E T Consultant - Nature Finance Specialist

E T Consultant - Nature Finance Specialist

Description

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

A recently established WBG Knowledge Bank brings together the World Bank (IBRD/IDA) and IFC into a single WBG knowledge system that delivers integrated solutions to our clients at scale. The Planet Vertical within the WBG’s Knowledge Bank consists of Agriculture, Climate, Environment, and Water practices, and aims to promote sustainable management of natural resources, including water and forests, to secure climate resilience on a livable planet for future, more productive, generations. On the IFC side, the Environment practice (ENV) includes the Nature Finance team, who are working to scale up IFC’s investments that generate positive outcomes for nature in emerging markets and channel resources towards meeting the Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of halting and reversing nature loss.

To anchor IFC’s approach to nature finance, the team developed the first-of-its-kind Biodiversity Finance Reference Guide, outlining investment activities and project characteristics that support the transition to nature-smart production practices that protect biodiversity and ecosystem services and help meet the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The team also collaborates closely with other institutions across the World Bank Group and other Multilateral Development Banks (MBDs) to scale investments for nature. As part of the World Bank Group (WBG), IFC signed a Joint Statement on Nature, People and Planet, committing MDBs to mainstream nature into their operations and contributed to developing the MDB Common Principles for Tracking Nature Finance and MDB Common Nature Finance Taxonomy. IFC also helped to develop the WBG Nature Finance Tracking Methodology and successfully piloted the methodology in FY24 and FY25.

Beyond standard development, the Nature Finance team also works directly with IFC regional and industry investment teams across sectors to identify and develop nature finance opportunities, advise on project design, help structure transactions, and coordinate with regional World Bank teams to foster business enabling environments that generate measurable positive outcomes for nature. This hands-on engagement with the investment pipeline is central to the team's mandate and positions nature finance as an active and growing area of IFC's business.

In this context, the Nature Finance Team is seeking to hire a highly motivated Extended-Term Consultant (ETC), based in Washington, DC, to support this work.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The ETC will be a core member of the Nature Finance Team, reporting to the team’s lead. The consultant will play a key role in advancing IFC’s nature finance business as a growing area of investment opportunity, ensuring the operational effectiveness and institutional visibility of the Nature Finance Team, and support the operationalization of the WBG's Nature Finance Tracking Methodology at IFC. 

Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

•  Execute the strategy to advance IFC’s nature finance business as a fast-growing area of investment opportunity, contributing to the team’s work across the following workstreams:
    o  Build awareness and capacity on Nature Finance across IFC investment teams, providing options and recommendations on project design modifications to strengthen and enhance nature finance components in projects across industries and geographies.
    o  Develop compelling, tailored client engagement materials, such as business pitches, that articulate the nature finance value proposition to private sector clients across industries and geographies.
    o  Conduct research to support IFC’s nature finance investment transactions, such as researching case studies, best practices, or market benchmarks across sectors to help design key performance indicators in sustainability linked finance transactions.
    o  Carry out additional ad hoc tasks as assigned.

•  Ensure operational effectiveness and institutional visibility of the Nature Finance Team, including through the following responsibilities:
    o  Lead the team’s engagement in Project Supervision Report (PSR) cycles for donor funded projects, coordinating inputs across team members and ensuring timely, accurate, and complete reporting in line with IFC’s operational requirements.
    o  Lead on relevant administrative tasks related to the team’s budget and resources. 
    o  Prepare high-quality technical briefs, talking points, and background materials for senior management participation in global events, conferences, and high-level meetings on nature finance and related topics.
    o  Develop and refine presentations and knowledge products for team events, internal trainings, and external engagements, ensuring materials are analytically rigorous and tailored to the intended audience. 

•  Contribute to the operationalization of the Nature Finance Tracking Methodology in IFC via the following key work streams:
    o  Conduct portfolio screening and assessments of IFC projects for nature finance, as well as support colleagues responsible for assessments.
    o  Support the ongoing development and implementation of systems for nature finance tracking, including drafting process notes and standard operating procedures.
    o  Maintain and regularly update an Excel database or equivalent to track the status of nature finance assessments, including the number and volume of current nature finance projects. Compile data and generate visuals and presentations about it. 
    o  Prepare talking points, memos, project assessment reports, and other documents related to nature finance tracking.
    o  Design training sessions to build capacity among relevant teams for tracking and evaluating nature finance projects within IFC operations.
    o  Undertake other related activities as agreed upon with the team lead.

The team is based in Washington, DC (HQ), and the candidate must be available to work in-person. 

Selection Criteria

•  Minimum a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as sustainable finance, business, environmental or public policy, etc. 
•  Minimum 8-12 years of work experience in areas related to sustainable finance, private sector and project development, climate, and development finance. Work in areas of nature finance, nature-based solutions, or other relevant topics is preferred.    
•  Strong understanding of IFC’s approach to nature finance for private sector in emerging markets, which goes beyond conservation and restoration to projects that address the direct drivers of nature loss across economic activities. Ability to integrate these conceptual considerations into process design, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and impact monitoring.
•  Ability to work well in a small dynamic, start-up like team setting where roles are fluid, initiative and creativity are highly valued, and self-sufficiency and exceptional timely performance are essential.
•  Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and effectively navigating organizational or project-related processes, including the ability to identify process gaps, streamline workflows, and ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
•  Comfortable with and willing to operate across the full spectrum of team needs, from complex technical assignments to routine administrative and coordination tasks. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and pivot quickly as demands shift.
•  Outstanding time and project management, analytical, research, writing, and critical thinking skills, combined with strong time and project management capabilities. Ability to produce high-quality outputs under tight deadlines and with minimum supervision.
•  Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to analyze data, create reports, and develop high-quality presentations for diverse audiences.
•  Startup mentality, flexibility and attitude to teamwork and timeliness of delivery of tasks.
•  Ability to engage across functional and sectoral boundaries and across variety of stakeholders to identify common solutions to thematic challenges.
Ability to lead without positional power from the strength of understanding different perspectives and interests and driving towards mutually beneficial solutions.  
•  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.
•  Prior experience in IFC operations and private sector companies is a strong plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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.

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