World Resources Institute (WRI)

Role Overview

As Head of Finance, Multilevel Partnerships, you will guide CHAMP’s work to improve how cities and other subnational governments access climate finance. You will connect international finance reform and advocacy with practical support in Kenya and Colombia, using evidence from country programmes to shape recommendations and influence institutions that direct public and climate funding.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Finance and Private Sector, you will work across WRI, the NDC Partnership, country teams and external finance institutions. The role combines programme leadership, technical analysis, partnership building and diplomatic engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, delivery and monitoring of CHAMP’s climate finance workstream, aligning global advocacy, country platform development and technical assistance in Kenya and Colombia.
• Assess the policies, institutions and financing arrangements that affect subnational access to climate investment, then turn findings from country experience and global practice into practical advice for governments and finance providers.
• Plan and convene an annual knowledge exchange for national and subnational officials, platform coordinators, development banks and funders on city investment pipelines, financing access and innovative instruments.
• Coordinate partner advocacy on subnational climate finance, including developing clear proposals for multilateral development banks and climate funds and supporting engagement at international climate and finance events.
• Help colleagues in at least two CHAMP-endorsing countries strengthen country platforms so subnational authorities can contribute to governance and investment pipeline decisions; also support climate-finance responses to requests for support from four endorsing countries.
• Work with the Senior Urban and Regional Economist and the Head of National Action to coordinate assistance in Kenya and Colombia, ensuring climate strategies and investment plans reflect local priorities and identify domestic and international funding options.
• Capture and communicate programme learning, coordinate CHAMP activity with WRI teams and partners including C40 and GCoM, and contribute to research, policy and advocacy work. Represent WRI and CHAMP externally and write regularly on subnational climate finance.
• Manage the workstream’s plans, milestones, risks, budget, contracts and financial monitoring; provide progress information for programme leadership and governance, and guide finance managers or analysts in delivering high-quality work.
• Collaborate with governance, fundraising and programme colleagues to connect technical findings to advocacy priorities, develop funding proposals, cultivate funder relationships and identify potential investment partnerships.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree in economics, finance, international development, public policy or a related discipline.
• Relevant international experience in subnational or national climate finance, public finance, development banking or a related field; experience with urban or subnational climate investment is desirable. The source does not specify a minimum number of years.
• Demonstrated success advising governments or financial institutions on climate finance policy, investment planning or coordination arrangements, with evidence of results.
• Strong understanding of multilateral development banks, climate funds, public development banks and financing instruments available to local governments.
• Experience engaging senior government officials, development finance representatives and other stakeholders to build agreement and advance institutional or financial-system reform.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-country programmes, including work planning, budgeting, contracts, monitoring and risk management.
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical finance issues to audiences across policy and practice.
• Diplomatic relationship-building skills and experience working across countries, institutions and programme teams.
• Candidates seeking to be based in the UK or Kenya must already have the right to work in that country; visa sponsorship is not available for either location.

What We Offer / Why Join

This role offers the opportunity to connect country-level climate investment work with international finance reform and advocacy. You will work across a broad network of government, development finance and climate partners to help make finance systems more responsive to subnational climate priorities.