Manager

Climate Finance Access Network

Individuals of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply!

Program Overview:

The Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN) was established to support developing countries in unlocking access to finance to achieve their climate objectives. By cultivating a network of highly trained climate finance advisors, CFAN builds long-lasting capacity in developing countries to (1) identify the sources and instruments for delivering climate finance, (2) establish relationships with climate finance providers, and (3) structure financing for mitigation and adaptation investments. CFAN works across developing countries with a focus on Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. 

RMI as CFAN Network Coordinator is responsible for the operationalization and expanding of the Network, for designing and implementing CFAN’s advisor training program, supporting climate finance advisors working in-country, building long-term country capacity beyond the tenure of CFAN advisors, and facilitating collaboration among CFAN’s institutional members. The growing CFAN’s membership includes 20 organizations working to improve climate finance access and impact in most vulnerable developing countries. 

Position Overview:

The CFAN Manager has a targeted mandate to assist select Caribbean governments in accessing international and domestic sources of public and private finance, and to structure finance for priority mitigation and adaptation projects. The CFAN Manager joins a global cohort of climate finance advisors and will also benefit from the Network’s peer-to-peer advisory support. Finally, the Manager will work with CFAN to conduct climate finance workshops for civil servants, building lasting capacity in-country through knowledge transfer to government officials. The CFAN manager will also work collaboratively with RMI’s Islands Team program operating in the Caribbean.

In this role you will:

• Support in designing and facilitating in-country capacity building efforts to support transfer of skills and knowledge to local staff in relevant ministries and government offices.
• Develop and submit climate finance funding proposals, including by navigating the range of financing sources, engaging stakeholders to fulfil funding proposal requirements, and assessing financial instruments to structure investments.
• Serve as an active member of the CFAN community, including by representing CFAN at events and external meetings, as well as by advancing CFAN’s value-add through peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange, and cohort activities.
• Analyze financial data and use financial projections to design and recommend suitable financial structures, with an emphasis on mini-grids.
• Coordinate between national ministries to accelerate projects through the investment pipeline.
• Where possible, pursue opportunities to finance projects through domestic resources as a means of enhancing country ownership.
• Lead project origination activities and actively contribute in adding to the green investment project pipeline.
• Conduct (pre) feasibility assessment of green investment/infrastructure projects and programs engaging all relevant stakeholders.
• Perform financial, economic, and regulatory analysis throughout project concept and design stages in collaboration with the country teams and government counterparts.
• Manage project cycle, enhance project implementation process, manage and oversee junior staff and consultants to ensure successful delivery of outputs.
   

Core Responsibilities:

• Provide country and membership engagement expertise
• Act as the lead relationship manager for the CFAN Caribbean portfolio, including liaising directly with CFAN advisor enrollment members, advisors and government focal points. 
• As CFAN expands, coordinate engagement across regional portfolios by setting up processes and approaches, including project preparation and development backstopping to other advisors.
• Actively contribute to the implementation of CFAN’s state of the art Climate Finance Training Program.
• Develop strategies, case studies, and new modalities for advancing capacity building efforts and lessons learned to support climate finance advisors in accessing and mobilizing climate finance.
• Formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds and investors
• independently plan, manage and complete projects that deliver quality outcomes in a timely and inclusive manner.
• Form relationships with high-level government officials and partners, and engage effectively to secure buy in, underpinned by strong listening, trust building, influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Develop and operationalize strategies to achieve outputs and outcomes
• Adhering to internationally agreed environmental and social safeguards (ESS) and gender-sensitive design requirements.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Engage RMI geography teams and content experts to identify and integrate knowledge, experience, and expertise into the CFAN strategy and offerings.
• Support the design and development of program strategy.
• Engage with leadership across RMI to achieve the programmatic and project needs of CFAN.
• Represent RMI as an industry expert at key conferences and other public speaking events.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in economics, [climate] finance, business administration or another related field. 
• At least 5 years of experience working in development or climate finance, preferably for financial institution or development agency.
• Experience accessing and structuring finance for climate investments.
• Experience with international climate finance institutions, particularly technical aspects of mitigation and adaptation activities
• Experience with development of renewable energy projects in developing countries
• Demonstrated ability to formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds and investors
• Demonstrated relationship-building and facilitation skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Willingness and ability to commit to in-country posting and work for and travel as required and where possible.
• Experience working in developing countries on climate and development issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency, sound knowledge, understanding of the priorities and networks for climate action in St. Lucia at the national and subnational level. St. Lucian and/or Caribbean nationals preferred.
• Prior experience in project and portfolio management, or other related fields.
• Experience with professional/peer/learning networks, communities of practice, or other types of collaborative processes to achieve scaled impact or solutions.
• Familiarity with the climate finance landscape and international climate negotiations.
• Familiarity with country climate action and commitments, including Nationally Determined Contributions planning processes.
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive text for internal and external audiences 
• Success in building coalitions for change or achieving shared or community priorities or goals.
• Experience working with multi-laterals or other complex national or sub-national partners within the climate finance landscape.
• Experience working internationally, ideally with a diversity of stakeholders.

Location  

We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby.  

Please note that this position requires you to be located in St. Lucia.

Start date: January 2023 (possibility to start part time if internally hiring)

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies. 

 We love seeing each other in person! We occasionally gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process. 

Important Note: As a U.S. federal contractor, RMI must comply with requirements outlined Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This Executive Order requires that all federal contractors and subcontractors mandate and verify that all U.S. based employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are based in the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of full vaccination status as a condition of employment. You may request accommodation for medical or religious reasons. If you are based outside of the U.S., this requirement does not apply.

Compensation

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Typically, new Managers join at the minimum to mid salary range of $103,000-$121,000. You would also have an additional 10% bonus target! 

Benefits  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package adjusted to regional norms, including (for U.S. employment):

• Medical, dental, vision insurance  
• 403b retirement options (5% match immediately)  
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability  
• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access)  
• Generous paid time off 
• Parental leave  
• Work from home and commuter allowance

Diversity    

Increasing the diversity of thought, perspectives, ideas, and opinions within RMI is a critical change element supporting our long-term sustainability and mission to build a clean, prosperous, and secure energy future.  

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMIer and collectively as an organization, ensuring that we:    

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.  
• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued.  
• Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders, and constituents within diverse communities.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.       

RMI application website 

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.