Policy Officer

Organization
Interpeace/Finance for Peace initiative
Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Job Type
Full-time
Deadline for Applications
07/31/2023
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their application, including a cover letter and a CV
Where to Apply
https://www.naturalhr.net/hr/recruitment/job-apply/56f8b52cb00e0a9dee7df12e050f2ba2/34664
Tags
Full-time

Position within the Finance for Peace initiative and Interpeace
The Policy Officer will work with the rest of the Finance for Peace team to support the execution and delivery of four key workstreams:

1. Creating standards and guidance for peace finance, including disseminating and iterating the Peace Finance Impact Framework (PFIF) and the Peace Finance Standard (PFS)
2. Developing catalytic market intelligence and evidence for scaling peace finance
3. Actively influencing policy and partnerships for peace finance
4. Support in the development of thematic research on Ukraine Peace Finance, Digital verification of peace impact, and Mapping of sub-national risk premia

These workstreams combine research, administrative work, policy engagement, as well as multistakeholder management. In particular, the successful Policy Officer will have to liaise with a number of external partners of the Finance for Peace initiative, including external consultants, academics, private finance, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), government donors, civil society, the UN, peacebuilders and development actors. In this context, the Finance for Peace Policy Officer will be tasked with ensuring the delivery of key research and policy engagement material as well as supporting colleagues on key event logistics and related substantive material.

Within Interpeace, the Policy Officer will be of critical importance to liaise with the rest of the Policy, Learning and Advisory Unit, as well as with the Interpeace Global Management Team (GMT) and other relevant Interpeace staff to provide regular updates on the progress of the initiative. Within the Finance for Peace team, they will support the Executive Director, the Head of Standards and Market Intelligence, the Head of Partnerships and the Head of Research and Senior Peacebuilding Advisor with research, policy and engagement strategies and contribute to the development of substantive knowledge on key issues related to Peace Finance, included in the four workstreams listed above. They will summarise key content, research and findings for key stakeholders and work closely with other members of the Finance for Peace team (comprising another Policy Officer and a Communications Advisor) to adapt material to different audiences. They will also conduct a variety of administrative tasks, including preparing donor reports, working with finance colleagues on financial reporting and monitoring, and preparing contracts for external consultants.

The Policy Officer will initially report to the Interpeace Head of Research and Senior Peacebuilding Advisor, and will subsequently report to the Executive Director of the Finance for Peace initiative once that position will be filled in the Fall of 2023. The Finance for Peace initiative is a part of the Interpeace Policy, Learning and Advisory unit, but it is envisioned that it will become a foundation independent from Interpeace in the course of 2024.

Duties and responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Interpeace Head of Research and Senior Peacebuilding Advisor and of the Executive Director, the Policy Officer assumes responsibility for the following:

• Supporting the Head of Standards and Market Intelligence and relevant consultants in the development and iteration of standards and guidance for peace finance, including the Peace Finance Impact Framework (PFIF) and the Peace Finance Standard (PFS) for Bond and Equity.
• Providing substantive input into the delivery of a research/market intelligence agenda that is formulated in partnership with key Finance for Peace stakeholders from civil society, academia, DFIs, Peacebuilding and private finance industry.
• Distilling and summarizing key messages from research for diverse policy audiences.
• In concert with relevant Interpeace colleagues, developing policy engagement strategies with key actors to communicate key policy issues emergent from research and partner consultations.
• Coordinating and participating in multistakeholder consultations carried out by the initiative, understanding key perspectives, issues and challenges facing key stakeholders.
• Participating and representing Finance for Peace in various intergovernmental policy fora, bilateral meetings on issues related to Peace Finance, ESG/Impact Investing, development, peacebuilding and financing more broadly.
• Liaising with the rest of the Interpeace Policy, Learning and Advisory Unit, the Interpeace Global Management Team (GMT), and other relevant Interpeace colleagues to exchange information and keep them abreast of recent developments within the initiative.
• Performing a variety of administrative tasks, including preparing donor reports, collaborating with finance colleagues on financial reporting and monitoring and preparing contracts for external consultants.
• Coordinating meeting logistics of key internal and external stakeholders, including the Finance for Peace Steering Committee and the rest of its governance bodies, when they will be formally established.
• Leading project management, monitoring key deliverables and timeframes as required by the initiative’s donor(s).
• Preparing briefing notes, summaries and meeting guidance and notes for follow-up, wider information sharing and for other key stakeholders involved in the initiative. This includes the Finance for Peace Steering Committee, the Interpeace Global Management Team, the Finance for Peace Governing Board, the Standards Committee and the Industry Association.

Role requirements
The successful candidate will have a strong general understanding of issues related to peacebuilding, development, ESG/impact investing, blended finance and the landscape of international development finance institutions and private financial institutions. The candidate should have strong desktop research skills, ability to quickly learn new concepts and prepare clear policy communication to different audiences. They will have strong project management and networking skills.

Education
• Undergraduate or master’s level degree in international studies, development economics, finance, social or political science, or other relevant fields.
Experience
• Minimum 4 years of experience working in at least one, or some combination of, private finance, a Development Finance Institution, peacebuilding, development, or government donor environment.
• Previous experience in a research, policy or technical role related to the above sectors.
• Familiarity with technical and political issues associated with sustainable finance, SDG, ESG investing, impact investing, blended finance, peacebuilding, donor policies in development and peacebuilding.

Competencies
• Strong desktop research and attention to detail
• Strong communication skills and ability to craft communication to very different audiences
• Strong project management skills
• Relevant domain knowledge of technical and political issues related to the Finance for Peace initiative, or ability to quickly learn and adapt knowledge.
• Ability to interact with policymakers, researchers and practitioners and government representatives related to the initiative.

Interpeace Competencies
• Collaboration and Weaving
• Communication
• Drive for results
• Adaptability and Continuous Learning
• Respect for Diversity

Success factors
• Fluent written and spoken English. Fluency in other languages is a plus.
• Strong general understanding of peacebuilding, development, finance and the landscape of international development finance institutions and private financial institutions.
• Ability to quickly learn and contribute to the ideation of new concepts.
• Creative team player with a commitment to inclusiveness and consensus building.
• Political tact and a high adaptation capacity.
• Entrepreneurial and adaptive mindset, ability to quickly adapt and contribute to a growing, fast paced Initiative.
• Commitment to the values of Interpeace, and to the mission of the initiative.
• Outstanding communication skills to a variety of stakeholders from very different backgrounds.
• Excellent social and inter-cultural skills, emotional intelligence.