Country Relations Officer - GF

World Bank Group

Description

The partnership includes 186 member governments as well as civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth, with a focus on integration and inclusivity. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $25 billion in financing and mobilized over $145 billion for country-driven priority projects.

Division staff actively participate in MEA related events and supports eligible countries in programming GEF resources to implement their MEA commitments. The Programming Division Manager oversees the preparation of the GEF Work Programs and associated documents twice a year to be presented to the GEF Council.

The Programming Division also supports GEF engagement with the private sector and the blended finance approach.

The GEF is seeking an expert and experienced specialist in international relations, public policy and/or environmental sciences to serve as a Country Relations Officer for Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa (ECA-MENA) in the GEF Programming Division.

• The ECA-MENA Country Relations Officer will lead and contribute to critical tasks ranging from capacity building programs with country counterparts, to project review to portfolio monitoring. Key Responsibilities include:
• Provide day-to-day coordination to and manage strategic engagement with GEF recipient country focal points (Operational Focal Points, Political Focal Points, GEF Council Members and Alternate Members).
• Contribute to the development of training/workshop materials and provide timely information, relevant training, and updates on GEF operational policies and guidelines to the GEF Operational Focal Points and other stakeholders.
• Support Division-wide efforts to engage and build effective partnership with recipient countries per the GEF Country Engagement Strategy, including the provision of information, training and operational support to Operational and Political focal points, in coordination with the Regional Coordinators and Country Relations Officers.
• Help implement the GEF Country Engagement Strategy and support implementation of the Country Support Program (CSP) activities https://www.thegef.org/what-we-do/topics/country-support-program.
• Maintain formal and informal communication channels with GEF Operational and Political focal points, Convention Focal points, and other stakeholders and address issues and challenges relating to GEF operations in a timely and constructive manner with these recipient country representatives.
• Engage and collaborate with GEF Operational and Political focal points, Convention focal points, civil society partners, as well as GEF Agencies and other stakeholders; promote the GEF and advocate key stakeholders in the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
• Manage and direct strategic engagement and collaboration with GEF Operational and Political focal points, civil society partners, as well as GEF Implementing Agencies and GEF Secretariat staff in relationships with operational and policy focal points.
• Support the Division team in effective collaboration across Focal Areas, with Integrated Programs, and with Regional Teams
• As directed, contribute to the development of Division strategies
• The ECA-MENA Country Relations Officer serves in the ECA-MENA Regional Team within the GEF Programming Division and reports to the Manager, Programming Division

Specific duties include the following:

Lead development and maintenance of relationships with Focal Points in designated countries:

• Serve as the GEF Secretariat focal point for the Operational Focal Points (OFPs), Political Focal Points, Council Members and other stakeholders in the designated countries.
• Onboard newly appointed OFPs and introduces them to the OFP role, their country portfolio, GEF Policies, STAR and non-STAR funding resources available, GEF Results Framework.
• Lead dialogue with OFPs to identify any needs (training, subject matter specialist/program manager consultation, etc.), requests (organization of National Dialogue, Expanded Constituency Workshop), and challenges (e.g. agency performance), and identify opportunities to address these requests.
• Act as a focal point for GEF colleagues in discussing/resolving issues that require OFP involvement.
• Lead capacity building activities in addition to Country Engagement Strategy activities in their respective regions in close collaboration with the Regional Coordinators, Partnerships team, other colleagues and partners.
• Prepare or contribute to country briefs and analytical products as requested (for bilateral meetings, etc.).
• During replenishment, support the regional representative (designated OFP) in those meetings and follow up on the regions' coordination.

Implement the GEF's Country Engagement Strategy:

• Organize various workshops and meetings, e.g. the GEF Constituency Workshops, National Dialogues, Constituency Meetings, Introduction Seminars, Stakeholder Engagement Series (SES) and other workshops as requested to build the capacity of key stakeholders to access GEF resources.

• Support Council members and respective constituencies in developing and maintaining good relations of the GEF with their governments.
• Organize virtual or face-to-face (2/3 of quorum required) Constituency meetings with the request of Council members.
• Lead Constituency meetings, present decision items, prepare presentation materials, facilitate Q/As and discussions among the country representatives.
• Foster strong relationships within constituency to identify further opportunities for operational and knowledge transfer and collaboration.

Facilitate Engagement through COPs, UNEA and other International Fora:

• Coordinate with the GEF Conventions, CEO FO and Communication teams the participation of GEF PFPs/OFPs bilateral meeting, high-level events and GEF events.

• Master's Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., economics, finance, business administration, social sciences, technical studies, or other field related to development) and at least eight years of relevant professional experience
• Strong operational experience working with organizations with governance structures similar to the GEF
• Established track record of excellence in significant operational work and project management
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage and develop appropriate and sound relationships with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and NGOs
• Experience working in developing countries, particularly in conservation and sustainable development
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to interact effectively with countries and Agencies and represent GEFSEC in delivering high quality and technically work, with internal and external partners
• High levels of energy and flexibility in adjusting to changing work program requirements in a dynamic and fast paced work environment
• Experience in the design and execution of conservation and sustainable development projects is preferred
• Experience with developing and implementing GEF projects is desirable
• Excellence in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of other UN languages, especially Russian, Arabic, French is desirable
• Understanding of the GEF's policies, procedures, and operational modalities
• Willingness to frequently travel to global, regional and national GEF related events

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

______________________________________________________________________

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you're preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

______________________________________________________________________

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)