Chief Investment Officer

Deadline: 09 January 2026  (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International

Please note that this recruitment is being managed by the headhunting firm Egon Zehnder. Qualified candidates will be contacted and screened directly by the firm.

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 336 projects across 134 countries, with a total commitment of USD 19.3 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 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 Chief Investment Officer (CIO) reporting to the Executive Director (ED), is responsible for overseeing the GCF’s programming functions, including business development, investment decisions & deal-making, and portfolio implementation. The position oversees four Regional Departments responsible for both public and private sector portfolios, the Department for Investment Services (responsible for Readiness finance, Accreditation of entities for programming partnerships, and Project Preparation support), and the Department for Strategic Partnerships and Co-Investments.  The six Departmental Directors report to the CIO.  

The CIO oversees relationships with key operational and policy partners including recipient country governments, and operational partners (including private and public, non-governmental, sub-national, national, regional or international entities).  

The CIO is a member of GCF’s Executive Leadership Team along with the ED, the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Finance and Risk Officer the General Counsel, the Director Office of Governance Affairs and the ED’s Chief of Staff.

Purpose

• Provides substantive leadership to ensure GCF invests in a high quality portfolio which maximizes impact considering the evolution of the markets and the key challenges and priorities of developing countries.
• Provides substantive leadership to the strategy and policy evolution of GCF and to ensure GCF is positioned as a partner of choice globally.
• Provides substantive leadership to Board engagement in the CIO’s areas of responsibility securing timely and strategic decisions to advance the mandate of GCF.
• Ensures the development of a high-quality project portfolio aligned with the GCF’s strategic plan and annual work programme targets.
• Articulates and oversees implementation of annual work programme targets for business units under her/his responsibility.
• Builds a strong organizational culture and ensures high levels of staff engagement with the Fund, managing performance and encouraging continuous innovation and learning.
• Drives continuous improvement in efficiency and effectiveness in GCF programming.
• Leads key processes of organizational change working closely with senior colleagues including the progressive relocation

Engagement

• Chairs the Climate Investment Committee and actively participates in all Senior Management Committees.
• Represents the Fund and engages with Accredited Entities and other
  strategic partners as well as different stakeholders in the climate financing context, through her/his participation in events, conferences and through bilateral dialogue.
• Leads a team of approximately 200 programming staff spread over the four regions, and instills a country centric approach with a relentless focus on
  engagement with countries for efficiency and impact.

Delivery

• Based on the GCF’s strategic plan and programming strategy, develops programming sub-strategies and new programming initiatives.
• Oversees the four Regional Departments responsible for public and private sector programming and country dialogue, and the Departments responsible for Investment Services (covering Readiness finance and Acreditation) and Strategic Partnerships and Co-Investment.
• Oversees the process of project origination from Concept Note through to Board approval, and on to the development of funded activity agreements and first disbursement.
• Oversees portfolio management to minimize project risks and maximize accountability and effectiveness in terms of achievement of impact.
• Oversees GCF’s world-leading programme of Readiness finance, supporting countries to develop national climate strategies, originate high impact programs and projects, and undertake knowledge-sharing and learning to enhance national and regional effectiveness in climate programming. 
• Oversees the process of accreditation of both International and Direct Access Entities for programming with GCF.
• Ensures that lessons learned and knowledge from portfolio implementation are fed back into programme origination efforts.
• Ensures that policies related to the project cycle are implemented effectively and efficiency.
• Oversees operational partnerships to advance GCF as a partnership
  organization

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

• Master’s or higher-level degree in climate finance, economics, environmental science, public policy, or related field ;
• At least 15 years of relevant experience operational experience with multicultural public, private, and/or international organizations; at least 10 years of experience in senior leadership and
  management roles, preferably in role related to climate change, climate finance and/or climate fund management;
• Deep substantive knowledge related to addressing the global challenges of climate change and climate finance;
• A substantial record of achievements in similarly complex and demanding senior roles, including successful examples of strategic leadership;
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work across a wide range of strategic, operational, and administrative responsibilities with outstanding team and project management skills;
• Proven leadership, coaching, and stakeholder engagement experience;
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational change for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness;
• Proven track record of managing large portfolios or overseeing significant transaction volumes in climate or impact investments;
• Demonstrated ability to constructively adapt and contribute in various settings with a high degree of self-awareness and empathy;
• Proven operational experience with a range of financial instruments (such as grants, technical assistance, guarantees, concessional loans and equity) and complex financial structures;
• Strong analytical skills and the decisiveness and creativity to solve problems of varied types;
• Absolute integrity with an open and fair-minded management style;
• Strong communication and advocacy skills; able to engage and motivate a diverse range of stakeholders;
• Well-developed political judgement and understanding of the Fund’s multi-dimensional work challenges;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; Knowledge of another UN language an advantage.

The closing date for application is 09 January 2026. 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.