The mission of the Green Climate Fund is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their people. Established in 2010, the GCF invests in transformational climate projects in the developing world. The Fund makes an ambitious contribution to global climate action and channels significant financial resources into developing countries to help build low-emission and climate-resilient societies. It is country-driven and undertakes actions that reflect the circumstances of each country concerned and its national aspirations. The GCF is a key enabler of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Since its establishment, the GCF has approved 200 projects in 141 countries and has committed USD 10 billion in climate finance. In addition, it has built up an extensive program to support developing countries to identify their needs, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. The GCF’s diverse workforce is advancing its mission from its headquarters in South Korea. Our talented staff makes unique contributions to the Fund, enriching the institution through their combined expertise and professional commitment.
Position Objective
The Data and Knowledge Management Specialist will be responsible for leading the implementation of the strategic capture and dissemination of knowledge, especially lessons learnt from the implementation of the portfolio of GCF projects and programmes. In close collaboration with the Knowledge Management Team (KMT) in the Office of the Executive Director (OED), and the Communications Team within the Division of External Affairs (DEA), the specialist will lead the development and dissemination of knowledge products via various platforms including the GCF website.
In particular, s/he will spearhead the holistic and coherent delivery of information and knowledge from the GCF portfolio which includes funded activities and grants funded through the Readiness Preparatory Support Programme (RPSP). The specialist will support and contribute to institutional learning by distilling, codifying and disseminating lessons learnt and best practices. Specifically, s/he will be responsible for generating and disseminating knowledge products such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), templates, case studies and portfolio analyses through collaborative efforts with various internal or affiliated GCF bodies and entities (i.e. Climate Investment Committee (CIC), independent Technical Advisory Panel (iTAP), Accreditation Panel (AP), accredited entities), and other climate finance institutions in coordination with the knowledge management unit and other relevant divisions. S/he will also lead/coordinate Secretariat-led portfolio level evaluations as required.
Duties and responsibilities
Purpose
Lead and coordinate codification and portfolio knowledge capture activities and development of knowledge products from Fund’s implementation experience in collaboration with other work streams in OPM, the Knowledge Management Team in OED and other divisions.
Ensure timely information sharing on portfolio status, performance and results including in relation to corporate performance through collaborations with other units/divisions including finance and risk management units.
Synthesize early trends from interim evaluations submitted by accredited entities and generate key findings for management’s consumption.
Provide substantive support to Secretariat-led portfolio level evaluations to verify results and lessons learnt from the GCF portfolio of projects/programmes.
Capture lessons learned on project/programme implementation to enhance opportunities for transformational planning, programming, adaptive management and course corrections.
Support the delivery of data manipulation and visualization.
Identifying key knowledge to be captured and monitored through GCF systems.
Engagement
Evangelize value-add of knowledge management and lessons learned by producing briefs etc to inform both internal and external stakeholders such as CIC, iTAP, and AP as well as other climate finance institutions as well as organizing internal workshops on the same
Lead the compilation of portfolio related reports and analysis as well as organizational and other support for GCF Board meetings, missions, conferences, and other events pertaining to the functioning of the OPM, e.g. preparing portfolio briefings and documents for the Head of OPM and/or other divisions.
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to address portfolio-related information requests, e.g. GCF Board, Conference of the Parties (COP), UN Agencies, OECD, GEF, and other key contributors.
Act as a central focal point for portfolio-level knowledge capture across the Secretariat.
Lead the organization and documentation of programmes/projects related reports to improve utilization and accessibility of existing documents by a wider range of stakeholders;
Deliver webinars or training on portfolio knowledge capture and implementation of lessons learnt.
Institutionalize the culture of portfolio-based knowledge capture and lessons via utilization of existing networks and platforms such as GCF website, including direct climate action platform (DCAP).
Delivery
Identify priority knowledge products to be generated in relation to capturing and leveraging lessons learnt early in the project life cycle and lead the implementation of the knowledge production work plan in OPM in collaboration with other members of the Results & Data Management (RDM) team and or divisions.
Develop knowledge products integrating lessons learned from portfolio review to support closing the learning loop.
Conduct knowledge gap analyses of GCF portfolio and impact results from a data management and learning perspective.
Provide support to various types of evaluation methodologies while ensuring lessons and knowledge throughout the project lifecycle are captured and disseminated.
Required experience and qualifications
Master’s degree in information science, management, international studies, or environmental sciences, statistics, or related field; or a Bachelor’s degree plus additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.
A minimum of 9 years of relevant work experience.
Extensive experience in knowledge management, monitoring, evaluation and learning, results-based management, portfolio performance assessments, especially in the area of climate change related work and programming.
Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate critical insights and lessons learnt effectively with a wide range of GCF stakeholders.
Proficiency in applying and/or analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data.
Experience in multilateral climate funds, with UNFCCC, an international setting and/or a startup environment, a distinct advantage.
Knowledge of GCF’s working modalities and financial instruments (grants, loans, guarantees and equity) is an added advantage.
Experience in the review, appraisal and/or evaluation of public and private sector operations entailing project finance, financial Institutions, and structured finance a distinct advantage.
Strong competence and professional skills with data manipulation and visualization software such as Tableau, Excel and Access. Experience with analyzing and managing complex data sets a distinct advantage.
Proven track record in taking initiative, delivering results under pressure, working independently and dealing with ambiguity.
Excellent communications (written and oral), as well as teamwork and coordination skills.
Experience in establishing strong and positive working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures as well as external stakeholders.
Knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.
