Climate Finance Advisor

Focus of the Role

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. 

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. 

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

The Tony Blair Institute has been supporting the Government of Togo since 2017, including the establishment of a delivery unit to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, policy advice on key economic and social reforms, as well as investment promotion support.

Today, Togo’s National Roadmap 2025 focuses on three key areas: 1) strengthening
social inclusion and harmony and consolidating peace, 2) boosting job creation based on the strengths of the economy, and 3) modernising the country and strengthening its agencies.

To support this ambition, the TBI country team provides embedded support across various government institutions to facilitate the implementation of flagship projects and key reforms with high potential for large-scale job creation and the predominant involvement of the private sector. Our team currently works across different sectors, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and climate.

Togo has endorsed also a Climate Finance National Strategy to drive its climate policy by 2027. GoT has submitted its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2021 affirming its ambition to contribute to the achievement of the global targets and its willingness to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Achieving the global target set by the NDCs requires an estimated investment of about USD 5.526 billion between 2020 and 2030 and requires external support (bilateral or multilateral). The inadequacy of domestic finance to meet the challenges posed by climate change must lead to the mobilisation and strengthening of the absorption capacity of available international funds dedicated to climate action.

In this regard, CoG looks forward to strengthening capacity for climate finance to deliver his ambition. The embedded Climate Finance Advisor role will be working with others across TBI and its partners to support CoG in effectively attracting and utilising climate finance opportunities.  

Job Introduction

We are looking for an experienced Climate Finance Advisor with diverse exposure to climate action and climate finance related initiatives. This Advisor will be responsible for broadly acting as technical and operational expert on climate finance, mainly supporting the Center of Government in prioritising and designing concept notes and funding proposals in collaboration with the CoG’s technical teams. However, the Advisor is also expected to coordinate and regularly interact with other government institutions, as well as development partners active in Togo.

Please apply asap as the reviewing of cv’s and process will commence from the 26^th June 2023

Key Responsibilities

• Assist Center of Government (CoG) in attracting climate finance in coordination with other government institutions. This may involve developing a) pipelines of potential climate programmes/projects b) climate programme/project concept notes, and c) structuring feasibility studies for these climate projects with financial, economic, social, gender, environmental and regulatory analysis ready for review by CoG decision makers
• Support CoG in prioritising climate programmes/projects that could benefit from climate finance facilities
• Identify technical capacity and overall readiness gaps with respect to accessing climate finance within CoG, to potentially plan and organize for training and knowledge sharing initiatives
• Support in identifying sources and instruments for finance, establish relationships with climate finance providers, package priority programmes/projects for application to relevant international funders and donors; engaging stakeholders to fulfil funding proposal requirements; help structure when appropriate to mobilise private investment, analysing financial data and using financial projections to design and recommend suitable financial structures
• Enhance project implementation process, in coordination with staff and consultants to ensure successful delivery of outputs
• Support CoG is its external communication strategies to amplify the voices of African government leaders in close coordination with the TBI Energy and Climate Practice, and disseminate the successes of the programme’s advisory activities
• Provide regular reports and updates on activities and achievements
• Support the TBI Country Director and other team members on various strategic initiatives, including contributing to skills development of local analysts and other activities

Person Specification

We are looking for an outstanding individual with high levels of enthusiasm, drive, resilience, a can-do attitude and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment, and track record of delivering successfully. The successful candidate should have signficant experience of working in climate advisory, preferably with development partners and/or governments in Africa. 

The requirements that should be met are:

• Significant experience working in climate finance, preferably for financial institution or development agency/experience in accessing and structuring finance for climate investments
• Experience in project management, structuring investments, presenting investment opportunities, investment appraisal
• Experience working with international climate finance institutions, particularly technical aspects of mitigation and adaptation activities
• Knowledge of and experience in adhering to internationally agreed environmental and social safeguards (ESS) and gender-sensitive design requirements
• Knowledge of climate policies applied worldwide and carbon trading schemes and understanding of economic principles such as externalities and how this relates to natural capital valuation
• Demonstrated ability to formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities; ability to develop and assess business plans and carry out financial appraisals
• Proven ability to independently plan, manage and complete projects that deliver quality outcomes in a timely and inclusive manner
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver products or presentations that are concise, easy to understand and influential
• Track record of engaging effectively to secure buy in, underpinned by strong listening, trust building, influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills
• Capacity to operate across organisational boundaries, and maintain a resilient, positive and results-focused mindset in a dynamic environment
• Promotes an organisational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership
• A creative and entrepreneurial approach to overcoming barriers and making change happen, and the ability to cope in an emotionally demanding environment
• Strong sense of ethics, discretion and perseverance required
• Willing to living and working in developing countries is desirable
• Experience interfacing with or working for a government desirable
• Advanced University degree in economics, finance, business administration or another related field
• Fluency in English and French is required

#LI-Hybrid
 

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.