Opportunity
Abt seeks a qualified Resilience Finance Lead (Disaster Risk Finance- DRF) to support the USAID-funded Caribbean Resilient Economies and Sectors (RESET) Activity. The purpose of this activity is to reduce systemic constraints to climate and disaster finance and increase investments in resilience across priority sectors. The activity is has the following objectives:
- Objective 1: Increased capacity of the public sector to develop, update and implement financial instruments for climate and disaster-related fiscal risk management and investment in key sectors for resilience.
- Objective 2: Improved private sector investment in resilience.
- Objective 3: Productive partnerships for resilience established and strengthened.
The Resilience Finance Lead will lead the development of interventions to increase the capacity of the public sector of supported countries to develop, update and implement financial instruments for climate and disaster-related fiscal risk management and investment in key sectors for resilience. These will include interventions to update/develop DRF tools to cover the entire spectrum of risk (from small, frequent events to rare, extreme events), as well as interventions to support the development of viable climate resilience projects that are ready to receive financial resources from the private sector and international climate funds.
The position is anticipated to be full-time for the five-year duration of the activity and be based in Barbados.
Core Responsibilities
- Assist government agencies to develop and implement Disaster Risk Finance Strategies to adequately cover the spectrum of frequencies and severity of climate-related shocks being faced now and in the future.
- Lead and oversee the provision of technical assistance to support the development of public wholistic DRF strategies, structuring of specific risk-management products, and readiness for/access to mechanisms like contingent-credit facilities.
- Help design financial mechanisms (e.g., grants) to mobilize public and private capital towards the launch or uptake of new instruments at a regional and national level (e.g., premiums for regional DRF products, grants for research and development of national insurance products, including for specific sectors).
- Provide guidance and oversee financial advisors supporting the public sector in the development of initiatives to help manage the fiscal risks related to climate change.
- Lead the development of interventions to improve the enabling environment for climate finance.
- Lead and oversee the provision of technical assistance to develop climate resilience projects that are ready to be funded and that are aligned with country priorities, as described in National Adaptation Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions, and national climate-related strategies.
- Lead and oversee the provision of technical assistance to build the capacity of the public sector to develop and manage new investment vehicles.
- Collaborate with the RESET team on interventions to enhance the public sector’s capacity to make investments and adopt public policies that benefit underrepresented communities, women, youth, indigenous populations, and people with disabilities.
- Contribute to cross-cutting activities, such as private sector engagement; building productive partnerships for resilience; gender and social inclusion; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; and collaborating, learning, and adapting.
What We Value
- Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience
- Master’s degree in economics, finance, international development, business, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of experience in climate finance
- At least 4 years working in the development and implementation of DRF strategies for the public sector or blended finance mechanisms
- Knowledge of financial instruments for climate adaptation/mitigation activities and to attract private sector funds
- Demonstrated track record of mobilizing finance from the public and/or private sectors, preferably for investments in areas related to climate change and/or disaster risk management, including through the use of grants, loans, and other mechanisms provided by specialized climate finance sources (e.g., Green Climate Fund).
- In-depth knowledge of Public-Private Partnerships, including the legal and regulatory requirements for developing them in relevant Caribbean countries.
- In-depth understanding of Caribbean countries’ policies and political context, and of the challenges and opportunities that these create for the adoption and/or strengthening of DRF strategies for the public sector.
- Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative working partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and sub-national governments, the donor community, private sector, civil society, and academia.
- In depth understanding of ESC context
- Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, diplomacy, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage high-level relationships and motivate subordinates.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
- Strong skills in verbal and written communication required
- Fluency in English required.
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks,which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt Associates also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from jobapplicants’ 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 their understanding of theserecruitment procedures.
