Climate & Nature Specialist at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

• The Climate and Nature Specialist is responsible for providing technical and operational support on climate finance, climate policy, and green investment across DBSA sectors. The role assists in mobilising climate and nature finance from global mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other climate and nature financing mechanisms. This position contributes to embedding climate and nature considerations into DBSA’s operations and supports the achievement of the Bank’s climate and nature finance targets.

Key Responsibilities    
Climate Finance Advisory & Mobilisation

• Provide advisory support on GEF/GCF climate finance processes and opportunities.
• Assist in identifying co-financing opportunities leveraging GEF/GCF funding.
• Support partnerships with internal lending units, DFIs, and private investors to expand access to climate finance.
• Contribute to advisory work on adaptation and mitigation financing mechanisms.
• Assist in preparation of policy submissions to GEF/GCF, UNFCCC mechanisms, and other fora.
• Support DBSA’s representation at climate finance meetings by preparing briefing notes and key messages.
• Provide technical input on national and international climate policy, including NDC implementation.

Project Appraisal and Portfolio Support

• Support appraisal and monitoring of climate finance projects, ensuring compliance with safeguards and accreditation requirements.
• Assist executing agencies with procurement, reporting, and documentation for GEF/GCF projects.
• Prepare technical inputs for project documentation, supervision missions, and evaluations.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain working relationships with clients, partners, and government officials to support project preparation.
• Support partnerships and networking initiatives that strengthen DBSA’s climate finance positioning.
• Liaise with investment peers to contribute to pipeline development.
• Represent DBSA in technical working groups and industry engagements.

Reporting and Governance

• Draft accurate and timely reports to GEF, GCF, and other climate finance sources in line with accreditation, fiduciary, and safeguard requirements.
• Support the management, administration, and operationalisation of DBSA-accredited climate funds, systems, and reporting frameworks.
• Maintain essential documentation, data integrity, and audit-ready records across the climate finance portfolio.
• Implement and refine reporting formats, portfolio dashboards, and decision-support tools to strengthen climate investment oversight and management.

Key Measurement of Outputs

• Number of opportunities identified and supported.
• Contribution to programmes developed and capitalised through climate and nature funds.
• Value of bankable projects supported.
• Percentage greening of loan book influenced by specialist inputs.
• Quality of stakeholder relationships maintained.
• Contribution to team performance and knowledge transfer.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Minimum Qualification

• A Bachelors Degree in Environmental/Natural Sciences, Engineering, Finance, Commerce, Economics or a relevant field.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the climate and nature/environmental sector or the financial/DFI/development sector with a focus on Climate and Nature Financing or project development for energy, water or transport, including the technical and financial aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and investments.
• Experience in climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, resilience or mitigation.
• Experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, water security, sustainable transport, or related low-carbon sectors
• Proven expertise in climate & nature metrics and GHG accounting tools.
• Understanding of GEF/GCF operations, climate and nature definitions, eligibility criteria, and fiduciary standards.
• Knowledge of climate-related markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and international best practices.
• Experience engaging senior executives in government, DFIs, the private sector, and DFI/financial institutions.
• Track record in client relationship management and transaction execution.

Desirable Requirements

• A Master's in Environmental Science related qualification, an MBA or a relevant master’s degree.
• Experience in policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement on climate issues.

Deadline:5th October,2026