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Portfolio Officer, ESARO, (GEF and GCF)- Nairobi
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BACKGROUND
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
IUCN,International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN's work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental international organisation, with more than 1,400 government and NGO Members and some 18,000 volunteer experts in around 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by around 1,100 staff members in more than 50 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.
UNIT BACKGROUND:
IUCN Multilateral Finance Unit (MFU) is a global unit within Corporate Services that leads on IUCN's strategic engagement with the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, and other multilateral funds, and includes the Environmental and Social Management System. MFU's main functions are to engage strategically with the Funds, to advise and guide IUCN regional and thematic experts on pipeline development, to oversee the portfolio, and to monitor and report to the Funds. A core aspect of the work is to ensure compliance with GEF and GCF technical and policy requirements. IUCN is a Partner Agency to the GEF since 2014 and an Accredited Entity to the GCF since 2016, and both portfolios have grown significantly over the last ten years. It is the largest portfolio where IUCN Secretariat plays the role of an implementing agency overseeing execution by governments, IUCN members, NGOs/CSOs and other agencies. The MFU portfolio, including GEF and GCF, now represents over one third of the overall IUCN project portfolio. In Eastern and Southern Africa, IUCN manages a portfolio of over USD 60 million funded by the GCF and over USD 55 million funded by the GCF, including flagship large-scale initiatives on climate change adaptation in Kenya and Rwanda funded by the GCF, and a growing pipeline under GEF-8 and GEF-9 spanning agriculture, forest landscape management, drylands, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and coastal and marine management, with a strong private sector focus as well as leveraging different GEF funds: STAR allocation, GBFF, SCCF, LDCF.
The Portfolio Officer, GEF-GCF at the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) will be part of ESARO as well as the Multilateral Finance Unit of IUCN and will be responsible for co-managing the coordination of Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) projects in the region in which IUCN is a GEF Implementing Agency or GCF Accredited Entity. This is a more senior, more technically demanding function than an equivalent portfolio support role elsewhere in the Secretariat: the postholder is expected to exercise independent technical judgement on the climate rationale, results framework and safeguards content of project design, not only to coordinate process and administer data, and to take on a genuine fund mobilisation and capacity-building mandate alongside day-to-day portfolio management.
Under the overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Portfolio Officer will co-lead the task management of the portfolio of GEF and GCF projects under development and implementation in the ESARO region, deputise for the Portfolio Manager on defined workstreams and country engagements, and support the identification and mobilisation of new funding opportunities across the region's GEF-9 and GCF pipeline.
IUCN,International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN's work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental international organisation, with more than 1,400 government and NGO Members and some 18,000 volunteer experts in around 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by around 1,100 staff members in more than 50 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.
UNIT BACKGROUND:
IUCN Multilateral Finance Unit (MFU) is a global unit within Corporate Services that leads on IUCN's strategic engagement with the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, and other multilateral funds, and includes the Environmental and Social Management System. MFU's main functions are to engage strategically with the Funds, to advise and guide IUCN regional and thematic experts on pipeline development, to oversee the portfolio, and to monitor and report to the Funds. A core aspect of the work is to ensure compliance with GEF and GCF technical and policy requirements. IUCN is a Partner Agency to the GEF since 2014 and an Accredited Entity to the GCF since 2016, and both portfolios have grown significantly over the last ten years. It is the largest portfolio where IUCN Secretariat plays the role of an implementing agency overseeing execution by governments, IUCN members, NGOs/CSOs and other agencies. The MFU portfolio, including GEF and GCF, now represents over one third of the overall IUCN project portfolio. In Eastern and Southern Africa, IUCN manages a portfolio of over USD 60 million funded by the GCF and over USD 55 million funded by the GCF, including flagship large-scale initiatives on climate change adaptation in Kenya and Rwanda funded by the GCF, and a growing pipeline under GEF-8 and GEF-9 spanning agriculture, forest landscape management, drylands, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and coastal and marine management, with a strong private sector focus as well as leveraging different GEF funds: STAR allocation, GBFF, SCCF, LDCF.
The Portfolio Officer, GEF-GCF at the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) will be part of ESARO as well as the Multilateral Finance Unit of IUCN and will be responsible for co-managing the coordination of Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) projects in the region in which IUCN is a GEF Implementing Agency or GCF Accredited Entity. This is a more senior, more technically demanding function than an equivalent portfolio support role elsewhere in the Secretariat: the postholder is expected to exercise independent technical judgement on the climate rationale, results framework and safeguards content of project design, not only to coordinate process and administer data, and to take on a genuine fund mobilisation and capacity-building mandate alongside day-to-day portfolio management.
Under the overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Portfolio Officer will co-lead the task management of the portfolio of GEF and GCF projects under development and implementation in the ESARO region, deputise for the Portfolio Manager on defined workstreams and country engagements, and support the identification and mobilisation of new funding opportunities across the region's GEF-9 and GCF pipeline.
