Director – Climate & Development Finance
Candidates should send their application (CV, cover letter and contacts of two referees) to Dorthe Nielsen as soon as possible and no later than by COB on 17 January, 2025. Interviews will be held in presence in Paris the w/c 27 January.
Your mission
You will lead and develop the policy engagement and research related to international climate and development finance for the climate transition at the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE). This will include growing the strategic engagement and impact internationally, raising funding for and overseeing the implementation of high-quality research projects that bring decisive evidence to the international public policy debate. You will lead on identifying the new frontiers of I4CE’s research and engagement on climate and development finance internationally and ensure that the team of researchers thrive in a collaborative and empowering work environment.
The mission is focused around both leadership on high quality research and strategic engagement for impact. The role can be adapted to the right candidate with a significant experience in one of those functions and with a strong potential to further develop the required skillset.
About I4CE
The Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) is a non-profit research institute that contributes through its analyses to the debate on public policies for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.
We promote effective, efficient, and fair policies. Our 40 experts collaborate with governments, local authorities, the European Union, international financial institutions, civil society organisations, and the media. Our work covers three transitions – energy, agriculture, and forests – and six economic challenges: investment, public financing, development financing, financial regulation, carbon pricing, and carbon certification.
I4CE is a registered non-profit organisation, founded by the French national promotional public bank Caisse des Dépôts and the French Development Agency (AFD).
Reinforcing international engagement is one of I4CE‘s strategic priorities, as the momentum – and the challenges – for financing the climate transition is growing at the global level and 2025 is set to be a decisive year. Over the past few years, I4CE has been among the leading think-tanks fostering discussion on climate mainstreaming and Paris alignment in public development banks. Our international work also includes research and development of methodologies and tools on financing plans for the climate transition at country level and is undertaken in coordination with a number of international partners.
The role
The position of Director – Climate & Development Finance is of significant importance to the organisation. Responsibilities include:
- Developing and steering I4CE‘s strategy and priorities for international engagement, including on policy and research to advance a progressive climate investment agenda, ensuring a strong strategic fit with international developments.
- Maximising the impact of I4CE‘s work, reinforcing the Institute’s capacity to produce and promote research on an international scale, developing and maintaining a relevant network of decision makers, experts and stakeholders, within the leading international institutions.
- Fundraising for research, building on strong relationships with international funders and engaging with I4CE‘s key financial partners on relevant focus areas, seeking new project-based and unrestricted funding opportunities.
- Team leadership and development, ensuring a supportive and empowering work environment for team members to grow their skills. Direct line management of experienced team members, overseeing the quality of the research, outreach, work planning and allocation of resources.
- Heading the Secretariat of the “Mainstreaming Climate in Financial Institutions” initiative, including overseeing the initiative’s strategy and work programme, staffing and resourcing, interactions with partners, outreach and external representation.
- Participating in collective decision-making within I4CE, in particular within the Management Committee, alongside all directors, and reporting to the Board of Directors as appropriate.
Professional profile
The position is aimed at a professional with 15+ years of relevant experience with a strong mix of strategy and research competences, as well as an educational background in the field of development finance, economics, political science, environment or similar at MSc or PhD level. The skills set ideally required for this position is:
- A strategic mindset and a solid experience in political outreach strategy development and implementation.
- Experience of leading the production for high-quality research, and the ability to guide researchers with innovative research ideas, to understand their research topics and challenge them intellectually.
- A solid track record of sourcing funding, with the ability to shape new impact-driven research projects and manage a portfolio of multiannual research projects.
- Excellent understanding of the international climate and development finance agenda, including a good knowledge of climate mainstreaming issues and the role of public development banks.
- An established network of international contacts within the climate finance, development and public finance community, including of international organisations and donors.
- Excellent people management and decision-making skills, empowering colleagues to grow and thrive in their jobs.
- Very good diplomacy, moderation and networking skills, at ease in high-level settings.
- Demonstrated project management skills (strategy development, research project management, fundraising & resources management),
- Excellent command of written and spoken English and professional command of French in a necessity. Competences in other major European languages, for example Spanish or Portuguese, is a plus.
- Highly motivated to help I4CE develop, enthusiastic to bring forward fresh ideas and insights.
Contract
Type of contract: Permanent contract (CDI).
Start date: As soon as possible and no later than 1 May 2025
Location: I4CE offices are located at 30 rue de Fleurus – 75006 Paris, with possibility to work a large portion of the time remotely.
Remuneration: The salary and additional compensation at I4CE are in line with the level of remuneration in the think tank community. The annual gross salary will be proportional to the level of experience and between 60.000 and 80.000 Euros + approx. 10% performance bonus and other benefits.
Contact: Dorthe Nielsen, Director for Strategic Engagement.
