External Engagement & Communications Lead

Grade: C
Deadline: 14 September 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. The 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 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 a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle 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 work together to ideate, 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 contributing 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.

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

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.  GCF funds 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. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people.

Department Introduction 
The Office of the Executive Director (OED) serves as the Executive Director's front office and supports the Executive Director in leading the Green Climate Fund Secretariat and advancing the Fund's strategic objectives. Acting as a central coordination point between the Executive Director, Secretariat, Board, and external partners, OED drives effective decision-making, executive communications, high-level engagements on the international stage, governance and leadership processes, strategic initiatives, and organizational alignment to maximize GCF’s impact.

Role Summary
The External Engagement and Communications Lead within the Office of the Executive Director (OED) is responsible for all aspects of the Executive Director's (ED) external positioning, public presence, and strategic stakeholder engagement. This senior role is responsible for both the strategic direction and the hands-on delivery of the ED's highest-priority external engagements, thought leadership, and communications.

The External Engagement and Communications Lead designs and oversees the ED's key external moments, ensuring they strategically strengthen GCF's positioning across the international climate finance landscape and beyond. This includes translating complex climate policies into the speeches, op-eds, briefing materials, social media, events, and other messaging that bring those moments to life in line with the overall GCF communications strategy.  

The incumbent reports to the Chief of Staff and serves in an advisory capacity to the Executive Director on all matters relating to external positioning, thought leadership, and strategic communications. The External Engagement and Communications Lead directly supports the Chief of Staff to ensure the ED's office functions as a coherent, high-performing unit, coordinates closely with the Department of Communications (DCOM), and serves as a strategic partner to the Department External Relations (DER), and other relevant Fund divisions.

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Executive Thought Leadership and Strategic Positioning

Lead and deliver on the ED's external positioning and thought leadership in line with the overall GCF communications strategy, ensuring that the ED’s public voice, priorities, and high-level engagements advance GCF institutional objectives:

• Design the ED's external positioning strategy, identifying and shaping the highest-impact communications moments.
• Ensure ED thought leadership is strategically sequenced and coherent across platforms and moments.
• Develop compelling narratives that translate complex technical or policy content into accessible, persuasive communications, working with technical divisions to integrate institutional knowledge, data, and evidence.
• Monitor the global policy, geopolitical, and climate finance landscape to anticipate moments of opportunity or risk relevant to the ED's external positioning.

2. Senior Stakeholder Engagement and External Representation

Lead the strategic management of the ED's most significant external relationships, ensuring they are purposefully cultivated, well-prepared, and aligned with GCF's broader institutional goals.  

• Advise on the strategic sequencing and prioritization of high-level external engagements across governments, multilateral institutions, private finance, philanthropy, and civil society.
• Identify strategic opportunities for the ED to advance GCF's mandate through participation in key global processes, high-level forums, and strategic networks.
• Accompany the ED on overseas missions as external relations lead, coordinating real-time media, stakeholder, and public engagement.
• Ensure effective follow-through on high-level engagements, working with OED and relevant divisions to translate meetings and commitments into institutional action.
• Serve as the senior point of contact within OED for external counterparts seeking engagement with the ED, exercising discretion and sound judgment in managing those relationships.
• Represent the ED or GCF in external settings when delegated, acting with the authority and composure that such representation requires.

3.Strategic Communications, Media Engagement, and Executive Materials

Lead media strategy for the ED's highest-priority engagements across public, institutional, and internal settings, in dotted line coordination with the Department of Communications, which leads the institution's broader communications strategy and media relations portfolio.

• Develop media strategy and prepare the ED for significant media engagements—including Tier 1 global outlets and high-profile interviews—producing background research, anticipated questions, Q&A documents, quotes, statements, and key message guidance
• Provide strategic direction on communications approaches for major institutional announcements and milestones where the ED's voice is central
• Support coordination with journalists and outlets, in coordination with DCOM, on choice of outlets, interview logistics, fact-checking, and follow-up materials, and maintain strategic relationships with senior journalists and editors at key outlets
• Monitor media coverage of the ED and GCF, flagging relevant developments and opportunities, and ensuring messaging is coordinated with DCOM on broader institutional communications
• Serve as principal writer for the ED, producing speeches, op-eds, briefing materials, social media, talking points, presentation decks, one-pagers, and other messaging documents for the ED's engagements
• Draft internal emails, memos, announcements, and messages from the ED to GCF staff, board members, and stakeholders, including messaging for town halls and all-staff meetings, ensuring appropriate tone, transparency, and alignment with organizational culture and the broader internal communications strategy, in coordination with DCOM.
• Together with DCOM, maintain a repository of key messages, talking points, and institutional language for consistent use across all communications.

4. OED Leadership, Strategic Counsel, and Institutional Coordination

Play a senior leadership role within OED, reporting to the Chief of Staff, ensuring that the ED’s external agenda is aligned with Secretariat priorities, particularly as it interfaces with the wider Secretariat.

• Provide the Chief of Staff and ED with candid, strategic counsel on political and institutional dynamics and emerging reputational considerations
• Work closely with the Chief of Staff to align the ED’s external agenda with Secretariat priorities, leadership decisions, and internal institutional realities.
• Lead OED's planning for major external milestones, including key missions, major conferences, Board-related moments, and institutional milestones
• Act as a senior strategic partner to DCOM, DER, and other relevant divisions, ensuring that the ED’s priorities are integrated into shared external affairs objectives while respecting and reinforcing the mandates of those divisions.

Requirements

• Master's degree in communications, international relations, public policy, journalism, or a related field; or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, combined with an additional two (2) years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• 15 years of progressively responsible experience in external affairs, executive communications, speechwriting, international affairs, or strategic advisory roles—with a demonstrated track record of both shaping strategy and personally producing high-impact communications for principal-level leaders in complex, high-stakes environments.
• Exceptional writing ability across the full range of executive formats, including speeches, op-eds, publications, media briefing materials, social media, presentations, and internal communications, with demonstrated ability to write in an executive voice and adapt tone for diverse audiences.
• Deep familiarity with the international climate finance architecture and the multilateral institutional landscape, with the credibility to engage senior counterparts across governments, MDBs, and global institutions.
• Strong media relations skills, including the ability to develop briefing materials, Q&As, and talking points for high-stakes interviews, and experience preparing senior leaders for Tier 1 media engagement.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and the ability to design comprehensive external engagement strategies that advance institutional and executive positioning.
• Strong research skills and the ability to quickly master complex technical or policy content.
• Strong diplomatic judgment, cross-cultural awareness, and political sensitivity, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted working relationships across institutional boundaries and operate effectively as a senior strategic partner to divisional leadership.
• Ability to operate with maturity, agility, and composure in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, managing multiple competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Ability to travel internationally on a regular basis.
• Fluency in English required; additional language skills (French, Spanish, Portuguese, or others relevant to GCF's work) a bonus.

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 14 September 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.