World Bank Announces Program Officer Role to Strengthen Climate Fund Governance

Washington, DC | Global Governance & Climate Finance Careers

The World Bank Group has announced a new Program Officer (Governance) opportunity within the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Secretariat, inviting applications from experienced legal and governance professionals worldwide. The position is based in Washington, DC, offered under international recruitment, with a three-year term appointment at the GF grade level.

Applications close on 5 February 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC.

Supporting One of the World’s Largest Climate Finance Mechanisms

The Climate Investment Funds represent a $12.5 billion global climate finance platform, pioneering innovative approaches to mobilizing public and private capital for clean energy and sustainable development. CIF works exclusively through six AAA-rated multilateral development banks, enabling transformational investments in developing countries.

In a major milestone, CIF became the first multilateral climate fund to access capital markets in 2025, unlocking $500 million in private sector capital through its Capital Markets Mechanism. The CIF Secretariat, hosted by the World Bank, plays a central role in governance, strategy, partnerships, and institutional integrity.

A Governance-Critical Role at the Intersection of Law and Climate Action

The Program Officer will support CIF’s Governance portfolio, working closely with the Head of Governance, internal Secretariat teams, and key external stakeholders—including contributor countries, recipient governments, multilateral development banks, and the CIF Trustee.

This role is ideal for professionals with strong legal, policy, and institutional governance expertise seeking to contribute directly to global climate finance decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Governance Operations and Legal Advisory

• Provide legal and policy analysis on CIF governance frameworks and hosting arrangements
• Draft, review, and quality-control governance documents for Trust Fund Committee (TFC) meetings
• Prepare decision texts, technical papers, and policy documents with legal precision
• Advise on compliance, confidentiality, and disclosure requirements
• Serve as governance and legal backup support to senior leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

• Advise multilateral development banks on CIF governance rules and procedures
• Support engagement with contributor countries, recipient countries, and observers
• Prepare briefings and legal analyses for high-level governance discussions
• Coordinate with World Bank Legal and Governance departments

Knowledge Management and Process Improvement

• Maintain structured repositories of governance decisions and legal precedents
• Improve governance systems, documentation workflows, and compliance processes
• Support institutional learning and capacity-building on CIF governance

Who the World Bank Is Looking For

The ideal candidate brings:

• A law degree (LL.B., J.D., or equivalent), with a master’s degree strongly preferred
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in governance, legal advisory, or policy roles
• Strong experience working with multilateral organizations or international financial institutions
• Proven ability to interpret complex governance frameworks and institutional agreements
• Advanced drafting, negotiation, and document management skills
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive legal matters

Experience with multilateral development banks (MDBs) and familiarity with their legal and governance frameworks are considered strong advantages.

Why This Role Matters

As climate finance scales rapidly, strong governance, legal clarity, and institutional trust are essential. This role places the successful candidate at the heart of global climate decision-making—helping ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in how billions of dollars are deployed to fight climate change.

For governance and legal professionals passionate about climate action, multilateral cooperation, and global impact, this opportunity offers both responsibility and influence.

Job Snapshot

• Position: Program Officer (Governance)
• Organization: World Bank Group – Climate Investment Funds Secretariat
• Sector: Governance
• Grade: GF
• Location: Washington, DC, USA
• Recruitment Type: International
• Contract Duration: 3 years
• Application Deadline: 5 February 2026