Director of Information Technology

Grade: IS-8
Deadline: 24 March 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 230,900 net (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

Introduction:
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. By the end of 2023, GCF had a portfolio of 243 projects in 129 countries, committing a total of USD 13.5 billion to date.

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact.

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.
You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations.
You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.
You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.
You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds. Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

Interested in more information?
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart. GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities.

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people.

Position Objective
The Director of Information Technology (IT) will lead GCF’s technology function and will create and drive innovative and tailored development roadmaps as a core part of GCF’s digital evolution. S/he will manage the technology budget and team to provide a world-class digital experience for GCF’s personnel, stakeholders and clients. The Director ensures that GCF’s information technology systems are fit-for-purpose to meet GCF’s overall institutional strategic goals and objectives, while maintaining a world-class standard of cyber security for the organization.

Purpose

• Leadership of overall IT strategy and implementation: Directs information technology strategies, policies, roadmaps, and procedures by evaluating organizational outcomes; identifying risks and areas for improvement; evaluating trends; anticipating institutional requirements; and ensuring the team stays abreast with technologies available in the marketplace.
• Develop a technology strategy and lead the implementation of a cost-effective technology development programme:
  • Fully understand the climate finance value chain and recognize where technology can be introduced to maximize GCF’s impact.
  • Determine the institutional technology development roadmap and lead its implementation in compliance with stage gate requirements and budgets. Support funding decisions by provision of value and achievability assessment.
  • Engage leaders across GCF to ensure the technology development programme is driven effectively throughout the organization, resulting in a high adoption rate for the solutions deployed as well as a satisfactory end-user experience.
  • Unlock the value of data to enable game-changing improvements in effectiveness and impact:
    • Establish the frameworks, systems, and processes for the use of data and analytics to drive operating excellence.
    • Assess the economic opportunity to partner strategically with analytics providers.
    • Leverage learnings and information across the organization.
    • Actively monitor new and emerging data science technologies, trends, practices, issues and solutions and assess their applicability to GCF.
    • Predict and prepare for the impact of potential changes, decisions or outcomes on the behavior of GCF workforce and stakeholders.
    • Infrastructure, platforms and networks: Leads and determines the framework of the IT department within the context of a cloud-only agile, harmonized (SaaS-PaaS-IaaS model) approach across GCF. Leads and ensures rapid rollout of all IT projects including the ongoing deployment and improvement of the ERP system. Ensures the IT function provides undisrupted service to its users. Delivers ongoing necessary changes to current infrastructure and systems landscape in an efficient and cost-effective manner, while ensuring adequate handling of ICT assets including environmentally friendly disposal at EOL. Streamlines internal IT operations to ensure integrated systems and a seamlessly cohesive end-user experience.
    • Cyber Security: Maintains robust and diligent cyber security solutions, policies and procedures to protect GCF and its stakeholders.
    • Innovation and emerging technologies, including AI: assesses emerging technologies for their applicability to GCF’s mission; keeps informed on market trends and incorporates these into IT strategy and implementation. Implements new tools, including AI-based solutions, to improve organizational efficiency, learning and effectiveness.

      Engagement

      • Develop and implement a stakeholder driven information management strategy and solutions.
        • ​​​​​​Work closely with the relevant stakeholders to define, agree and deliver a portfolio of IT initiatives and solutions to enable and support the delivery of GCF's strategic and operational objectives.
        • Establish and drive the consistent implantation of IT standards, project management procedures, best practices and policies that meet business requirements.
        • Manage the provision of IT infrastructure services, including data center operations, service desk, end user/workplace computing, voice & data networks, video conferencing and messaging.
        • Manage IT governance processes including risk, software licensing, sourcing strategy, vendor contract management, and budgets.
        • Identify potential threats to the business and bring prompt responses and timely recoveries from cyber or other physical safety and security events.
        • Enable safe remote working and create a non-invasive culture of security to protect GCF teams at work and at home.
        • Innovation and emerging technologies: Fosters and promotes a culture of innovation within the team and across the technology function and organization.

          Delivery

          • Organizational Effectiveness: Accountable for best-in-class effectiveness of IT systems and external interfaces to key stakeholders and clients.
          • Strategy: Evaluate the existing technology, develop a cloud-based enterprise architecture and platform strategy, and create an IT roadmap to drive simplification and consistency.
          • Team: Build a lean and high-performing IT department, foster a strong outcome-oriented team and excellent, affordable and transparent IT support for all of GCF’s staff, stakeholders, and clients.
          • Stakeholders: Proactively partner with regional leaders to understand their needs and design a technology operating model and strategy aligned with short- and medium-term goals.
          • Data: Drive the use and availability of data as a core focus of the business, enhancing its utilization for collating key insights that drive business transformation.
          • Artificial Intelligence: Lead the use of AI-based tools in all relevant GCF operations, while ensuring an adequate framework to protect the institution from potential risks or unintended pervasive effects. Lead the design and implementation of training of GCF staff in appropriate use of these tools.

            Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

            • Seasoned technology executive with 15+ years of experience leading the technology function in a leadership, managerial and strategic role, ideally as most senior officer in the IT function. Strong problem-solving skills; experience with project management, budget & financial management, audit/risk management, establishing and managing a central IT department for a global institution, and implementing organization-wide and shared solutions which span countries and continents;
            • Technology Transformation experience: Leveraged technology to drive transformations across a business or business unit;
            • People Leader: Led international teams covering a range of technology disciplines;
            • Stakeholder Management: Built relationships and influenced across a business at all levels to further the technology strategy and enable effective change;
            • Education technologist: Relevant post graduate degree with strong background in one or more of computer science, engineering and IT;
            • Industry background: Experience working in multilateral development bank with international stakeholders and / or an institution with global presence would be an advantage;
            • Language: Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of one or more UN languages would be beneficial.

              Competencies

              • Passion for technology and transformation;
              • Forward-looking for opportunities and risks to the business from a digital / IT lens;
              • Demonstrates the ability to formulate and articulate a compelling and forward-looking vision, aligning strategies with long-term goals;
              • Possesses exceptional communication skills and the ability to persuasively convey ideas, gaining buy-in and inspiring action from others;
              • Exhibits tact, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal relationships, particularly in high-stakes or politically sensitive situations;
              • Encourages and embraces innovation, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances and emerging trends;
              • Leads and develops high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth;
              • Able to develop effective partnerships and engage effectively with various stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and community-based organizations in promoting GCF’s mandate and strategy;
              • Maintains high ethical standards and demonstrates honesty and fairness in actions.
                

                The closing date for application is 24 March 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

                *The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references.

                Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.