Job description

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.

Based in Lusaka, Zambia, the Climate Finance Lead directs the end-to-end technical implementation of the Zambia Climate Finance Unit (CFU) Phase II project and delivers high-level strategic advice to the Government of Zambia. Reporting to Country Lead and Project Lead, the role takes complete ownership of CFU operationalization, driving aggressive resource mobilization, structural innovations, and the deployment of a high-impact portfolio of climate finance instruments. By fostering deep cross-sector collaboration and building consensus among line ministries, the private sector, and key partners, the Lead aligns initiatives with national priorities, secures vital project approvals, and oversees the execution of a robust, fully endorsed climate project pipeline.

The Climate Finance Lead will provide strategic and technical leadership for the operationalisation of the Climate Finance Unit and the mobilisation of domestic and international climate finance in Zambia. The S/he will support the development of financeable climate projects, innovative financing mechanisms, climate finance strategies and enabling policy frameworks, while overseeing the CFU project pipeline and technical delivery. Working closely with government, development partners, financial institutions and private sector stakeholders.

PURPOSE

Leads and provides strategic advice on operationalization of an effective, innovative Climate Finance Unit within MoFNP, tailoring programmes and policies to capture Zambia’s specific national operational and economic environment.

Leads the effective and efficient mobilization of domestic and international climate finance in Zambia, including all relevant stakeholders.

Leads the identification and access of the various financing windows toward climate finance, green finance, disaster risk finance, and other innovative financing.

Leads technical financial advice on innovative green finance instruments and the development of a pipeline of financeable green projects (i.e. green bonds, etc..), including all necessary feasibility studies and consultancies needed.

Spearheads strategic and technical assistance for the development of the National Climate Finance Strategy and advise the GRZ on any other enabling policy frameworks, activities and tools for sustainable investment (i.e. green taxonomy, budget tagging, accreditation to the GCF, etc…).

Guides the design and review of strategic and foundational documents, roadmaps, climate finance studies and action plans (HR strategy, operational manual, and roadmap), fostering high levels of government involvement, interaction and endorsement.

Directs and Identifies project ideas and develops high-probability concept notes, particularly innovative climate finance options, ensuring professional and orderly management of the CFUs project pipeline in a highly professional and orderly manner.

ENGAGEMENT

Persuades and builds strategic partnerships with government counterparts, including MoFNP and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (including the NDA), to ensure their continued support and ownership of the project and its deliverables.

Drives structured coordination with GGGI development partners, such as FCDO and FSD Africa, to ensure alignment with the CFU Joint Workplan and harmonized delivery of support, including monitoring support, among other tasks.

Builds and manages high-level relationships with regulators under the Green Finance Mainstreaming Group, investors, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Engages and collaborates closely with local financial institutions (LFIs) and persuading stakeholders to adopt and integrate robust Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).

Facilitates high-level dialogue between public and private stakeholders through strategic outreach and relationship management, to unlock blended finance opportunities and structure impactful Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Coordinates capacity building initiatives and knowledge exchange by persuading and liaising with other GGGI teams to align priorities and ensure successful cross programmatic implementation.

Represents the organization in climate finance-related workshops, national and regional events, investment forums, and technical working groups.

DELIVERY

Adapts and implement programs and technical services to manage a robust portfolio of green and climate finance projects, ensuring alignment with national strategies and client needs.

Leads and oversee the preparation of high-quality deliverables, including project concept notes, investment proposals, feasibility studies, economic studies, and policy recommendations.

Manages consultants and technical teams supporting investment-related work, ensuring timely and impactful outputs.

Leads and oversees the expansion of the CFU via a high-quality hiring process.

Persuades and secures collaborating from key national and international stakeholders, manage morale of CFU staff, and build consensus amongst relevant stakeholders.

Leads and oversees the project cycle for assigned portfolios. Ensuring transparent internal and external project reporting, timely climate finance tracking, and efficient resource utilization.

Leads stakeholder capacity needs assessments, designs and develops a training program for green finance and sustainable investment, and executes the capacity-building plan.

Contributes to institutional knowledge products by generating and disseminating manuals and guidelines, communication materials, and awareness-raising campaigns.

Leads the design of financing mechanisms, including blended finance structures, green bonds, climate-smart PPPs, and other de-risking tools.

Leads the delivery of a national climate finance strategy and ensure its high technical quality.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

Master’s degree or equivalent in Climate Finance, Development Economics, Public Finance, Environmental Economics, Sustainable Investment, or a closely related field.

At least 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in public finance, investment facilitation, or climate policy, including 5 years in a managerial or coordination role.

An extensive and solid network and background working with government and/or private sector stakeholders pertinent to climate finance in Zambia to leverage CFU work is desirable/ideal.

Proven experience in working and engaging with multidisciplinary teams, managing donor-funded programs (including budget control and reporting), and ensuring high-quality technical delivery.

Demonstrated expertise in climate finance strategy development, project pipeline management, and fiscal integration.

Strong understanding of public financial management systems (budget processes, MTEF, IFMIS, debt management) and knowledge of capital markets, sovereign debt instruments, sustainability-linked financing, and debt-for-nature swap mechanisms.

Experience coordinating partnerships with development partners, DFIs, and multilateral funds (GCF, GEF, CIF, AfDB).

Advanced professional certification in finance, investment management, or project management is preferred.

Prior experience in a relevant public sector or multilateral development institution is an advantage.

Experience integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) considerations into financial systems or investment programs is an advantage.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Fluency in Nyanja and/or Bemba is an advantage.

FUNCTIONAL

Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to synthesize financial and policy data into actionable insights.

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

Proven project delivery experience, i.e. managing the delivery of results on time and on budget

Demonstrated experience in policy advisory, stakeholder facilitation, and representation in international climate finance forums.

Strong record of technical writing, publication, and presentation in professional or policy settings.

Solutions-oriented mindset, with a proactive and adaptive approach to problem-solving.

Commitment to collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment

CORPORATE

Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.

Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.

Excel at problem solving, ask questions and seek support when needed, share easily information and knowledge with others both internally as externally.

Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolves conflict easily.

Demonstrates a high level of integrity in handling privileged information and in stewardship of public resources.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This Climate Finance Lead role is a G10 NAT GGGI’s national salary scale. Additionally, GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings GGGI provides 27 days of annual leave, flexible work arrangements and contribution towards 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 commitments and personal and family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity and well-being of Staff members.

For more information on GGGI’s terms and conditions (allowances, health care, education etc.) please familiarize yourself with GGGI’s Rules and Regulations that can be found here: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Climate Finance Lead