Job Abstract

Senior Biodiversity Specialist

Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.

The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five multilateral environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF was also recently designated to serve as part of the financial mechanism of the international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Since 1991, the GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $24.7 billion in grants for over 5,700 projects in over 170 countries.

The GEF Secretariat is a Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank for administrative purposes and has approximately 70 professional, administrative and client support staff.

In 2023, the GEF established the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) in response to decisions taken at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The GBFF is part of the GEF family of funds, and has its own governance arrangements and project cycle that differ from other GEF funds. In June 2023, the GEF Council approved the arrangements to establish the GBFF and its Programming Directions. The GBFF establishment decision was ratified at the seventh GEF Assembly in August 2023, and the fund was launched. The first GBFF Council was held in February 2024. With the first tranche of the GBFF support released, the first and second rounds of the GBFF project preparation grant (PPG) submissions were announced in February 2024.

The GEF Secretariat is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Biodiversity Specialist to join its GBFF team to support the GBFF programming in developing countries to address their commitments and contributions towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The ideal candidate should have a good understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement and of the dynamics of GEF client countries. The candidate should have strong interpersonal skills, experience with biodiversity management and/or support in developing countries, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the GBFF Council and across different agencies of the GEF.

S/he will: be responsible for monitoring and steering the GBFF portfolio; conduct technical reviews that ensure high quality project proposals for Council approval and CEO endorsement; be responsible for formulation of technical and strategic documents on GBFF implementation; coordinate with the Implementing Agencies, the Trustee and the CBD Secretariat; and report to the GBFF Council and the Convention.

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

Under the supervision of the Manager of the GEF MEAs and Funds Division, the Senior Biodiversity Specialist will have the following duties:

1. Contribute to the implementation of the GBFF, including its programming directions, governance arrangements, portfolio development and management, in line with the agreed GBFF policies and strategies, decisions by the GBFF Council, and relevant CBD COP guidance.
2. Manage reviews of project proposals to be financed by the GBFF, according to the agreed project review criteria, provide review comments and guidance, and assist in overall preparation of work programs to be presented to the GBFF Council.
3. Maintain and enhance a productive dialogue with GEF Agencies and countries, providing information and guidance consistent with GEF decisions to: (i) assist countries in the development of project proposals; (ii) maintain consistency with, and responsiveness to, the Convention guidance; and (iv) build synergies across different GEF family of funds.
4. Support the development and delivery of Council documents and other reports, and contribute to the preparations for GBFF Council meetings, Advisory Group(s) and Auxiliary Body meetings.
5. Participate in the political outreach in international fora, in particular the CBD and related processes, and other technical and scientific engagements, and represent the GEF at a senior level.
6. Provide quality inputs to CEO, Director, and Manager on thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents.
7. In collaboration with the GEF BD focal area coordinator, contribute to maintain a well-coordinated, GEF-wide biodiversity cadre of professional staff and programming support to countries from the GEF Trust Fund and the GBFF.
8. Support and collaborate with the Policy and Operations team on the GBFF project cycle and its associated policy, strategy, and guideline needs to ensure continued implementation of a simple and effective project cycle for easy and efficient access.
9. Engage in donor relations activities as requested, including preparation of strategic and analytical documents to inform resource mobilization efforts and discussions.
10. Provide backstopping to GEF senior management and carry out additional technical and policy-relevant tasks as assigned.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in the field of environmental and natural resources management, conservation, or another relevant discipline.
• At least 10 years relevant experience in addressing biodiversity at the national or international level required, and experiences in managing biodiversity in developing countries would be an advantage. In depth understanding of scientific, economic, social, and political dimensions of biodiversity and conservation.
• Knowledge of relevant CBD negotiations and decisions, in particular the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, financial mechanism, and resource mobilization.
• Strong knowledge of the operations of the GEF, its strategies, policies and its GBFF program would be an advantage.
• Ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and civil society organizations.
• Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically.
• Proven ability to work with and across teams, both as a team leader and team member.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Language skills is in French, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Portuguese is highly desirable.
• Must be able to work in a multicultural environment, and also independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines

WBG Core Competencies

Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client
• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable
• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients
• Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.
• Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront
• Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect
• Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due. Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes
• Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Develops innovative solutions with others
• Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions
• Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG’s values and mission
• Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context

Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions
• Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners
• Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others
• Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff
• Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks

Recommends and takes decisive action
• Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions
Commits to a decision and acts once a decision has been reached

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.