▷ Apply Now: Director, Climate

Main purpose of the role As a recognised subject-matter expert, to focus on building an impactful portfolio in India, with oversight of existing and new grantees mainly on renewables deployment, transport electrification, industrial decarbonization, cooling, air quality, and sustainable finance. This role involves representing CIFF and collaborating closely with major businesses, financial institutions, governments, diverse civil society partners and funders, and other key stakeholders to accelerate the transition in the financial and corporate sector and drive real world emissions reduction, and deliver long-term impact. Role’s responsibilities As a member of the India Climate Senior Management Team (SMT) - Take full and collective accountability for the development and implementation of Climate Sector priorities and plans, including CIFF’s clean growth and India sustainable finance Programs, ensuring they are aligned to the Foundation Strategy. - As a recognised subject-matter expert in Climate Sector, provide up-to-date, professional advice to the Executive Team and CIFF Board on related issues, to support the development of Foundation strategies, policies and initiatives. - Take the lead on corporate, cross-cutting initiatives and projects, as required by the Executive Team. - Provide compelling, consistent and united leadership which creates clarity for all staff in the Sector Team and builds a sense of shared accountability for its success and that of the organisation. - Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector , acting at all times as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the organisation’s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy. Sector responsibilities Strategy & planning - As a recognised expert in energy and climate, contribute to the development and review of CIFF India’s existing climate strategy and programmes, to ensure CIFF is making maximum impact in those areas with the resources available. - Lead the development and implementation of relevant aspects of the CIFF India’s Climate Executable Plan, aligned to CIFF’s Global Climate mission to ensure the effective in-year prioritisation of resources and activities. Programme development, delivery & performance - Oversee both the development of successful investment proposals and implementation of high-impact programmes by the team, ensuring the quality, timeliness and strategic alignment of their work to Foundation priorities and objectives. - Allocate and monitor achievement of individual targets for pipeline, new investments & grant draw-down for all relevant team members, to ensure the India ClimateTeam meets its objectives for programme development and delivery. - Conduct regular reviews of investment proposals under development and programmes in delivery, to monitor compliance with agreed due diligence and risk management protocols, ensuring the interests and reputation of the Foundation are appropriately and proportionately protected. Intervene to take corrective action where necessary. - Ensure all investment proposals and programmes are underpinned by appropriate VFM and monitoring and evaluation processes and procedures, in accordance with the frameworks. This enables the development of rigorous evidence and implementation of analysis procedures that supports CIFF’s advocacy, scaling-up and mainstreaming agendas. - As a recognised subject-matter expert, provide advice, specialist guidance and mentoring support to colleagues (within and beyond the team) to deepen the skills, capability and professionalism of the organisation. - In conjunction with the Partnerships function, ensure that appropriate procedures and frameworks are in place to support the effective leveraging and scaling-up of successful programmes and initiatives. - Review the processes and procedures in place across the India Climate Team, to identify and implement improved ways of working that increase operational effectiveness and efficiency. - Lead the collection and analysis of team performance data and management information, in accordance with CIFF corporate frameworks and requirements, to enable timely and effective decision-making and planning. Sector knowledge and profile-building - Proactively maintain extensive external networks with governments, experts and opinion-formers within climate and energy sector, with financial and capital market regulators, financial institutions, corporates, standard setting bodies etc., in order to ensure India Climate portfolio is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research. - Undertake or commission sector-relevant research and analysis to inform the effective development, delivery and evaluation of India programmes and initiatives. - Work with the Communications teams on the development and promotion of high-quality thought leadership, communication and advocacy materials to raise awareness about CIFF’s work within the sector, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s communications and advocacy strategies. Stakeholder and partner management - In accordance with agreed account management principles and plans, identify, cultivate and manage relationships with nominated key partners/stakeholders, to support the achievement of Foundation and India Climate Sector Team objectives in a coordinated manner. - Advise and support more junior colleagues in identifying, negotiating with and managing appropriate programme partners (as required), to enable CIFF to maximise its philanthropic impact through effective collaboration. Leadership of the team - Set and monitor achievement of performance and personal development objectives for all direct reports, so that a culture of continuous improvement and learning is embedded within the India Climate Sector Team. - Provide inspiring and motivational leadership that role models CIFF’s values and behaviours and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellence. Requirements Skills & Experience - Recognised as a subject-matter expert in an area relevant to the Climate Sector’s strategy focus – renewable energy, transport electrification, industrial decarbonization - (as evidenced via publications and/or previous programme delivery), with a track record of working successfully in India - Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the international development sector - Expertise in climate finance and corporate sustainability (as evidenced via publications and/or previous programme delivery), with a track record of working successfully in India - A deep understanding of international energy and climate change policy and political strategy as it relates to India and the broader South, Southeast, and East Asia regions. Awareness of charitable sector governance and decision-making processes. - Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning - Excellent people leadership skills and proven ability to motivate, develop and hold to account a small to medium-sized teams of professionals - Effectively champions and promotes causes – credible and professional, they always present the foundation’s programmes in a compelling way to engage the audience - Proven success in building and maintaining strategic relationships and working in partnership; has highly developed influencing and negotiation skills, and effectively collaborates to deliver maximum impact - Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness - Policy making experience and/or highly effective advocacy and campaigning skills. - Ability to think at systemic level to develop transformational grant strategies. - Experience of fundraising and/or managing co-funding partnerships. - Experience of identifying and delivering business process improvements. - English is CIFF’s business language – we expect all of our people to display outstanding verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role - Able to think critically and analytically to draw sound conclusions on the basis of complex data - Experience of identifying and delivering business process improvements - High-level of financial literacy Key working relationships - CIFF Executive team and Board members - Other CIFF teams – particularly Partnerships, Legal and functional teams (e.g., HR, finance and External Affairs) - International charities and NGOs - Research and academic institutions active within sector specialism - Climate Programme Directors Benefits CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following. - Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days. - Bonus - CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme. - Training allowance - Wellbeing allowance - Life insurance - Medical insurance Please submit your application on or before Friday 7th November CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.