JOB DESCRIPTION
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Portfolio Management;
Co-lead regional task management for the GEF-GCF portfolio by working closely with executing agencies, PMUs, technical and administrative staff from ESARO, the Regional Portfolio Manager, the Regional Programme Delivery Manager and when required, the Global Multilateral Finance Unit Director and the broader Multilateral Finance Unit.
Manage the project pipeline and implementation portfolio using institutional tools and platforms (including the project portal), ensuring compliance with IUCN policies, procedures and guidelines for multilateral financing, as well as with GEF and GCF policies and processes.
Provide substantive technical review of project concepts, PIFs and funding proposals against GEF focal-area and GCF investment-criteria requirements, including climate rationale, paradigm shift potential, and results framework quality, not only process and formatting compliance.
In collaboration with the Regional Director, MFU Director and Regional Portfolio Manager, identify new project opportunities by convening internal and external stakeholders and aligning priorities with GEF, GCF and IUCN strategic agendas.
Coordinate with GEF and GCF project development consultancy teams, including quality assurance of technical deliverables.
Prepare periodic portfolio performance reports, including progress, financial delivery, challenges and risks, as required by IUCN and the Funds.
Coordinate the preparation and review of annual implementation reports (GEF PIRs, GCF APRs), working with PMUs, executing agencies and IUCN teams, and ensure accurate and timely data entry into donor reporting systems.
Coordinate the preparation, negotiation and finalization of IUCN implementation agreements with external partners, in collaboration with OLA and executing agencies.
Review technical and financial reports in coordination with relevant thematic experts, flagging quality or compliance issues before submission rather than passing through consultant or country-office drafts unchecked.
Ensure donor platforms (GEF, GCF) and IUCN databases are regularly updated with required information.
Support the development of communication and knowledge materials on the project portfolio and thematic work.
Perform any other GEF and GCF-related tasks as requested by supervisors.
Fund Mobilisation and Capacity Building;
This function carries a more explicit resource-mobilisation and capacity-building mandate than an entry-level portfolio support role, reflecting the seniority of the position.
Participate in, and support the design of new project proposals with countries, thematic experts and potential partners.
Support the identification and pursuit of new co-financing and resource mobilisation opportunities for the GEF-9 and GCF pipeline, in support of the Regional Portfolio Manager's fundraising targets.
Support the internal validation process for GEF and GCF projects, integrating feedback from the Multilateral Finance Unit and thematic leads of IUCN ESARO.
Support the submission of proposals into donor portals, as required.
Institutional Support;
Promote integration, teamwork and collaboration across initiatives.
Support coordination mechanisms with IUCN Constituent Units to ensure member and Commission engagement.
Contribute to the development of materials and content to position the region in alignment with Portfolio objectives.
Represent IUCN at events or meetings at the request of the Regional Multilateral Programme Management.
Digital Tools and Responsible as well as Ethical Use of AI;
Given the volume of technical and financial documentation the portfolio generates, the postholder is expected to use available digital and AI-enabled tools ethically and responsibly to increase speed and consistency, while remaining fully accountable for the substance, accuracy and context-specificity of every output.
Use AI-enabled tools to accelerate first-pass drafting, data synthesis, and cross-checking of technical and financial reports, portfolio data, and donor submissions, without treating tool output as a finished product.
Apply sound technical and editorial judgement to review, correct and substantially rework any AI-assisted output before it is used: submissions must reflect the specific country, project and donor context, and must not read as generic, templated, or interchangeable across projects.
Maintain full personal responsibility for the technical accuracy, climate rationale and results-framework integrity of any document produced with AI assistance; use of such tools does not reduce the standard of quality assurance expected of this role.
Contribute to team practice on where AI-assisted tools genuinely save time in portfolio management (data entry, first drafts, translation, summarisation) versus where they should not be relied on (technical judgement calls, safeguards risk categorisation, donor-facing analysis requiring nuance).
Multilateral Finance Portfolio Support
Support the Regional Portfolio Manager in administrative/operational systems management required for the regional GEF and GCF portfolio (projects in implementation and pipeline).
Organize and document project review meetings and maintain regular engagement with PMUs and executing agencies.
Oversee data entry and information upload on donor portals (GEF PIRs, GCF APRs, project concepts, proposals and related documentation).
Other Responsibilities
Perform any other tasks assigned by the line manager, as required by programme needs.
Project Portfolio Management;
Co-lead regional task management for the GEF-GCF portfolio by working closely with executing agencies, PMUs, technical and administrative staff from ESARO, the Regional Portfolio Manager, the Regional Programme Delivery Manager and when required, the Global Multilateral Finance Unit Director and the broader Multilateral Finance Unit.
Manage the project pipeline and implementation portfolio using institutional tools and platforms (including the project portal), ensuring compliance with IUCN policies, procedures and guidelines for multilateral financing, as well as with GEF and GCF policies and processes.
Provide substantive technical review of project concepts, PIFs and funding proposals against GEF focal-area and GCF investment-criteria requirements, including climate rationale, paradigm shift potential, and results framework quality, not only process and formatting compliance.
In collaboration with the Regional Director, MFU Director and Regional Portfolio Manager, identify new project opportunities by convening internal and external stakeholders and aligning priorities with GEF, GCF and IUCN strategic agendas.
