Sustainable Finance Expert

SEI HQ is recruiting for an experienced Sustainable Finance Expert to support with substantive advice, technical expertise and knowledge for the EPS team in finance and investment related to sustainable and just transitions in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.
The Environmental Policy and Strategy (EPS) team specializes in complex stakeholder dynamics management, focusing on transitional countries at the local, regional and national levels. The team supports governments in demand-driven sustainable, environmental and climate transitions in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
The role
SEI HQ is looking for an experienced Sustainable Finance Expert to support with substantive advice, technical expertise and knowledge for the EPS team in the areas of finance and investment related to sustainable and just transitions in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries. You will contribute to building the team’s portfolio of work, providing technical support to national governments in Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Western Balkan (WB) countries with cross-cutting transitional cross-sectoral policy work.
Initially, the successful candidate will contribute to two projects: the Green Agenda for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine project and the five-year Sustainable Transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH SuTra) programme. The Green Agenda project aims to accelerate the green transition of Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine through the development of national roadmaps (using a EU Green Deal lens). The BiH Sutra programme focuses on sustainable transitions at the municipal level.
Key duties and responsibilities
General
Build and lead EPS team’s sustainable finance portfolio
Provide overall support to successful implementation of EPS projects and lead projects
Together with EPS team members, support implementation of EPS Strategy and Action Plans and maintain highly collegial atmosphere
Collaborate and support EPS team members working on Western Balkans-related projects and initiative
Undertake research drawing on latest statistics and case studies, analyze data and country trends related to sustainable finance in EaP and WB countries

Green Agenda in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine project
Lead project-based, transitional finance team covering Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
Provide comprehensive analysis of existing financing and investment schemes in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine related to sustainable and just transition, including and not limited to domestic (country budgets, local financial institutions) and international finance (donor organizations, multilateral institutions, investment banks)
Identify and assess existing gaps and challenges related to mobilizing finances for transition in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
Analyze how economic instruments such as taxes, charges and subsidies, as well as public and private investments, can drive transformative change in line with sustainability ambitions in consideration of multiple trends and scenarios
Provide thorough analysis of innovative instruments existing in the EU and elsewhere to attract and mobilize finance for green transition in above countries
Suggest ways/possible solutions to develop different tools, frameworks and financial products for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to direct finance to green transition



Sustainable Transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH SuTra) programme
Lead analysis with main aim to understand financial landscape in BiH, identify opportunities and barriers for investments, including mobilization of private finance in BiH for environmental protection and climate change
Support identification of financial mechanisms and tools for financing of just transition at local level in BiH, including suggesting new and innovative solutions
Prepare and implement capacity-building programs for environmental stakeholders and local governments in BiH for mobilization of public and private finances for environment, climate change and just transition
Support preparation of project fiches (operationalization of priorities and measures from environmental and local transition action plans) for further financing by supporting estimation of projects and identification of funding opportunities.

Required qualifications, competencies and experience
Master’s degree in economics/development economics, international development, development finance or other closely related areas
More than seven years of experience in the climate and sustainable finance sector
A minimum of five years of experience in outreach for major initiatives or institutions involving multi-stakeholder engagement, intergovernmental negotiations and experience with the financial sector through the private or public sector
Demonstrated experience in international thought leadership, development of global and sector guidance and best practice for climate and sustainable finance
Experience with intergovernmental financial instruments and knowledge of climate finance required
Demonstrated knowledge of global trends in climate and sustainable finance, including and not limited to UNFCCC climate finance, sustainable finance, green taxonomies, innovative and blended finance, green (and social) bonds, and impact investment
Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering innovative fund mechanisms, including blended finance and PPP models
Strong knowledge of financing programs/frameworks – InvestEU (including Just Transition Mechanism), Just Transition Fund, public sector loan facilities
Thorough knowledge of and/or professional experience in EU and international environmental or climate policy frameworks, policy cycles and key decision-making processes
Knowledge of and/or participation in EU Sustainable Finance Agenda
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and proven experience in producing high-quality documents
Ability to distill key messages from complex source data/reports
Ability to work effectively and meet deadlines.

Desirable
Experience working with EU integration/accession processes related projects/programs
Knowledge of one or more local languages of Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine)
Previous experience working in EaP countries (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) and/or Western Balkans.