33-008-1 | (Senior) Climate Adaptation Finance Specialist

VACANCY TITLE: (Senior) Climate Adaptation Finance Specialist

GCA PROGRAM: Climate Finance

LOCATION: Rotterdam, Netherlands

LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full time

START DATE: As soon as possible

DEADLINE: 07 March 2025

SALARY INDICATION: EUR 80,000 - 100,000 (Yearly Gross - All Inclusive)

WHO WE ARE

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector.

Our focus is firmly on those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; communities least prepared to withstand the health, social, and economic impacts of the climate emergency are our priority.

Founded in 2018, our organization is based in regional offices across key global locations. Our Europe office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the largest floating office in the world. We also have regional offices in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Beijing, as well as a dedicated knowledge and research hub in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Our work encompasses high-level policy development, research, agenda-setting and advocacy to drive faster and deeper climate adaptation. We collaborate closely with partners to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of results where they are most needed.

WHAT WILL YOU DO

Join us as we build our Climate Adaptation Finance team, offering a pivotal role for experienced, creative, and highly motivated Climate Adaptation Finance Specialist(s). This role presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of climate finance, driving transformative change and making a lasting impact on global climate resilience. At GCA, you'll have the freedom to innovate and the support to bring your ideas to life. We're on a mission to enhance global climate resilience. If you're excited about contributing to something impactful and building a sustainable future, we'd love to have you on board. 

GCA’s strategy in Africa is implemented under the flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), launched by GCA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to scale up adaptation efforts and mobilize finance for climate-resilient development in Africa. To date, GCA has integrated adaptation solutions into nearly $15 billion worth of investments funded by IFIs across Africa. GCA’s work under the AAAP focuses on four pillars where investments in adaptation and resilience building can yield high economic dividends for African nations, including: Food security; Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions; Youth entrepreneurship and adaptation jobs; and Adaptation finance. 

The Climate Adaptation Finance Specialist(s) will play a key role in facilitating access to finance for climate adaptation projects and initiatives in Africa under Pillar IV of the AAAP, which is focused on three core business lines: 

1. Technical Assistance Program: Direct access empowers African governments, institutions, and communities to manage and disburse climate finance according to their unique circumstances, enhancing ownership, accountability, and sustainability of adaptation projects. By bypassing traditional intermediaries, direct access minimizes transaction costs, streamlines decision-making processes, and accelerates the flow of funds to the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems. GCA’s engagement includes support in the process of accreditation and reaccreditation to the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund, technical support in the preparation of funding proposals and concept notes, and capacity building support for Direct Access Entities, with a particular focus on the private sector actors. In 2025, GCA is evaluating how to deepen the impact of this initiative by leveraging global climate funds to unlock finance for locally led adaptation. 

2. Scaling Market Mechanisms for Adaptation Finance: In our approach to adaptation finance, we also recognize the critical role of African financial institutions in driving climate-resilient development at the local level. Financial institutions play a key role in mobilizing and channeling finance towards adaptation projects that address the specific needs and priorities of local businesses and communities. GCA’s support aims to strengthen capacity to assess climate risks, integrate adaptation considerations into investment decisions, and develop innovative financial products tailored to support climate-adaptation initiatives. Through this engagement, GCA seeks to build a robust ecosystem of financing solutions that enables local governments, businesses, and communities to effectively adapt to climate change impacts. In 2025, GCA will work with banks and other financial institutions to embed climate risk evaluation and build the business case for climate adaptation investment to scale financial flows through the private sector. 

3. Innovative Financial Instruments: African countries need to deploy a diverse range of financial instruments to unlock capital for adaptation. Innovative financial instruments such as green bonds, climate risk insurance, and blended finance facilities can play a pivotal role in attracting capital from both public and private sources. Green bonds, for instance, provide investors with opportunities to finance projects with environmental benefits, including adaptation initiatives. Blended finance facilities combine public and private funds to mitigate risks and enhance the attractiveness of investments in adaptation projects. In 2025, a focus will be made on policy-based lending mechanisms such as financing facilities through the IMF, along with other innovative instruments. By leveraging these financial instruments strategically, we can unlock capital at scale. 

