Biodiversity Specialist - GF  

 Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work 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.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.

The GEF unites 185 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five multilateral environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF was also recently designated to serve as part of the financial mechanism of the international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Since 1991, the GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $24.7 billion in grants for over 5,700 projects in over 170 countries.

The GEF Secretariat is a Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank for administrative purposes and has approximately 70 professional, administrative and client support staff. In 2023, the GEF established the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) in response to decisions taken at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The GBFF is part of the GEF family of funds, and has its own governance arrangements and project cycle that differ from other GEF funds. In June 2023, the GEF Council approved the arrangements to establish the GBFF and its Programming Directions. The GBFF establishment decision was ratified at the seventh GEF Assembly in August 2023, and the fund was launched. The first GBFF Council was held in February 2024. With the first tranche of the GBFF support released, the first and second rounds of the GBFF project preparation grant (PPG) submissions were announced in February 2024.

The GEF Secretariat is seeking a dynamic and client-oriented Biodiversity Specialist to join its GBFF team to support the governance arrangement organization, partnership, and GBFF programming in developing countries to address their commitments and contributions towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The ideal candidate should have a good understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement and the dynamics of GEF client countries. The candidate should have political acumen and the capacity to work effectively with partners and support governance arrangements associated with the GBFF Council, and experience with biodiversity management and/or support in developing countries.

S/he will: be responsible for contributing to the GBFF governance arrangements, including the GBFF Council and Observer Groups representing the private sector, philanthropic and conservation organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), women, and youth; facilitating the organization of the Advisory Group(s) and Auxiliary Body upon their constitution by the GBFF Council; conducting technical reviews that ensure high quality project proposals for Council approval and CEO endorsement; and supporting partnership building with the Implementing Agencies, major partners, contributors, and the CBD Secretariat.

 

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

Under the supervision of the Manager of the GEF MEAs and Funds Division, the Biodiversity Specialist will have the following duties:

1. Contribute to the implementation of the GBFF, including its programming directions, governance arrangements, portfolio development and management, in line with the agreed GBFF policies and strategies, decisions by the GBFF Council, and relevant CBD COP guidance.
2. Provide technical support for the GBFF governance arrangements, in particular the GBFF Council and GBFF Council Observer Groups, including preparations of Council scripts, proposed decisions, summary, and other documents, and facilitating preparations and participation of Observer Groups to ensure perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders are represented in the Council discourse. Support the organization of Advisory Group(s) and Auxiliary Body, upon their constitution as agreed by the GBFF Council.
3. Contribute to the reviews of project proposals to be financed by the GBFF, according to the agreed project review criteria, provide review comments and guidance, and assist in overall preparation of work programs to be presented to the GBFF Council.
4. Maintain and enhance a productive dialogue with GEF Agencies and countries, providing information and guidance consistent with GEF decisions to: (i) assist countries in the development of project proposals; (ii) maintain consistency with, and responsiveness to, the Convention guidance; and (iv) build synergies across different GEF family of funds.
5. In collaboration with the GEF BD focal area coordinator, contribute to maintain a well-coordinated, GEF-wide biodiversity cadre of professional staff and programming support to countries from the GEF Trust Fund and the GBFF.  
6. Support and collaborate with the Policy and Operations team on the GBFF project cycle and its associated policy, strategy, and guideline needs to ensure continued implementation of a simple and effective project cycle for easy and efficient access.
7. Provide quality inputs to CEO, Director, and Manager on thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents. Carry out additional tasks as assigned.
 

Selection Criteria

1. Master's degree or Ph.D. in the field of environmental and natural resources management, environmental policy or law, or other relevant disciplines. 
2. At least 5 years relevant experience in addressing biodiversity and its governance at the national or international level required, and experiences in managing biodiversity and governance in developing countries would be an advantage. In depth understanding of scientific, economic, social, and political dimensions of biodiversity and conservation.
3. Knowledge of relevant CBD negotiations and decisions, in particular the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, financial mechanism, and resource mobilization.  
4. Knowledge of the operations of the GEF, its strategies, policies and its GBFF program would be an advantage.
5. Ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and civil society organizations.
6. Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Language skills is in French, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Portuguese a plus.
8. Must be able to work in a multicultural team environment, and also independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines. 
 

Required Competencies:

Deliver results for clients: 

• Sets challenging goals to support the delivery of the GEF mission and is always looking to improve.
• Understands clients' most pressing challenges and contributes to solutions.
• Takes personal responsibility for producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, and delivering results for clients.

 

Lead and Innovate:

• Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, and tries new solutions that drive results.
• Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate, and implement relevant solutions
• Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG's values and mission
• Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others to do the same and helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context
• Considers own behavior in context of World Bank Group values and mission and recognizes impact one has on others

Collaborate within Teams and across Boundaries:  

• Keeps others fully informed to ensure integration and work consistency and displays a sense of mutuality and respect
• Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect
• Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due.
• Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved and leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes
• Seeks and listens to input from others to inform own decision making and openly shares information
• Frames thinking/actions with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Create, apply, and share knowledge:

• Is known in the subject area and is sought out by peers to advise or contribute to knowledge products and is interested in building on personal and professional networks to advance GEF mission
• Actively invests in own knowledge and seeks feedback and interested in contributing to the GEF's body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise
• Seeks opportunities to mentoring junior staff less to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge
• Builds networks across the international development/environment community and as part of existing external professional groups/networks.

 

Make smart decisions:

• Applies critical thinking and contributes to decision making by providing data and relevant risk-analysis and takes initiative and makes decisions in a timely manner
• Seeks and analyzes facts, data, and lessons of past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long-term implications of decisions and commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached.
 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

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.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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