The post of Chief, Finvest Hub will take a lead in the establishment and operationalization of ICAO Finvest Hub to facilitate enhanced access to public and private investment capacities and funding for projects contributing to the decarbonization of international aviation, particularly on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other aviation cleaner energies. The high costs associated with decarbonization initiatives and the scale of investment needed pose challenges especially for developing countries and States with limited financial resources. Recognizing the need for specific financing measures or mechanisms, including access to private and public sector financing, as well as blended investments, the Finvest Hub aims to address these challenges, facilitating the flow of finance to aviation decarbonization projects in a manner that ensures a level playing field for all ICAO Member States.

The position, which will lead the Finvest Hub internally at ICAO and externally with core stakeholders in the UN, finance and SAF world, is located in the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) and the incumbent reports to the Executive Sponsor of the programme, the Director, Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau, with whom s/he consults on complex matters. The Secretary General may provide direction, as required.

Plans and manages an appropriate process for the development and operationalization of the ICAO Finvest Hub structure , achieving results such as:

• Outline a timeframe for the development and operationalization of the Finvest Hub structure, including long-term objectives, interim deliverables and required resources;
• Lead development of a series of financing events for aviation decarbonization to provide the links between different stakeholders;
• Report on achievements, challenges and lessons learned to stakeholders, including Member States, relevant ICAO bodies, financial institutions and aviation industry stakeholders;
• Recommend possible activities to support technical assistance, capacity building and guidance for facilitating access to financial resources to ensure inclusivity and equitable participation in aviation decarbonization projects.

1. Leads on the development of a detailed design structure and framework for the ICAO Finvest Hub, achieving results such as:

• Undertake comprehensive needs assessment to design the most appropriate structure for the management of the Finvest Hub, and support the corresponding collaborative framework;
• Coordinate a high-level advisory group in the Secretariat to help develop the detailed design and framework for the establishment and operationalization of the Finvest Hub;
• Lead work to showcase aviation decarbonization projects to facilitate their financial access under the Finvest Hub, in cooperation with IT team and relevant partners;
• Support the sustainability of the Finvest Hub’s operations, including the resource mobilization efforts, and make proposals for possible expanded services and activities offered by the Finvest Hub.

Contributes to the outreach of the ICAO Finvest Hub and its services, achieving results such as:

• Support ICAO senior management in outreach activities and facilitating discussions with financial institutions, governments and other stakeholder groups;
• Promote the importance of and the need for financing for aviation decarbonization projects to attract financial resources at appropriate high-level meetings and events;
• Identify potential funding sources and financial partnerships that support aviation decarbonization projects, including in facilitating the development of financial instruments and de-risking mechanisms.
• Develop proposals and relevant content for meetings, workshops and seminars to disseminate information and share best practices regarding enhanced access to financing to support aviation decarbonization projects;
• Maintain knowledge on relevant financial, sustainability and climate policy trends and opportunities.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent), in finance, economics, accounting, law, aviation, business or public administration, engineering, or in a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience in finance, economics, accounting, law, aviation, business or public administration, engineering, or a related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

     Essential

• A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience working in financing with public and private financial institutions, climate financing project or programme management, green infrastructure project investment, or another relevant area is required.
• Experience working in the aviation industry in the areas of climate change economics and financing.
• Experience with financial risks and opportunities assessment.
• Experience engaging with complex groups of stakeholders at high level.
• Project management experience.

Desirable

• Experience working with sustainable finance principles and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.

Essential 

•  Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.

Desirable 

• A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

Professionalism: Familiarity with the climate financing and investment for the decarbonization of aviation and green infrastructure projects. Analytical mindset and ability to assess financial risks and opportunities. Project management capability. Knowledge of sustainable finance principles and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Excellent communication and negotiation skills to effectively liaise with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry and finance executives. Demonstrated ability to manage a team. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

It should be noted that this post is to be filled for an initial period of 1 year.

ICAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Secretary General and may be assigned to any activities or offices of the Organization within the duty station.

The ICAO Assembly recently reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing gender equality and the advancement of women by supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for ICAO positions, especially in the Professional and higher level categories.

ICAO staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants. The Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service adopted by ICAO, which are applicable to all staff members, are defined in the ICAO Service Code (Staff Regulations).

ICAO offers an attractive benefit package to its employees in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

The statutory retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service after 1 January 2014 is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

(*) Post Adjustment is subject to change.