Environmental And Social Management System (ESMS) Officer

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

Since 2013, GGGI has supported the Government of Colombia in advancing green growth through strategic partnerships with key national and subnational institutions, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, National Planning Department, and Ministry of Mines and Energy. Over the years, GGGI Colombia has evolved into a portfolio-based country program, delivering projects across multiple thematic areas such as sustainable forestry, solar PV, climate-resilient agriculture, climate action, and green investments.

A central component of GGGI’s Colombia portfolio is sustainable finance. GGGI has supported public and private financial sector actors in the development of innovative financial instruments, including green, social, and sustainability bonds; sustainability-linked instruments; debt-for-nature swaps; and green credit and guarantee mechanisms. Since 2017, these efforts have mobilized over USD 10 billion in investment commitments toward NDC and SDG objectives across its member countries.

Despite these advances, Colombia continues to face a significant gap between its climate and biodiversity ambitions and the mobilization of green financial flows. Only 2.4% of the national financial portfolio currently qualifies as green finance, and less than 3% of that is allocated to biodiversity. This reflects limited integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks within financial institutions’ regulatory and operational frameworks.

To address these gaps, the UK PACT-funded project “Enhancing Climate and Nature Risk Management and Sustainable Finance in Colombia” aims to strengthen the resilience of Colombia’s financial sector to climate, nature, and social risks by advancing the adoption of international standards such as IFRS S1/S2 and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

Two core pillars of the project are to build capacity and provide the elements to enable the design and adoption of environmental and social management systems (ESMS) in various types of financial institutions such as banks, microfinance institutions, insurance companies and specialized funds, and the inclusion of international standards related to climate, nature, social and environment in Colombian financial regulation. Both points are critical to align financial flows with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement by integrating sound ESG risk management practices and incorporating the principles of gender equality, inclusion of people with disabilities and broader social inclusion (GEDSI).

The project is implemented in collaboration with strategic partners including the Ministry of Finance, Financial Superintendency of Colombia, Asobancaria, Asomicrofinanzas, Fasecolda, and the Fondo Nacional de Garantías (FNG). It combines technical assistance, regulatory support, capacity building, pilot disclosures, and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder governance.

In this context, GGGI is seeking an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) Officer to lead the technical design and implementation of ESMS frameworks tailored to Colombia’s financial sector and support the inclusion of international standards related to climate, nature, social and environment in Colombian financial regulation. The Officer will play a critical role in bridging regulatory and operational gaps and supporting institutions in building ESG risk management systems aligned with international best practices.

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of the UK PACT-funded project “Enhancing Climate and Nature Risk Management and Sustainable Finance in Colombia,” the ESMS Officer will contribute to building institutional capacity, integrating climate-, nature-, and GEDSI-related risks into financial risk management frameworks, and aligning internal systems with international standards such as IFRS S1/S2 and TNFD. The Officer will also support the inclusion of the previously mentioned standards in the country's financial regulations.

The Officer, under the supervision and coordination of the Senior Officer for Sustainable Finance, will have a direct relationship with both regulators and financial intermediaries. With regulators, the Officer will be responsible for reviewing national regulations and identifying the most appropriate pathways to incorporate TNFD and IFRS S1/S2 standards. In relation to financial institutions, the Officer will contribute to the development of technical content and training materials for the design and implementation of Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS), will support them to solve any doubt related with the technical content and how to implemented inside the institution and will also provide direct support to FNG in the review and enhancement of its current risk management systems.

PURPOSE

This role will provide strategic and technical leadership in advancing sustainability within Colombia’s financial sector. The Officer will contribute directly to increasing the sector’s resilience to environmental and social risks by adopting these elements in each intermediary's Integrated Risk Management System, particularly among the least developed intermediaries in this area, and by supporting the inclusion of international standards related to climate, nature, and biodiversity in financial regulation. This will enable a greater flow of green, inclusive, and sustainable finance, aligning with national priorities and international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

ENGAGEMENT

The Officer will report directly to the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer.

Work in coordination with national regulatory entities such as the Financial Superintendency of Colombia (SFC) and the Ministry of Finance to ensure alignment with national policies.

Engage with financial sector associations, including Asobancaria, Asomicrofinanzas, Fasecolda, and the Banco de las Oportunidades, to facilitate the development of sector-wide ESMS guidelines.

