Fund Management Officer, Climate Innovation Challenge Fund

NIB - Nordic Investment Bank; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

International environment

4‑year contract

Job summary

Nordic Development Fund (NDF) seeks a Fund Management Officer to join the CICF team in Helsinki, Finland. You will translate strategic priorities into practical implementation, coordinating fund operations and collaborating with Nordic stakeholders and donors.

The role requires a versatile, delivery‑oriented professional who can manage multiple workstreams, support inception activities, and contribute to launching CICF. Hybrid work and cross‑border collaboration are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Understanding of development and climate issues in a global context.
• University degree in economics, business administration, development, climate and environmental science or similar relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations and administration of CICF.
• Drive implementation of Nordic collaboration with stakeholders.
• Manage grant and financial management processes including monitoring and reporting.
• Prepare materials for Fund management, governance, and donor engagement.
• Develop and implement CICF's operational processes and tools.
• Engage with service providers, grantees, and donors to ensure timely delivery.
• Collaborate with internal NDF functions and support knowledge management.
• Take responsibility for operational workstreams as priorities evolve.

Skills

Development issues understanding

Fund management

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

English fluency

French or Portuguese (adv)

IT skills (MS Office)

Travel willingness

Education

University degree in economics, business administration, development, climate/environmental science or similar

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Helsinki

Nordic Development Fund (NDF) is a joint Nordic international finance institution (IFI), established in 1988 by the five Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. NDF’s work focuses on the nexus between climate change and development in lower-income countries and countries in fragile situations. NDF provides concessionary financing with an active portfolio valued at around EUR 500 million. Together with our strategic partners, we develop, launch and scale high-impact projects to support developing countries and people vulnerable to climate change. NDF has a mission to advance Nordic climate leadership as part of the NDF Strategy 2030.

NDF is setting up a new Climate Innovation Challenge Fund (CICF), which aims to scale proven climate solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, while strengthening Nordic collaboration in climate innovation ecosystems. CICF is soon expected to transition from inception into operationalisation and long-term implementation.

We are now recruiting a Fund Management Officer to join NDF Headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and support the CICF team at NDF. Working under the strategic direction of the CICF Manager, the Fund Management Officer will translate the Fund’s strategic priorities into effective implementation while taking responsibility for agreed operational workstreams and playing a key role in the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The position calls for a versatile, proactive, and delivery-oriented professional who can work across fund operations and build strong working relationships across internal and external stakeholders. During the initial period, the Fund Management Officer will also contribute to remaining inception and operationalisation activities and help launch CICF.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations and administration of CICF, ensuring effective planning, implementation, and timely delivery of Fund activities.
• Drive the effective implementation of CICF’s Nordic collaboration approach, including identifying opportunities to partner with relevant Nordic stakeholders.
• Drive the effective implementation of grant and financial management processes, including monitoring, reporting and follow-up at project and Fund level.
• Coordinate and prepare materials required for Fund management, governance, donor, and stakeholder engagement.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of CICF’s operational processes, systems, and tools.
• Facilitate effective engagement with service providers, grantees, donors and other stakeholders, supporting timely delivery of Fund activities.
• Collaborate with internal NDF functions and support tasks related to communication and knowledge management.
• Take responsibility for agreed operational workstreams in response to the Fund’s evolving priorities and implementation needs.

Key Competencies, Experience and Personal Attributes

• Understanding of development and climate issues in a global context
• A University degree in economics, business administration, development, climate and environmental science or similar relevant field
• Relevant professional experience in program, fund, or portfolio management, preferably in an international development environment and in climate finance. Understanding of the private sector in a Sub-Saharan Africa context is an added asset
• Relevant practical experience of working with Nordic stakeholders, particularly donors, private sector companies, investors, innovation actors, or associations.
• Experience of working with private sector companies, service providers, donors, development partners or other institutional stakeholders, especially in climate innovation
• Ability to independently manage substantive workstreams, coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders, and drive deliverables to completion.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, including the ability to understand strategic objectives and translate them into practical actions.
• Excellent command of English; knowledge of other languages is an advantage (in particular French or Portuguese).
• Strong communication and IT skills (MS Office)
• Can-do mentality, strong time and priority management and ability to meet tight deadlines. Ability to work effectively with a high degree of independence.
• A team player and a natural collaborator with high levels of self-motivation and a drive for excellence, used to working flexibly at a fast pace.
• Willingness and ability to travel when needed.
• Experience of working in challenge funds, climate finance, multi-donor funded programs, or Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) development is an added advantage

We offer you

• A possibility to work in an international organisation in the field of climate change and development financing.
• Intellectually stimulating work in a multicultural and multilingual environment in a vibrant Nordic capital.
• An opportunity for a hybrid working model and other attractive employee benefits.
• A 4-year contract with the possibility for extension.

We warmly welcome expatriate employees and their families by supporting their relocation and integration. While we offer a hybrid working model, this position requires regular on-site presence at our Helsinki headquarters several days per week. Candidates not currently based in the Helsinki region should therefore be willing to relocate.

Additional information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Jatin Yadav, Climate Innovation Challenge Fund Manager ( [e-mail] ).

NDF collaborates with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) on HR and other administrative matters. Applications will go through NIB’s recruitment system and will then be processed by NDF. For more information about employment at NDF, see the People Policy.