SUSTAINABLE FINANCE ASSOCIATE

Location: Quito, Ecuador

Contract Type: Staff

Grade: X6 EC

Salary Scale: National Scale

Duration: 12 months

Star Date: November 15th

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

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.

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities which build a strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers; as well as building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Government of Ecuador has embarked on an ambitious effort to increase the efficiency of its sustainable finance ecosystem by diversifying the country´s donor engagement, accessing underutilized sustainable funds and developing new and innovative finance mechanisms to de-risk green investments in the country.

As part of the UK-PACT funded project “Strengthening Ecuador’s Sustainable Finance Governance Mechanism”, GGGI is providing technical assistance to the Government of Ecuador. The program focuses on conducting a diagnostic of the sustainable finance ecosystem, strengthening technical capacities, and establishing a governance framework in coordination with key ministries. It also aims to identify green investment opportunities, advance the Green Taxonomy Roadmap, and promote inter-institutional alignment to mobilize climate-aligned finance in support of national priorities, including the Climate Finance Strategy and Ecuador’s Second NDC.

POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Quito, the Sustainable Finance Associate will support the implementation of sustainable finance activities in Ecuador, including the GGGI-led UK-PACT Project. The role focuses on strengthening institutional capacity of the Government of Ecuador, supporting the Sustainable Finance Roundtable, and providing technical assistance for sustainable finance instruments, including thematic bonds, the Sustainable Bond Framework, and the Green Taxonomy. The Associate will actively facilitate coordination with national stakeholders aligned with the priorities of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, ensuring that sustainable finance initiatives are well-structured, and strategically implemented.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to strengthen Ecuador’s sustainable finance ecosystem by providing technical and operational support to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and key stakeholders, ensuring effective delivery of sustainable finance instruments, capacity building, and resource mobilization for climate and development goals.

The specific objectives of this position include as following:

Strengthen the Government of Ecuador´s institutional capacity to access international sustainable finance.

Support the implementation of the Ecuador´s Sustainable Finance Roundtable activities in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Including structuring sustainable finance reports, research, and workshops.

Delivery of technical assistance to public and private finance sector actors in Ecuador to develop sustainable finance instruments to secure long-term concession capital, including thematic bonds (green, social and sustainability).

Support investments projects cycle, including origination, evaluation, structuring, negotiating, and financial advisory until financial close of transactions.

Foster articulation and coordinate efforts with sustainable finance projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in the Andean region.

ENGAGEMENT

Support GGGI in the engagement with public and private, national and international stakeholders, including:

Maintain relationships with the Government of Ecuador, climate funds, multilateral development banks, donors and other potential donors and partners.

Engage with financial regulators to influence finance policy development and decision making.

Engage with focal points, accredited entities and executing entities of international climate funds, including the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund and Global Environment Facility.

Support the engagement with government counterparts, negotiation MOUs, advance membership and Host Country Agreement negotiation.

Participate to GGGI-wide events to create awareness about GGGI Ecuador Program and activities.

Represent GGGI Ecuador in national, regional and international events.

The chosen candidate will report directly to the Ecuador Sustainable Finance Senior Associate.

DELIVERY

Ensure the delivery of sustainable finance activities, including:

Identify capacity gaps related to sustainable finance instruments, policies and processes.

Provide in-house support to the Ministry of Economy and Finance in tasks related to the Sustainable Finance Round Table such as reports, presentations, recommendations, and other relevant information.

Deliver technical and operational support to ensure timely and effective implementation of planned UK-PACT project activities.

Deliver sustainable finance capacity building materials, and conduct training and workshops targeting public and private sector stakeholders.

Support the development of the Sustainable Bond Framework and the Green Taxonomy.

Support the development of green/sustainable national project pipeline.

Support the development of concept notes and funding proposals for international climate funds, including the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility, and other sustainable funds.

Elaborate technical reports on green finance products, generating alerts and recommendations;

Support the financial and technical monitoring of sustainable finance projects and their technical reports.

Support the delivery of knowledge sharing exercises on thematic bonds and sustainable finance with GGGI team and key stakeholders.

Collaborate in organizing of consultation and validation workshops to validate products and activities.

Support the Andean representative on the development of technical proposals for new resource mobilization.

Collaborate and provide guidelines to firms and consultants when requested.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be a citizen of Ecuador or have a valid work permit in Ecuador.

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics or other related fields.

An advanced degree in Finance, Public Administration, Economics, Sustainable Development, or other relevant fields is a plus.

At least three (3) years of professional experience in the financial sector, in banking or public finance institutions.

Preferably 1 year of professional experience in sustainable finance.

Prior experience sourcing, structuring, and closing sustainable finance instruments such as thematic bonds or green taxonomies is a strong asset.

Verbal and written fluency in English and Spanish are essential for this position.

Prior experience working with the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Ecuador in topics of public finance and portfolio management is a strong asset.

Knowledge of and experience in adhering to internationally agreed environmental and social safeguards (ESS) and gender-sensitive design requirements.

FUNCTIONAL

Strong teamwork, collaboration, and creative problem-solving abilities.

Ability to develop and maintain working relations with public and financial sector stakeholders.

Committed to learning about the growing field of sustainable finance.

Ability to multi-task and prioritize under stressful circumstances.

Ability to interact and form relationships with high-level government officials and partners.

Good at problem solving, ask questions and seeks support when needed, shares easily information and knowledge with others both internally as externally.

Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.

CORPORATE

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

Promote the optimum use of public resources.

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

Process and shares information easily.

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

Promote creativity and innovation among staff.

Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Sustainable Finance Associate is an X6 gradelevel in GGGI’s Ecuador national salary scale. The annual base salary starts from USD 31,281. Determination of base salary depends on experience, academic background and internal equity.

GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.

The chosen candidate is expected to be based in Quito, at the premises of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.