PROFILE 

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in at least one of the three core business lines with familiarity with the other two. You will work closely with internal teams, external partners, financial institutions, and donors to develop, structure, and implement financing mechanisms that support adaptation efforts across the continent. You will also provide technical expertise, guidance, and support to project developers, governments, and other stakeholders in accessing and mobilizing finance for adaptation activities. 

Key Responsibilities – General: 

• Strategic planning: Develop and lead climate finance strategies that align with GCA’s mission across all business lines. 

• Partnership building: Foster relationships with key stakeholders, including MDBs, to enhance GCA’s solutions broker role, and promote effective communication to increase GCA’s visibility and engagement with global partners. 

• Project management: Oversee project pipelines, including development, procurement, tracking, and reporting, and ensure the successful delivery of international multi-stakeholder projects within the work program, maintaining time and value efficiency. 

• Capacity building: Develop strategies to embed capacity within local, national, and regional stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and direct access entities, to access and manage climate finance for adaptation activities. 

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Support GCA systems and processes for monitoring, reporting, and evaluating the effectiveness of GCA’s initiatives and projects. 

• Cross-cutting: Collaborate with GCA thematic and regional leads for a unified approach to finance-related activities. 

Business Line I – Technical Assistance Program 

• Building pipelines: Analyze country adaptation needs and updates on climate funds to identify and develop a pipeline of adaptation projects, including screening, mission participation, and potential value evaluation. 

• Engagement: Engage closely with countries, entities, and partners to develop adaptation concept notes and support entity accreditation to GCF and AF in Africa. 

• Project delivery: Lead the design, procurement, implementation, and management of technical assistance on climate finance in Africa. Develop and review project deliverables to ensure technical robustness and clarity. 

• Knowledge sharing: Prepare knowledge products on GCA’s activities and capacity-building efforts under the Climate Finance pillar of AAAP. 

Business Line II – Scaling Market Mechanisms for Adaptation Finance 

• Business line conceptualization: Conceptualize and implement the business line on supporting African banks and other financial institutions integrate adaptation considerations into investment decisions. 

• Capacity enhancement: Develop and implement training programs, including a masterclass on climate adaptation finance, to strengthen and embed capacity within partner organizations. 

• Adaptation finance advisory: Advise partners in developing innovative financial products tailored to support climate-adaptation initiatives and provide technical assistance for blended finance and capital market solutions, engaging investors for adaptation projects. 

Business Line III – Innovative Financial Instruments 

• Advisory support: Engage with governments and partners to develop and mobilize innovative financial instruments like green bonds and private equity funds. Engage with IFIs such as the IMF and sectors to include adaptation focus and develop financial sector adaptation strategies, including stress testing and policy solutions.  

• Master’s degree in finance, economics, environmental policy, or related fields. 

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in financial sector transformation, climate risk management, sustainable finance, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience in one of the three key business lines with familiarity in the other two. 

• Proven track record in mobilizing finance for climate adaptation projects, preferably in Africa 

• Leadership skills with ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and regions 

• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and project management capabilities 

• Fluent in English; proficiency in French or other African languages preferred 

• Excellent communication skills for advocating climate finance solutions to various audiences 

• Creative problem-solving skills for innovative climate finance mobilization 

• Adaptability in rapidly changing environments and resilience in facing mobilization challenges 

• Ability to expand and leverage a network of international to local stakeholders for climate finance program support 

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required 

WHAT WE OFFER

Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents.

GCA offers a competitive salary with additional benefits, 25 days of paid leave, and a public transport travel card for free business commuting within the Netherlands.

At GCA, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued. We warmly welcome applicants from all walks of life and do not discriminate in any of our programs or activities based on race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Join us and contribute your unique perspective to our collective success.

GCA does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a detailed CV and cover letter demonstrating their relevant experience. The cover letter should avoid generalizations and rather focus on presenting your technical depth and understanding of at least one of the three business lines, using examples to explain how upstream technical assistance can be deployed to scale adaptation finance. Applications should be submitted via https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before 07 March 2025.

The recruitment process is composed of three rounds of interviews. 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. GCA also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.