Actively participation in the Sustainable Finance and GEDSI Working Group, contributing to a multi-stakeholder dialogue on strengthening ESG standards in the financial system.

Represent GGGI’s technical workstreams in meetings, validation workshops, and technical exchanges with beneficiary institutions and relevant stakeholders.

Engage with financial institutions to build trust and provide tailored support that strengthens their capacity to identify, assess, and manage ESG risks, ultimately facilitating their access to sustainable and inclusive finance aligned with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.

Provide direct technical assistance to the National Guarantee Fund (FNG) in the review, enhancement, and implementation of its Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), fostering a collaborative relationship to ensure alignment with sustainability standards and institutional needs.

DELIVERY

Support the integration of environmental, climate, nature-related, and GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) considerations into the risk management systems of public and private financial institutions.

Generate the technical inputs for the design, improvement, and implementation of Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) within financial institutions.

Assist financial regulators, particularly the Ministry of Finance and the Superintendence of Finance, in the incorporation of international standards, including TNFD and IFRS S1/S2, into Colombia’s financial regulatory framework.

Build the capacity of financial institutions to identify, assess, and manage ESG risks, thereby improving their access to sustainable and inclusive finance.

Provide tailored technical support to the National Guarantee Fund (FNG) to review and enhance its ESMS, aligning it with best practices and evolving sustainability requirements, including the development of criteria to integrate climate, nature, and GEDSI-related risks into guarantee instruments for MSMEs.

Identify regulatory and operational gaps in environmental and social risk management practices and propose improvements aligned with international standards such as IFRS S1/S2 and TNFD.

Develop operational manuals, technical guidelines, and sector-specific protocols for the implementation of ESMS, tailored to the contexts of commercial banking, microfinance, and insurance.

Design and deliver technical training workshops and capacity-building sessions targeting operational and managerial staff of financial institutions.

Systematize best practices, lessons learned, and pilot cases on ESMS implementation, and propose mechanisms for their scaling at the sector level.

Ensure that all deliverables are aligned with the results framework of the project, validated by beneficiary institutions, and meet the technical quality standards required by GGGI.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

Colombian nationality or valid work permit to work in Colombia.

Bachelor’s degree in law, engineering, finance, economics, public administration, or a related field of study.

(Mandatory) Post-graduate degree in banking, investment, risk management, economics, sustainability, finance, or related fields of study.

Preferred at least 6 years of professional experience in ESG risk management or ESMS design or implementation within financial institutions.

Proven experience working with international standards such as TNFD, IFRS S1/S2, or IFC Performance Standards.

Familiarity with Colombian financial regulations and the operational dynamics of the banking, microfinance, insurance, or development finance sectors.

Demonstrated experience in integrating GEDSI approaches into financial risk frameworks is considered an asset.

Strong technical knowledge of ESG risk management and sustainable finance principles.

Proven experience and technical knowledge in conducting institutional assessments and developing practical tools and manuals.

Proven capacity to deliver technical training and facilitate workshops with diverse stakeholders.

Full proficiency in English and Spanish, both written and spoken.

FUNCTIONAL

Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage constructively with government counterparts, financial institutions, and development partners.

Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines while ensuring quality outputs.

Supports an inclusive and respectful work environment, embracing diversity and GEDSI principles.

Build strong relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders based on trust and mutual respect.

Upholds high standards of ethics and professionalism in all interactions.

Promotes integrity, transparency, and accountability in professional conduct.

Encourages knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and innovation.

CORPORATE

Demonstrates commitment to GGGI’s mission, vision, and values.

Promote the optimum use of public resources.

Promotes an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.

Process and share information easily.

Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport, and resolve conflict easily.

Promote creativity and innovation among staff members.

Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Environmental and Social Management System Officer is an X8 grade level in GGGI's Colombia Salary Scale, with a full-time commitment (100% FTE) for a duration of 18 months based in Bogotá, Colombia. The salary range for the position starts at USD 28,854. Determination of base salary is subject to the candidate's experience, academic background, and internal equity.

In addition to the base salary, the contract includes a 15% contribution toward a retirement or long-term savings plan, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance coverage (including dental and vision).

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

The deadline for applications will follow the official announcement and is based on Korean Standard Time (KST). Shortlisted candidates may be invited to submit a writing sample or attend a technical interview. Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.