Country Lead for the Greening Financial Systems Technical Assistance Programme at DAI

OBJECTIVES

Global objective

• The Country TA (Technical Assistance) Operations Lead plays an important role in strategic oversight and delivery of all TA sub-assignments that constitute, as a whole, the Country TA Operations. The Country Lead is expected to fulfil four main roles: (1) provide ongoing high-level support to Component 1 and 2 activities, including developing and maintaining relationships with Central Bank, regulators and supervisory parties and other key government stakeholders, for example, within the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Interior, etc.; (2) provide oversight and support to the TA sub-assignment team leads, assisting them in addressing implementation obstacles that may emerge and acting as liaison between the TA sub-assignment team leads and the GFS Lead Key Expert overseeing the Country programme; (3) design and/or contribute to the delivery of expert technical support under the GFS TA, and facilitating knowledge sharing and learning activities, such as workshops, roundtables and networking events that convey information to financial sector stakeholders on regulations, reporting and best practices related to climate risk management and green finance; (4) act as the DAI Country Representative for the EIB GFS TA Programme, attending and liaising with relevant climate risk, climate and/or green finance events organized by other entities and initiatives, in coordination with both the GFS Lead Key Expert and the EIB Country Representative.
• The Country Lead will also support the GFS TA Programme Key Experts and Technical Leads in the preparation of qualitative inputs on TA sub-assignments for GFS semi-annual reports, maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the country financial sector ecosystem, and contributing to technical quality across knowledge products and technical assistance services. Lastly, the Country Lead will be responsible for the quality assurance of all the deliverables produced at the country level.

Specific objective.

• The Country Lead will provide strategic and technical insight to the GFS TA (GFS TA) Implementation Team, on a continuous part time basis throughout the GFS TA. This will be used in informing the GFS Implementation Team and the Programme Management Team at EIB on current practices and emerging trends within the financial sector, with respect to climate action, climate risk management and green finance, such as the introduction of national or bank-specific green financing programmes and products, new commercial bank climate or green finance initiatives and general climate and environment activities and initiatives of a non-financial nature that could be relevant to the GFS TA.
• The Country Lead is the relationship manager for the GFS TA, and as such, s/he is the visible face before public and private sector stakeholders, assuring they have a clear, single focal point of contact and that TA sub-assignment team leads have ongoing local support and advice of their work programmes. The Country Lead will contribute with a specialised perspective on the developments and implementation of existing approaches and instruments to scale up green and climate financing through financial intermediaries, whether at the national level or specific to certain leading edge financial intermediaries. The Country Lead is expected to bring an understanding of the challenges and barriers for climate risk management and green finance at the national level, as well as of potential opportunities for removing institutional, regulatory and market barriers through the GFS TA sub-assignments. It is of particular importance to pay attention to the knowledge and capacity building events and activities that help to bridge the gaps between policy and practice, hindering green investment and proper climate risk management at the national level.

SCOPE OF WORK

Requested services

• Country TA Operations Relationships Manager
• Country Level Oversight for Components 1 and 2
• GFS TA Reporting and Continuous Improvement Processes
• Contribute to the development of capacity and knowledge building activities, as requested by the implementation team leads, including training programs, on-line training courses, written materials and presentations, among others.
• GFS TA Communications and Visibility Planning.

Expected results

• The Country Lead will serve as the primary focal point for implementation and oversight of Country TA Operations sub-assignments.
• This key role within the GFS TA implementation framework provides in-country leadership and representation, as well as support, additionally serving as a linkage point between the global GFS Implementation Team (key experts and technical leads) and through the coordination with other non-key experts involved in Country TA Operations.

Deliverables

GFS TA Global Activities:

• Provide guidance and market intelligence in the country, supporting decision-making to the PMT and KEs in defining entry points and opportunities for engagement with financial institutions and regulators, under the two Components of the GFS TA.
• Assure leadership and representation of the GFS TA in fora and initiatives that could foster synergies and collaboration.

Country TA Operations Pre-Implementation:

• Provide feedback and insight to the Lead KE and Technical Leads with respect to the proposed TA TOR for sub-assignments, and as feasible, on the profiles of potential non-key experts identified in the recruitment process. The Country Lead may also recommend local non-key experts to the GFS global implementation team, however, it should be understood that recommendation does not guarantee selection or contracting.
• Launch of Country TA Operations, in close coordination with the Lead KE and the EIB representatives/office, whenever it is possible. Organize and schedule in-country meetings with GFS beneficiaries and with TA sub-assignment teams. The Country Lead is expected to be an active participant in weekly meetings, as these largely contribute to the development of business relationships and cross-fertilization across TA sub-assignment teams and with the global GFS implementation team.

Country TA Operations Implementation:

