Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming USAID Colombia Climate Finance Activity (CFA)

WSP is currently initiating a search for Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming USAID Colombia Climate Finance Activity (CFA). USAID CFA will leverage and mobilize public and private finance to support Colombia’s climate adaptation and mitigation targets in key sectors. The program will support the increased supply of climate investment by public and private institutions, improved enabled environment to encourage more climate smart investment, and a robust pipeline of viable climate smart projects and businesses for linking to public and private capital providers. The COP will be based in Bogotá, Colombia with frequent in-country trips.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead coordination with USAID/Colombia, USAID implementing partners, government counterparts, and other key stakeholders on a regular basis
• Provide strategic vision and overall leadership, and ensure the provision of timely, relevant, high- quality work from both long-term staff and incoming short-term consultants.
• Serve as principal liaison with Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer Representatives (COR and ACOR), government counterparts, USAID implementing partners, and other donors.
• Ensure component activities are integrated and fully leveraged so the project meets/exceeds expected results.
• Build synergies among different project activities, and pursue areas of cooperation with key counterparts, other donors, and partner institutions.
• Oversee the drafting and completion of required project reports and deliverables, such as quarterly & annual reports, annual work plans, and technical reports, ensuring their quality and timely submission.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in effectively delivering all or some of the following technical:

1. climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience (e.g., clean energy; climate smart agriculture and nature-based solutions; GhG reduction and measurement; carbon market, pricing and reporting) in developing countries.
2. working with financial institutions to develop internal knowledge and capacity to use green banking tools and financing instruments, like setting net-zero target, integrating ESG standards, creating green financial instruments, such as green bonds, and measuring and tracking carbon metrics.
3. working with FIs to develop blended finance instruments (e.g., green lending and first-loss guarantee) to help access capital by international donors, DFIs (e.g., DFC, IADB), and institutional investors.
4. working with public and private actors in climate finance policy development and implementation (e.g., green bond framework, green taxonomies)
5. working with private sector in developing a pipeline of climate-smart projects and businesses that reduce emissions and/or mitigate the impact of climate change in clean energy, green transportation, agriculture, and forestry.

• Demonstrated experience in working effectively with national governments, private sector entities, and industry/sectoral associations/community stakeholders in developing contexts, and in managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple partner institutions.
• Experience designing, implementing, and monitoring market-system approach development projects.
• Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of donor-supported programs of comparable size and complexity, with skills in high level strategic visioning and leadership.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) in Spanish. Professional proficiency in English preferred.
• An advanced degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, business administration, finance or investment, international development, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 10 years' (or 15 years with a bachelor's degree) professional experience in development at a senior program management level, including direct supervision of professional and support staff.
• At least 5 years' developing country work experience.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
  Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• This position is contingent upon WSP being selected for a contract or program we are currently pursuing.
• This position is subject to and contingent upon client approval of candidates put forth for consideration by WSP.
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in Colombia is preferred.
• Prior service as a USAID Chief of Party and with projects of comparable scale and complexity strongly preferred.

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