Senior Sustainable Finance Partnerships Specialist

Job #:
req38542

Organization:
World Bank Group

Sector:
Climate Change

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
10/16/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

VPU Context: The Planet Vice Presidency leads the WBG's efforts to advance a livable planet as a foundation for poverty reduction, jobs and sustainable growth. Within the Planet vertical, the Climate Department accelerates and coordinates teams across sectors, regions, institutions and corporate functions to integrate climate-smart finance and solutions for maximum development impact.

Unit Context: The Partnerships for Smart Development and Cross-Sector Expertise Unit (KTCPP) in the global WBG Climate Dept brings together cross-cutting climate and sustainable finance expertise, partnerships, diplomacy, financing and capacity building platforms to enable resilient growth in emerging markets. Its portfolio spans: scalable multi-industry solutions ie energy storage, methane reduction, sustainable cooling, e-mobility, and climate tech; transition and sustainable finance capacity building; policy engagement through central banks, regulators, banking associations, and Ministries of Finance; mobilization through global climate funds; and climate diplomacy and stakeholder engagement including COPs. The Unit convenes and aligns public and private partners, supports institutional response to client priorities, and helps translate climate-smart development ambition into finance, knowledge and delivery outcomes. KTCPP motivates leaders, mobilizes finance and capacity, and mainstreams cutting-edge practices across emerging market ecosystems.

The KTCPP Unit seeks an experienced, highly versatile and collaborative (Senior) Sustainable Finance Partnerships Specialist to provide strategic, operational and external engagement support across the Unit's portfolio, with particular responsibility for: senior-level external partnerships and climate diplomacy; strategy, business planning and budget coordination; and prioritization of knowledge and cross-cutting solutions.

The successful candidate will combine knowledge of climate-smart development and sustainable finance with strong strategic judgment, operational discipline and exceptional relationship skills. The role requires the ability to: move fluently between technical and corporate issues, connect workstreams through shared incentives, anticipate needs, deliver and scale high-quality outputs, monitor/codify outcomes in a fast-changing environment, and support internal/external messaging.

Duties and Accountabilities:
• Advise on the unit's strategy, priorities, business planning, portfolio positioning, resource allocation and emerging institutional issues, translating strategic direction into clear workplans, decision points, responsibilities and follow-up actions, and monitor progress across the unit.
• Provide project-management and internal delivery, including work planning, portfolio monitoring, procurement and contract coordination, meetings and events, stakeholder follow-up, and tracking deliverables. Maintain an integrated view of major deliverables, deadlines, dependencies and resource requirements across the portfolio.
• Shape climate diplomacy engagement objectives, stakeholder strategies, institutional narratives, and identify strategic partnership opportunities that advance the unit's objectives, mobilize expertise or resources, and strengthen delivery.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including governments, private-sector institutions, multilateral and bilateral organizations, foundations, coalitions, civil society, and other climate partners.
• Advance strategic planning and coordination for the WBG's engagement in UNFCCC COP processes and other high-level climate and sustainable finance forums.
• Work across the unit's thematic areas and flexibly support priority initiatives where strategic, operational or partnership capacity is most needed, connecting technical expertise across climate finance, sustainable finance, policy and regulation, partnerships, global funds and cross-sector solutions to support integrated approaches.
• Collaborate across WBG institutions, regions, global practices, operational teams, and corporate functions. Promote effective information flow, collaboration and knowledge sharing within the unit, the Department, and across the WBG.
• Synthesize complex technical, operational and institutional information into concise recommendations, options and briefing materials for management. Prepare or oversee high-quality concept notes, briefs, presentations, guidance, talking points, and communications for internal and external audiences.
• Anticipate risks, opportunities and interdependencies, surface issues requiring management attention, and propose practical solutions.
• Undertake special assignments and surge support as priorities evolve, while maintaining quality, responsiveness and a strong service orientation.

Selection Criteria
• An advanced degree (master's or PhD) in economics, finance, business administration, public policy, international development, climate/sustainability, environmental studies, international relations, or a related field.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in climate and/or sustainable finance, strategy, operations, international development, public policy, or a related area.
• Demonstrated knowledge of climate/sustainable finance, with sufficient substantive depth to engage credibly across the unit's portfolio and translate technical issues into strategic and operational implications.
• Experience with high-level international processes, climate diplomacy, major global events or multistakeholder initiatives. Familiarity with UNFCCC COP processes and/or other complex platforms is an advantage.
• Proven external-facing partnership skills and ability to establish credibility and trusted relationships with senior representatives of governments, the private sector, international organizations, donors, foundations and civil society.
• Exceptional interpersonal, diplomacy and influencing skills; demonstrated ability to listen, build consensus, manage sensitivities and work effectively across cultures, institutions and professional disciplines.
• Strong team player, ready to collaborate closely with colleagues and across boundaries; ability to operate effectively in a decentralized, matrix environment and breakdown silos.
• Versatility and learning agility, with a track record of moving effectively across technical, strategic and operational topics applying fungible skills to unfamiliar or evolving priorities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, exercise sound judgment, maintain attention to detail and deliver reliably under tight deadlines and political dynamics.
• Proactive, collaborative, flexible and service-oriented approach; willingness to take ownership, roll up one's sleeves and contribute wherever needed.
• Outstanding analytical, writing and presentation skills, including ability to absorb large volumes of information and produce crisp, accurate and decision-ready briefs, presentations and recommendations.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Proficiency in another language is highly desirable.
• Experience working in the World Bank Group or another international development institution would be an advantage.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.