Senior Governance Specialist

Overview for Vacancy

Background and Description

At COP27 and CMA4, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) established funding arrangements to assist developing countries particularly vulnerable to climate change. This decision established the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to assist developing countries vulnerable to the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change, including extreme weather and slow onset events.

At COP28 and CMA5, the COP/CMA formally approved the Fund’s Governing Instrument, designating it as part of the UNFCCC’s financial mechanism and placing it under the guidance of both COP and CMA. The decision authorized the Fund’s Board to secure a hosting arrangement with the World Bank as an interim trustee for four years, which includes hosting the Fund’s secretariat (Secretariat). The World Bank has agreed to act as trustee and administer the Trust Fund in line with the COP/CMA’s stipulations.

The Secretariat, hosted by the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and led by the Executive Director (ED), coordinates the Fund’s strategic activities across its governing bodies, including the Board, and the World Bank (as Trustee and Secretariat host), manages institutional relations with the Fund’s stakeholders, and drives thought leadership to deliver the Board’s vision and policies.

Purpose of the Role

These Terms of Reference define the responsibilities and qualifications of the Senior Governance Specialist within the FRLD Secretariat. The role advises the Secretariat on board affairs, governance, compliance, and the risk management function. The Senior Governance Specialist ensures consistency of operational instruments (e.g. operations manual, Board related frameworks and guidelines) with the Governing Instrument. The post holder will report to the Program Manager for Board Affairs and Governance and work closely with different Program Managers and the wider team to translate institutional requirements into practicable guidance to support strong governance structures that minimize risk.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Coordinate cross-unit efforts, including providing strategic advice and solutions to the Fund’s Senior Management Team (SMT) on governance and board affairs matters.
• Contribute to the coordination and delivery of the Secretariat and board’s policy agenda, including supporting consultations, technical briefings with experts.
• Contribute to the organization and support for board committees.
• Offer guidance and support to risk mitigation efforts across FRLD operations, including in areas such as program design, financing and grant instruments, procurement, and compliance with host and institutional regulations.
• Prepare Board and committee documents, decision memos, and advise on conflicts, liability, and procedural issues related to Board members including during Board proceedings.
• Liaise with the relevant World Bank units to coordinate policy alignment, and adherence to institutional legal requirements and processes.
• Monitor evolving international law, relevant national laws and regulations that might impact programming, best practices in trust fund law, and institutional policies, issuing guidance on emerging legal risks or needed adaptations.
• Oversee compliance with the Governing Instrument and internal policies in collaboration with operations, audit, and compliance teams.
• Develop policies such as the Oversight Policy, Fee policy, Operations manual, guidelines, frameworks such as the risk management framework, toolkits, checklists, training modules, and capacity building workshops to strengthen institutional compliance.
• Advise on dispute resolution where needed, coordinate with external legal counsel.
• Undertake ad hoc assignments, including during negotiations or policy developments in climate negotiations.

Selection Criteria

Education and Experience:

• An advanced degree (LL.M., J.D., or equivalent e.g., in law, public policy, international relations, environmental studies, or a related field), ideally with a focus on international law, climate policy, or sustainable development.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in international law, including but not limited to working with multilateral institutions or UNFCCC financial mechanisms.
• Proven track record drafting, negotiating, and reviewing complex legal agreements and instruments related to loss and damage in an international or multilateral context.
• Experience supporting boards of directors, including committees through drafting board papers, organizing meetings and drafting minutes.
• Experience drafting policies for national governments or international financial institutions.
• Experience coordinating work programs between institutions.
• Experience working with or within international financial institutions (e.g. World Bank, UN agencies, climate funds) is highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills, with ability to synthesize legal principles, institutional rules, and operational constraints into clear, practicable guidance.
• Strong judgment, risk awareness, and ability to assess trade-offs in policy, operational, and legal dimensions.
• Effective communication skills (written and oral), able to explain legal complexities to non-legal audiences in concise and accessible language.
• Proven stakeholder management skills, diplomacy, and ability to work collaboratively with technical, operational, and external partners.
• Ability to work under time pressure, manage multiple assignments, meet tight deadlines and work across different time zones.
• Capacity to work in a matrix, cross-functional environment and adapt to evolving institutional and policy priorities.
• Prior experience in climate finance, trust funds, or environmental funds (e.g. GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund).
• Exposure to governance, fiduciary, compliance, or dispute resolution in donor/trust fund settings.
• Familiarity with national legal systems in developing countries, privileges and immunities, and institutional liability frameworks.
• Experience delivering capacity building programs in international settings.
• Proficiency in one or more UN languages beyond English (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese) is an asset.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others

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