dashboards and Power BI reports) in collaboration with the Financial Control Officer and IT teams.

Proactively monitor, identify, and assess risks of budget overruns and underruns at both the aggregate and transactional levels; recommend and facilitate timely budget reallocations, overrides, or efficiency measures as needed, providing analysis to support decisions by the Senior Financial Specialist and FP&A Manager.

Prepare, present, and deliver high-quality budget planning reports, analysis, and supporting materials for management, Board, and Budget Committee meetings.

Take ownership of preparing all materials required for Board and Budget Committee meetings on budget planning-including decks, detailed analyses, meeting notes, and timely responses to inquiries-to fully support the FP&A Manager in these engagements..

Collaborate closely with the Financial Control Officer to incorporate actual budget execution trends into forecasting methodologies and support the Senior Financial

Specialist in the ongoing development and refinement of planning and forecasting frameworks.

Respond to ad-hoc FP&A analysis and reporting requests from internal stakeholders and the Board, providing clear, data-driven insights and recommendations.

Engagement

Lead and facilitate discussions with Chiefs, Directors, and senior budget holders throughout the budget planning cycle to ensure alignment of budget proposals with organizational strategy and work program.

Collaborate closely with the Department of Strategy, Policy, and Innovation, as well as other key internal stakeholders, to ensure clear linkage between strategic priorities and budget submissions.

Serve as the primary liaison with budget stakeholders during the system budget load and recalibration phases, ensuring accurate implementation of Board-approved budgets and resolving any issues or discrepancies in coordination with relevant teams.

Engage continuously with budget focal points across the Fund to monitor budget utilization, assess risks of overruns or underruns, and coordinate on potential reallocations or efficiency measures throughout the year.

Coordinate and collaborate with Independent Units, the Trustee, and the Board Secretariat for their respective budget planning processes, including template development, process leadership, and consolidation of inputs.

Partner with the FP&A Manager and other team members to ensure cohesive and integrated financial planning, reporting, and budget management across the Secretariat.

Represent the FP&A function in working-level meetings and negotiations with senior management and external stakeholders, providing expert guidance and supporting informed decision-making.

Lead the development of narratives and supporting materials for the annual administrative budget report and other Board-mandated deliverables, ensuring that all relevant parties are engaged and their inputs effectively incorporated.

Delivery

Lead the estimation, consolidation, and validation of budget inputs, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with Board-approved limits.

Oversee the budget allocation process, including system loading, recalibration, and ongoing adjustments as required.

Continuously monitor budget execution trends and provide actionable insights to maximize budget utilization within approved parameters.

Prepare and deliver high-quality reports, presentations, and analysis for management, Board, and Budget Committee meetings.

Support the implementation and enhancement of budget planning systems and tools to improve efficiency and data integrity.

Document budgeting methodologies, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

Education and Certifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieuof the Master’s degree requirement.
• Certified Management Accountant or Certified Institute of Management Accountant (CMA or CIMA) (alternative certifications such as Certified Corporate Financial
• Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC) or Certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) may be considered in lieu of CMA/CIMA certification) is highly preferred. 
• Fully qualified Accountant (e.g. CA, ACCA, CPA) will be an added advantage.

Experience 

• Minimum 7 years of experience in financial planning and analysis work, with hands-on experience in budget planning/forecasting process, and financial closure processes.
• Proficiency in applying and analyzing the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards in International/multilateral organizations. 
• Advanced knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Business Intelligence tools such as Power BI and Tableau.
• Oracle fusion/Concur/Oracle Travel Expense module experience will be an advantage. 
• Project management experience will be an advantage.

Competencies 

Demonstrates competencies for communication, teamwork, planning and organizing, accountability, client orientation, and technological awareness, including through the following:

• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
• Ability to be agile and work in a fast-changing multicultural environment with diverse stakeholders at different technical and strategic levels– staff, Board and external stakeholders.  
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.
• Shows willingness to learn new technology.

The closing date for application is 04 August 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references.

Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.