Senior Counsel (Private Sector) at Green Climate Fund

Incheon, , South Korea -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

27 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

26 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Legal Drafting, Transaction Structures, Legal Due Diligence, Negotiating, Project Finance, Debt Finance, Equity Finance, Structured Finance, Banking, Risk Management, Legal Advice, Contract Review, Problem Solving, Knowledge Sharing, Communication, Emotional Intelligence

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Grade: D Deadline: 19 March 2026 (11:59 PM KST) Introduction The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe As we celebrate 10 years of climate action, our portfolio has grown to over USD 19.3 billion across more than 336 projects in over 130 countries[G[1] —demonstrating the transformative power of strategic climate finance at scale. In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing unprecedented public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have unparalleled scale and resources. Our risk appetite and flexibility enable us to bring together diverse partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. GCF is seeking talented individuals with a commitment to tackling complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment. You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation. You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet. You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities and bringing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds. Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world. About the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart. Over the past decade GCF has funded transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Beyond channeling public and private sector investment through diverse financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme equipping countries to increasingly manage their climate futures. Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people. Interested in more information? Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/ Position Objective The Senior Counsel will assist the General Counsel and the Assistant General Counsel (Private Sector), as the case may be, in coordinating the legal work related to operational matters of the Fund, will provide legal advice and support relating to the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of financing agreements; will conduct legal due diligence in connection with funding proposals; represent OGC internally and externally as required and prepare legal advice on the interpretation of statutes, contracts and other legal documents. Furthermore, the role will focus on scaling private sector climate finance by delivering efficient, repeatable, and legally robust transaction structures that mobilize private capital while safeguarding GCF’s risk and policy integrity. Know-How Assist the Assistant General Counsel (Private Sector), as the case may be, in the coordination of the work of the private sector projects practice group of the Office of the General Counsel in providing legal advice and support relating to operational matters and documents; Deliver and manage legal aspects of the more advanced and complex funding proposals and non-programming capital mobilization with a focus on managing legal risk, and ensuring legal documentation is aligned with best practice and the legal framework of the Fund, and draft as well as negotiate financing agreements and other legal documents required by the Fund for its operations; Conduct and review legal due diligence in connection with proposed funding structures; Advise on restructurings of existing transactions; Be solution-oriented and have the ability to creatively resolve complex issues which arise from time to time in the course of transactions and/or the implementation of new platforms or vehicles; Keep abreast of developments in the legal field especially in relation to multilateral finance and publicly-funded international financial institutions (IFIs); and Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Assistant General Counsel and the General Counsel. Problem solving Provide legal support to other divisions on matters relating to the operations of the Fund; Although the Assistant General Counsel will have primary responsibility for providing legal support and advice to Legal Counsels, Associate Counsels, consultants and interns within the Office of the General Counsel, the Senior Counsel will be expected to provide knowledge and guidance on transactional matters within OGC; Participate in GCF’s Board meetings and other events and meetings of the GCF, when required. This may include the preparation and review of relevant documentation, supervision of the work done by consultants and interns, and making presentations; and Liaise with other offices and departments within the GCF to assess and address their requirements, to lead on the drafting of legal documents. Accountability Timely delivery of review and legal assessment of funding proposals and drafting of legal documents necessary for the Fund’s legal and policy framework; Thorough, accurate and timely delivery of due diligence reports; Applying creative solutions to issues which arise in transactions from time to time; Keeping senior officers and colleagues within the Office of General Counsel and within the Fund abreast of the latest trends/developments in multilateral finance and IFIs; and Providing sound and practical legal advice on the legal policy framework and advice regarding the operations of the Fund. Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job) Juris Doctor, LLM, or equivalent law degree (a higher degree in law is an advantage); or a Bachelor’s degree plus additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree; Qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; At least 11 years of relevant work experience practicing law in cross-border transactions involving project finance, debt and/or equity finance, structured finance, guarantees, banking with a well-recognized law firm, an international financial institution and/or a development finance institution; Experience executing innovative and/or complex financial transactions is an advantage; Excellent legal drafting skills specifically of drafting financing agreements; Experience liaising with, and advising, senior members of staff; experience advising management is an advantage; Experience managing the work of external legal consultants and interns; Experience in, or working with, developing countries; Emotional intelligence and values-driven work ethic; and Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage. For details on grade levels, salary scales and benefits, please refer to: https://www.greenclimate.fund/document/staff-regulations The closing date for application is 19 March 2026. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered. *The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references. Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

The Senior Counsel will assist in coordinating legal work for operational matters, providing advice on financing agreements, conducting due diligence, and representing the Office of the General Counsel internally and externally. The role focuses on scaling private sector climate finance through legally robust transaction structures while maintaining risk and policy integrity.