Climate Finance Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems      transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.   

Background 

The FAO country office’s programme in I.R. Iran consists of several Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) and Trust Funds (TF) projects. FAO is a trusted partner of the Government of I.R. Iran in accessing the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and is an Accredited Entity to the GCF. The first ever GCF Readiness project of I.R Iran (USD 300,000) was implemented during 2020-2022 with FAO as the Delivery Partner. FAO supported the I.R. Iran GCF National Designated Authority (NDA) – the Department of Environment (DOE) – in formulating and obtaining the approval of the second Readiness project for implementation during 2024-2026. Being initiated in close collaboration with the NDA and DOE that are representing the government of the I.R. Iran, the project aims to achieve the following outputs:

•    1.3.1 Relevant stakeholders engaged and trained to support planning, programming and implementation of GCF funded activities.
•    1.3.2 Stakeholder engagement mechanisms established to support planning, programming and implementation of GCF funded activities.
•    1.3.3 Strengthened information sharing.
•    2.2.1 Country programmes endorsed by GCF recipient country processes.
•    2.2.5 Studies, modelling efforts and other research efforts conducted/developed.
•    2.2.6 Sectorial strategic frameworks or associated plans developed.
•    4.1.1 Concept notes for priority sectors developed with the support of the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP) for submission to the GCF.
•    5.1.1 NDAs, Direct Access Entities (DAEs), Delivery Partners (DPs) have developed knowledge products containing information on Low Emission Climate Resilient Development (LECRD), methodologies, lessons learned, or best practices extracted from within the country and from other countries (South-South cooperation).
•    5.1.2 NDAs/DAEs/DPs who have established process, systems and/or platforms for identification of best practices, lessons learned and Knowledge Management.
•    5.2.1 Collaborations at subnational, national, or regional levels to foster development and dissemination of methods, frameworks, and information systems for enhanced climate finance programming

Objectives

The main objective of the assignment of the International Climate Finance Specialist is to support the NDA/DoE and FAO for smooth implementation of the GCF Readiness II project with specific focus on Output 1.2.2, 1.3.1, 2.2.5, 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 particularly 1) Leading the drafting of strategy for direct access to climate finance, and Guidebook for potential DAEs; 2) Advising and guiding the development and delivery of the training package for private sector/SMEs and for stakeholders on GCF project proposal development; and 3) Guiding, supporting and quality assurance of the development of CNs and pre-feasibility studies and the update of the pipeline. 

Reporting Lines

The Climate Finance Specialist will work under direct supervision of FAOR, and close cooperation with Project Coordinator and technical guidance by the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO RAP) and the FAO GCF Unit in the Office of Biodiversity and Climate Change (OCB) in HQ.

Technical Focus 

International Finance, Institutional Coordination Mechanisms, Policy development and capacity building for access to climate finance.

Tasks and responsibilities

 Boost Iran’s direct access to international climate finance and GCF

•    Lead the drafting of the Strategy for direct access to climate finance to be integrated into the updated GCF Country Programme, ensuring its operational effectiveness and alignment with broader national climate finance goals. 
•    Develop structure and TOR for DAE subcommittee under National Climate Change Finance Committee (NCCFC).
•    Advise the NDA and DAE Subcommittee on evaluation and selection of potential entities for GCF accreditation, ensuring their alignment with GCF criteria. Develop a comprehensive guidebook that offers insights, best practices, and guidelines, ensuring DAEs are well-equipped for effective GCF engagement.
•    Train the NDA Secretariat and project management team on gap assessment of potential accredited entities, using GCF’s institutional assessment and completeness checklist.
•    Provide technical guidance and quality assurance of the gap assessment and its use in developing tailored Action Plans to address the policy, regulatory and capacity gaps.  
•    Support the potential DAEs in implementation of the Action Plans and further the application process to ensure that the entities not only address identified gaps related to the fiduciary standards (ESS and Gender, programming, project management and reporting frameworks, policies on prohibited practices, transparency and accountability) but also successfully progress in the application process for accreditation.

Training on climate finance and GCF for private sector/SME and other stakeholders

•    Review available training materials, including those developed in GCF Readiness I.
•    Guide the National training/capacity building specialist and project team in adapting/developing training curriculum for the private sector/SMEs and for Government agencies and stakeholders on GCF project development and implementation, tailored to the needs of Iran and in line with the GCF strategic objectives for 2024-2027.
•    Support the National training/capacity building specialist and project team in delivering the trainings, including, but not limited to, making presentation, facilitation while provide technical monitoring and quality assurance.  

Developing the GCF pipeline

•    Provide expert inputs on the nature and mechanisms of various innovative financing options, green financing, and climate financial planning. 
•    Provide practical strategies and techniques for developing project proposals and concept notes.
•    Provide guidance on the needs assessment of climate finance in Iran.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in in Finance, Economics, Climate Change, Environmental Economics, or a related field, e.g. Corporate Finance, Investment Banking or Impact Investing. 
•    Minimum 5 years of professional experience in climate finance, sustainable finance, or related fields, with a strong focus on international funding mechanisms.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Familiarity with international climate finance, and practical experience with GCF programming. 
•    Extent and relevance of experience in climate finance.
•    Extensive experience working with international funding organizations, including development banks, bilateral aid agencies, and multilateral funds.
•    Demonstrated expertise in developing climate finance strategies, business model frameworks, and innovative financing options.
•    Ability to communicate complex climate finance concepts in a clear and practical manner to various stakeholders. 

Selection Criteria

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
•    Advanced communications skills in English (written and verbal).