KfW Development Bank, one of the world’s leading bilateral development banks, finances and manages some 2.000 development projects in more than 100 countries. We work on behalf of the German Government, helping to achieve the goals set for German Development Cooperation: Protecting the environment, ensuring peace, enhancing economic development and reducing poverty. In Serbia, KfW so far has financed more than 150 projects worth more than 2 billion Euro, promoting sustainable investments mainly in the environmental, energy and financial sector. Our Belgrade office with a staff of 8 professionals was established in 2001.
In order to enhance the German-Serbian Development Cooperation (DC) in the focal area of climate and energy, both governments signed an agreement in October 2021 to set up a “climate partnership”. To implement that partnership, a so-called “Task Team Climate (TTC)” has been established jointly by GIZ and KfW. This TTC consists of two seconded, German GIZ and KfW staff members as well as two local experts. The KfW Development Bank through its Belgrade office is searching for a highly qualified and very motivated “Local Climate Expert (LCE)” (m/f/d) as a member of the TTC. The LCE’s role will be to support the positioning of the TTK and to implement Serbian-German Climate Partnership in close coordination with the competent Serbian partner institutions (e.g. PM cabinet, MEP, MoME, MCTI, MEI). Moreover, he/she will support the Serbian partners in the elaboration and implementation of climate policy strategies and corresponding regulations. These tasks will always be fulfilled in close coordination within the TTC and its steering structure on the German side. As the Climate Partnership has recently been expanded to the region, responsibilities may also include tasks regarding other countries in the region (Western Balkans).
To this end, main tasks of the LCE – as a member of the interinstitutional TTC - will consist of
- Establishing and maintaining excellent relations to relevant partners and decision makers (esp. Serbian ministries) in the focal areas climate and energy
- Liaising with bilateral/multilateral donors and other relevant stakeholders (NGO, private sector) in Serbia, maintaining a close overview of their activities in the climate and energy area in Serbia, as well as identifying opportunities for cooperation.
- Constant observation and analysis of climate policy decisions, legislative initatives and strategy processes in Serbia as well as Cluster 4 negotiations in the context of EU accession; regular reporting to KfW, Embassy and German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); making suggestions for the positioning of German DC and KfW;
- Participation at relevant events and policy dialogues between the Serbian partners and the donor community;
- Supporting strategic portfolio development of German DC/KfW in the focal area of climate and energy, including new instruments like Policy Based Lending and Results Based Finance
- Demand driven support of and advice to the Serbian partners in formulating and implementing climate policy (esp. line ministries)
- Support of Embassy and KfW office in executing its role as „lead donor“ in the energy sector as well as coordinator of the Donor Working Group on Energy
- Support of the KfW sector teams in policy formulation and dialogue in the framework of the Green Transition DPO with the World Bank and AFD;
- Designing and organizing events, conferences and dialogue formats as well as publications in order to support the impact and visibility of the Climate Partnership;
- Maintaining regular communication and debriefings within the TTC, with KfW office, the sector teams in Frankfurt and the German Embassy
Required qualifications:
- University degree (MSc/MBA equivalent) preferably in economics, business/public administration or environmental/civil engineering; any other university studies alternatively welcome, if accompanying relevant track record in climate and/or energy policy existing;
- 5+ years of related experience in relevant institutions and sectors in Serbia or in the Western Balkan region, preferably gained with an international organisation or relevant national institutions;
- Excellent diplomatic and communication skills;
- Excellent computer literacy skills (MS Office);
- Strong analytical as well as reporting, communication and self-organisation skills;
- Strong negotiation skills, persuasive power, integrity, autonomy in the day-to-day work, hands-on attitude, as well as clear ability to work in a team;
- Fluency in Serbian and English languages (both written and spoken)
Term of Employment/Training
The employment period would be – in the present set-up phase of the Climate Partnership – until July 2025. However, depending on the final design of the Climate Partnership and the demand on the Serbian side, it is envisaged to extend the employment further. Besides the interesting, challenging task and a professional, cooperative labor environment, KfW offers competitive salaries and social services. It also provides on-the-job training, as well as intensive training courses at KfW headquarters in Germany (or online, depending on the Corona situation).
Contact
Candidates are requested to send their motivation letter, CV (in English) and credentials electronically or personally:
Ms. Brankica Dajić (Office Manager), KfW Office Belgrade, Brzakova 20, 11040 Belgrade (Senjak).
Only short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview.