External Engagement and Communications Lead

Job Posting Organization:
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 by the 194 countries that are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is recognized as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund, with a mission to support transformative climate projects across developing countries. GCF has a portfolio of 360 projects across 134 countries, with a total commitment of USD 20.5 billion to date. In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged to support its new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027, with an ambition to grow to at least a USD 50 billion fund by 203

• The organization operates with a diverse workforce of over 300 employees and is headquartered in the Republic of Korea. GCF aims to mobilize public and private sector financial flows for climate action, focusing on the most vulnerable communities and ensuring that actions are tailored to the unique circumstances of each nation it supports.

Job Overview:
The External Engagement and Communications Lead is a senior role within the Office of the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director (OED) at GCF. This position is responsible for managing the Executive Director's external positioning, public presence, and strategic stakeholder engagement. The incumbent will design and oversee the ED's key external moments, ensuring they align with GCF's communications strategy and strengthen its positioning in the international climate finance landscape. The role requires a commitment to making a measurable difference in climate action initiatives and involves working closely with a diverse team of professionals from various backgrounds. The successful candidate will be expected to translate complex climate policies into accessible communications, engage with high-level stakeholders, and represent GCF in external settings, all while fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Executive Thought Leadership and Strategic Positioning: Lead the ED's external positioning and thought leadership, ensuring alignment with GCF's communications strategy. Design the ED's external positioning strategy and develop compelling narratives that translate complex technical content into persuasive communications. Monitor the global policy landscape to identify opportunities for the ED's engagement.
• Senior Stakeholder Engagement and External Representation: Manage the ED's significant external relationships, ensuring they are well-prepared and aligned with GCF's goals. Advise on the sequencing of high-level engagements and accompany the ED on overseas missions. Ensure effective follow-through on engagements and represent the ED in external settings when necessary.
• Strategic Communications, Media Engagement, and Executive Materials: Lead media strategy for the ED's engagements, preparing the ED for significant media interactions and developing strategic communications approaches for major announcements. Draft speeches, op-eds, and other messaging documents for the ED's engagements.
• OED Leadership, Strategic Counsel, and Institutional Coordination: Play a senior leadership role within OED, ensuring the ED’s external agenda aligns with Secretariat priorities. Provide strategic counsel on political dynamics and lead planning for major external milestones.

Required Qualifications:
A Master's degree in communications, international relations, public policy, journalism, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline combined with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. The candidate must have at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs, executive communications, or strategic advisory roles, with a proven track record of producing high-impact communications for principal-level leaders. Exceptional writing ability across various executive formats is essential, along with deep familiarity with the international climate finance architecture and strong media relations skills. The candidate should possess exceptional strategic thinking, research skills, and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in communications, international relations, public policy, journalism, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, combined with additional professional experience, may also be considered. The educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding complex climate policies and effective communication strategies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs, executive communications, speechwriting, or strategic advisory roles. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to shape strategy and produce high-impact communications in complex, high-stakes environments. Experience in engaging with senior counterparts across governments and multilateral institutions is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additional language skills in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or other languages relevant to GCF's work are considered a bonus and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is a senior role within the GCF and is expected to involve regular international travel. The closing date for applications is 14 September 2026, and applications submitted after this date may not be considered. The organization encourages applications from women and nationals of developing countries. For details on grade levels, salary scales, and benefits, candidates can refer to the GCF staff regulations.