Coordinate with GEF and GCF project development consultancy teams, including quality assurance of technical deliverables.
Prepare periodic portfolio performance reports, including progress, financial delivery, challenges and risks, as required by IUCN and the Funds.
Coordinate the preparation and review of annual implementation reports (GEF PIRs, GCF APRs), working with PMUs, executing agencies and IUCN teams, and ensure accurate and timely data entry into donor reporting systems.
Coordinate the preparation, negotiation and finalization of IUCN implementation agreements with external partners, in collaboration with OLA and executing agencies.
Review technical and financial reports in coordination with relevant thematic experts, flagging quality or compliance issues before submission rather than passing through consultant or country-office drafts unchecked.
Ensure donor platforms (GEF, GCF) and IUCN databases are regularly updated with required information.
Support the development of communication and knowledge materials on the project portfolio and thematic work.
Perform any other GEF and GCF-related tasks as requested by supervisors.
Fund Mobilisation and Capacity Building;
This function carries a more explicit resource-mobilisation and capacity-building mandate than an entry-level portfolio support role, reflecting the seniority of the position.
Participate in, and support the design of new project proposals with countries, thematic experts and potential partners.
Support the identification and pursuit of new co-financing and resource mobilisation opportunities for the GEF-9 and GCF pipeline, in support of the Regional Portfolio Manager's fundraising targets.
Support the internal validation process for GEF and GCF projects, integrating feedback from the Multilateral Finance Unit and thematic leads of IUCN ESARO.
Support the submission of proposals into donor portals, as required.
Institutional Support;
Promote integration, teamwork and collaboration across initiatives.
Support coordination mechanisms with IUCN Constituent Units to ensure member and Commission engagement.
Contribute to the development of materials and content to position the region in alignment with Portfolio objectives.
Represent IUCN at events or meetings at the request of the Regional Multilateral Programme Management.
Digital Tools and Responsible as well as Ethical Use of AI;
Given the volume of technical and financial documentation the portfolio generates, the postholder is expected to use available digital and AI-enabled tools ethically and responsibly to increase speed and consistency, while remaining fully accountable for the substance, accuracy and context-specificity of every output.
Use AI-enabled tools to accelerate first-pass drafting, data synthesis, and cross-checking of technical and financial reports, portfolio data, and donor submissions, without treating tool output as a finished product.
Apply sound technical and editorial judgement to review, correct and substantially rework any AI-assisted output before it is used: submissions must reflect the specific country, project and donor context, and must not read as generic, templated, or interchangeable across projects.
Maintain full personal responsibility for the technical accuracy, climate rationale and results-framework integrity of any document produced with AI assistance; use of such tools does not reduce the standard of quality assurance expected of this role.
Contribute to team practice on where AI-assisted tools genuinely save time in portfolio management (data entry, first drafts, translation, summarisation) versus where they should not be relied on (technical judgement calls, safeguards risk categorisation, donor-facing analysis requiring nuance).
Multilateral Finance Portfolio Support
Support the Regional Portfolio Manager in administrative/operational systems management required for the regional GEF and GCF portfolio (projects in implementation and pipeline).
Organize and document project review meetings and maintain regular engagement with PMUs and executing agencies.
Oversee data entry and information upload on donor portals (GEF PIRs, GCF APRs, project concepts, proposals and related documentation).
Other Responsibilities
Perform any other tasks assigned by the line manager, as required by programme needs.
REQUIREMENTS
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• REQUIREMENTS: Master's degree in natural resources management, environmental science, environmental economics, climate change, project management, or a related field. Minimum 7 years of verifiable professional experience in project management, sustainable development, conservation, or climate change, including substantive experience with Adaptation Fund, GEF and/or GCF-funded projects. Strong technical background in climate change adaptation and mitigation and in biodiversity conservation, with a working understanding of GEF focal areas and GCF result areas (including forestry and land use, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and adaptation) sufficient to critically assess the technical and climate-rationale content of project design and appraisal, not only its compliance and formatting. Demonstrated experience in fund mobilisation or resource mobilisation for multilateral climate or environment finance, including engaging donors and identifying co-financing opportunities. Fluency in English required; French or Portuguese will be a strong asset given the regional footprint. Proficiency in computer tools and online administrative systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams) and in institutional project portals is required; proficiency in QGIS, SQL and other geospatial and data management/visualization tools/software are an advantage. Demonstrated ability to use AI-enabled tools to increase the efficiency and consistency of technical and administrative work, paired with the critical judgement to identify and correct generic, inaccurate or poorly contextualised AI output. Candidates should be able to describe specifically how they have used such tools in their own work and where they have chosen not to rely on them. Experience preparing analytical and financial reports and contributing to technical publications. Willingness to travel within and outside the region as required. Strong problem-solving skills, initiative, creativity, and innovation. Ability to plan, organize and execute responsibilities in a timely and compliant manner. Sensitivity and respect for the cultural, social and economic contexts of project partners and beneficiaries. Commitment to gender equality, inclusion and diversity principles. Core Competencies; Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team. Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner. Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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