• The Country Lead will collaborate with the global GFS implementation team, to include regular check-in calls with the Lead Key Expert and, as needed, with the Technical Leads. It is anticipated that the Country Lead and Lead KE will speak on a biweekly basis during the first twelve months of implementation, shifting to a monthly call as TA sub-assignment progresses. At the discretion of the Country Lead and Lead KE, regular calls may occur on a weekly basis if needed, and additional contact is encouraged whenever the Country Lead identifies issues that should be brought to the attention of the global GFS implementation team.
• Organize and facilitate quarterly Country Project Steering Groups (CPSG) which may be virtual, in-person, and/or hybrid, that bring together members of the global GFS implementation team (Lead KE, Technical Leads), TA sub-assignment team leads, and relevant EIB stakeholders. This last constituency is likely to include EIB loan officers and Country representatives, but the specific invited EIB participants will be communicated by the EIB GFS Programme Manager to and through the Lead Key, in advance of the first quarterly CPSG. The Country Lead, in coordination with the Lead KE, will develop agendas for the CPSG meetings and prepare/oversee the preparation of minutes after the conclusion of each meeting.
• Focal Point for TA sub-assignment Team Leads: Check-in, through virtual calls or physical meetings, on a monthly basis brief with TA sub-assignment team leads to identify any climate risk-related issues or needs emerging during implementation and ensure that the global GFS implementation team is aware of same so as to organize additional high-level technical support as needed.
• GFS TA Country Focal Point: Develop and maintain good relationships with key public sector stakeholders such as Central Bank counterparts and representatives of Ministries undertaking climate-related activities such as the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, Interior, etc. In addition, the Country Lead will be equipped with the expertise and network to navigate the financial sector landscape, including regulators, supervisors, as well as financial intermediaries, supporting technical assistance on Component 1 or 2, as required.
• The Country Lead is expected to be in regular contact with key public sector stakeholders, as deemed appropriate, given the activities foreseen in the Country TA Operations. In addition, the Lead may participate in climate and green finance-related activities and events organized by national and international stakeholders (other than EIB) when these are relevant to ongoing Country TA Operations.
• Capacity building and learning: Work with the Lead KE and TA sub-assignment Team Leads to fine-tune awareness of climate risk and green finance knowledge and capacity building needs within the financial sector, and to design and deliver training seminars, workshops, special events, and similar activities that contribute to decreasing knowledge gaps and increasing local capacity to act on climate-related information. These activities must be aligned with the overall objectives of the GFS TA and may include trainings and workshops that help financial institutions to understand, comply and report in climate risk and green finance activities to Central Banks and regulators, as well as events and activities designed to increase understanding of specific green finance practices and opportunities.
• Develop qualitative information on in-country TA sub-assignments for inclusion in DAI GFS semi-annual reports to the EIB. A written progress brief of TA sub-assignment activities will be delivered at least 30 days in advance of the semi-annual report due dates and the Country Lead may rely on information provided by the TA sub-assignment Team Leads in the preparation of these briefings. DAI will provide guidance on the expected content of these briefings, together with the dates of scheduled GFS semi-annual reports.
• Communications and visibility: The Country Lead will oversee the implementation of the Communications and visibility plan, designed by the ISP and approved by EIB. This implementation will include the customization to the country characteristics, as well as the activities foreseen in the TA Operations. Prepare quarterly short blog posts or briefing notes on interesting national climate risk or green finance developments, as knowledge inputs for the GFS Knowledge Platform. Support the Technical Leads in the preparation of blog posts and briefing notes related to specific TA sub-assignments.

Language

• All written material and oral presentations and discussions shall be made in the English language unless otherwise agreed

EXPERTISE

This assignment contemplates the involvement of one senior non-key expert (NKE), available continuously on a part-time basis for a maximum of 100 days LOE per year (200 days LOE in total) over a two-year period. The expertise required for the implementation of the specific contract is detailed below:

The Country Lead will have:

• An understanding of both the national and international green and climate finance landscape, including an understanding of the state of implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), how national commitments before the Paris Agreement are tracked, and how financial institutions currently approach, and/or which financial institutions are active with respect to, climate action, climate risk management and green finance.
• Awareness of national green and climate finance initiatives that fit within the GFS Programme and the ability to reach country representatives of those initiatives when and as needed to carry out the functions of the Country Lead role. Understanding and knowledge of climate finance reporting platforms, tools, and methodologies to track progress on climate action.
• A general understanding of climate risk management, stress tests, and scenario building, as well as experience in supporting reporting under the TCFD, IFRS, and other standards for climate risk disclosures and reporting.
• Proven capacities in efficient coordination and oversight of complex and simultaneous project activities. Ability to provide guidance and oversight to small teams including when such teams are working remotely.
• Experience in designing and delivering training programs, workshops, and presentations for diverse stakeholder groups, preferably with an emphasis on financial system stakeholders.
• Understanding of financial markets, commercial bank operations, and key elements of credit analysis, particularly with regards to ESG due diligence, and climate finance. Knowledge of the activities and programs of national development banks and specialized public sector lending institutions, and the activities, products, and services of domestic financial institutions, especially with respect to the use of green credit lines.
• Capacity to provide strategic and executive insight, including the assessment of promising coordination and synergies with other programs operating in parallel to the GFS TA Programme.

Qualifications and skills required:

• A master’s degree in financial management, business administration, sciences, environmental economics, climate change, economics, econometrics, international relations, or other relevant advanced degree.
• Preferably 15 years, at least 10 years of experience in serving the financial sector, with proven experience in climate, credit, and market risk management, development and use of green, climate, and blended finance approaches and tools, reporting and standards, as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices.

Specific professional experience:

• Proven experience with institutional and capacity development in the climate change and climate finance sector, including green and climate transactions, standards, and reporting.
• Experience in working with regulated financial institutions with respect to green and climate finance, SME finance, strategies, policies, product development, and/or general approaches to targeted lending and risk management.
• Experience working in/with bilateral/multilateral programs; ideally including practical knowledge of the EU climate taxonomy, international climate and impact reporting standards, and knowledge of relevant investment stakeholders in the field of climate change, environment, and/or climate finance.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency with basic office applications, including MS Office.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, including the ability to integrate feedback from team members and stakeholders.
• Language skills: Demonstrated excellent command of spoken and written English.