Adviser, Washington, DC

World Bank Group; Washington; On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

World Bank Group in Washington, DC seeks a Senior Adviser to support the Executive Director with strategic advice, governance matters, and resource mobilization. The role entails working across the Secretariat to advance the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, coordinating high‑level engagement and external representation, and strengthening organizational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate brings extensive international development experience, superb communication skills, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in public policy, economics, finance, climate change, international development, environmental studies, international relations or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in climate finance, development finance, international institutions or related areas.
• Experience advising senior executives, governing bodies, governments, multilateral institutions on complex strategic matters.
• Strong understanding of international climate finance architecture and the UNFCCC/Paris processes.
• Ability to translate complex institutional issues into concise, decision-ready advice.
• Excellent judgment, political awareness, diplomacy and discretion.
• Experience working in complex multilateral or international environments.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of French or another relevant international language would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Advice and Decision Support to the Executive Director.
• Support in Board and Governance Matters.
• Support to Strategic and Institutional Development.
• Support on Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships.
• Support to External Representation and High-Level Engagement.
• Support Secretariat Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Executive communication

Diplomacy

Cross-cultural collaboration

Education

Advanced degree in public policy/related field

Job description

Job #: req38479

Organization: World Bank Group

Sector: Climate Change

Grade: GG

Term Duration: 2 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC, United States

Required Language(s): English

Closing Date: 11/3/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

Unit Context:

The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) was established to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to associated economic and non-economic loss and damage, including from extreme weather events and slow-onset events. The Fund is governed by its Board and is served by an independent Secretariat hosted by the World Bank on an interim basis.

The Secretariat is led by the Executive Director (ED). The Board-approved Terms of Reference for the Executive Director establish the ED's mandate and responsibilities for leading the Secretariat and supporting the Board in advancing the Fund from institutional establishment toward delivery at scale. The ED's responsibilities encompass, among other areas, strategic leadership; implementation of Board policies and decisions; management of the Secretariat and its work programme; external representation and strategic partnerships; resource mobilization; communications and knowledge; human resources; and budget and administration. As the Fund develops and the breadth, complexity and intensity of the ED's responsibilities increase, the ED requires dedicated senior-level advisory capacity to support the effective execution of this mandate.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Assignments will be determined by the ED based on priorities arising from the ED's mandate and responsibilities.
• The Adviser will complement, rather than duplicate or substitute for, responsibilities assigned within the Secretariat's organizational structure.
• Where an assignment touches upon the responsibilities of another Secretariat function, the Adviser will work in coordination with the relevant lead, as directed by the ED.

The Senior Adviser will support the Executive Director in selected aspects of the ED's Board-approved mandate. The precise scope and priority of assignments will be determined by the ED and may evolve according to the needs of the Fund:

• Strategic Advice and Decision Support
• Support in Board and Governance Matters
• Support to Strategic and Institutional Development
• Support on Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships
• Support to External Representation and High-Level Engagement
• Support to Secretariat Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness

This role provides support to a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF). Roles funded by a FIF are subject to the WBG Staff Directives and Procedures. Additionally, the FIF's governance framework and funding are also relevant to this role.

Selection Criteria

• An advanced university degree in public policy, economics, finance, climate change, international development, environmental studies, international relations or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in areas relevant to the mandate of the Fund, including climate finance, development finance, international institutions, governance, institutional strategy, resource mobilization or senior strategic advisory work.
• Significant experience advising senior executives, governing bodies, governments, multilateral institutions or comparable organizations on complex strategic matters.
• Strong understanding of the international climate finance architecture and the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement processes.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex institutional, political, financial and organizational issues and translate them into concise and decision-ready advice.
• Excellent judgment, political awareness, diplomacy and discretion.
• Ability to operate effectively across institutional and functional boundaries without creating duplication or ambiguity of roles.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working in complex multilateral or international environments.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of French or another relevant international language would be an advantage.

Professional Conduct and Confidentiality

• Maintain the highest standards of integrity, independence, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Comply with applicable World Bank and FRLD policies and requirements.
• Protect confidential and non-public information obtained through the assignment.
• Promptly disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Exercise particular discretion given the direct advisory relationship with the Executive Director.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

• 1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.