Associate - Built Environment Infrastructure

Please note that this is a 12 month initial fixed-term contract with a start date asap.

About the Green Finance Institute (GFI):

Since our inception in 2019, our pragmatic approach to channelling capital to facilitate real economy change has shaped the discourse around green finance. As an independent company with a proven track record, our credibility, capability and cross-sector engagement enable us to respond to market barriers and develop solutions where others can’t.

The Green Finance Institute is an independent and trusted partner to Government.

We also work with financial organisations, corporates, NGOs, policymakers, academics and civil society experts to create and scale innovative solutions that are accelerating the transition to a net-zero and nature positive economy, whilst delivering practical outcomes for communities.

Here in the UK the GFI has catalysed the development of the green mortgage market, designed and tested utilisation-linked finance for EV charging infrastructure, created an evidence base for introducing a UK revenue certainty mechanism for sustainable aviation fuel, structured a Future Finance Fund for the Greater London Authority and investment readiness funds for nature-based solutions deployed by both UK and Scottish governments. The GFI has played a key role in the UK’s Green Gilt issuance programme, the establishment of the UK Infrastructure Bank and most recently chaired the National Wealth Taskforce for UK Government. In addition, the GFI has established global institutions through co-chairing the design and launch of the Taskforce on Nature Related Financial Disclosures and operationalising the Integrity Council on Voluntary Carbon Markets.

We see the UK as our home market and as a lab for developing cutting edge solutions that can be deployed globally. Our success to date has led to our expanding our sector-by-sector approach to channelling capital to Spain, Denmark, South Africa and Indonesia, where our local teams of financial experts are shaping the debate on effectively closing the gap between governments’ climate and nature policy ambitions and markets’ delivery of green finance solutions to achieve those ambitions.

You can find out more about the Institute on our website: www.greenfinanceinstitute.co.uk

What's the role?

The GFI’s Built Environment Programme (BEP) has an ambition to create and scale financial solutions that will play a significant role in decarbonising the UK’s built environment. Driving scalable solutions through expert insight and a strong delivery focus, the Built Environment Programme seeks to identify investment challenges and convene the market to work toward innovative propositions which address both the opportunity and risk of investing in solutions to decarbonise our built environment.

As the BEP Infrastructure Associate, you will work on developing a deep understanding of and solutions to invest in infrastructure to support decarbonisation of our built environment. Namely, you will work on developing solutions that can support:

• Heat network investment and heat pump deployment in the UK
• Exploring development of heat-as-a-service as an investable proposition in the UK
• Green finance solutions for social housing decarbonisation

Your work will also be flexible and respond to emerging market trends and BEP team priorities.

You will work closely with the wider BEP team, as well as the GFI New Energy Technologies and Local Authority teams. You will need to be able to work at a local and national level, engaging with both local and central government. You will report to Ryan Jude, Programme Director for Built Environment.

This role provides the opportunity to amplify efforts in this space. You will be expected to work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, conduct research on international approaches, develop innovative solutions, undertake financial modelling and commission additional work as needed and manage delivery partners.

The ideal candidate will have experience of working in infrastructure finance, be a clear communicator with a delivery focus, have experience of managing and leveraging relationships with a wide range of cross-sectoral stakeholders and be a confident public speaker. The ability to juggle and manage multiple projects will be critical to the role, as well as leadership skills and the ability to develop rapid understanding of technical detail.

Key duties

• Leading delivery and development of our work on low-carbon infrastructure linked to the built environment - setting strategic direction, adapting to shifts in the market environment and amplifying work through thought leadership and external speaking engagements.
• Building strong relationships with infrastructure investors, banks, industry, local authorities, national government and third sector organisations.
• Keep up to date with relevant developments in the market, within industry and the broader regulatory and political landscape, utilising these to inform the strategy.
• Undertake financial modelling of infrastructure projects; and
• Conduct and oversee research into international solutions and non-financial barriers.

This is an exciting and fast paced role and presents the opportunity for you to develop and shape this area of work. As the programme develops you must be willing to work flexibly and take on additional duties, as required.

Essential experience

• Prior experience of leading multi-stakeholder programmes, setting direction and working collaboratively
• Strong financial modelling skills, preferably including project finance
• Experience of working on infrastructure transactions
• Strong project management skills - capable of handling multiple project streams / tasks and ability to meet deadlines, logically tackle problems and set priorities
• Good research and analytical skills
• Good judgement – ability to collaborate, make decisions and solve problems with well-considered, sensitive and efficient solutions
• Strong communication and influencing skills, ability to build relationships with a wide range of partners, anticipating and understanding their needs and perspectives
• Self-motivated and brings a strong positivity/energy to the team
• Excellent IT skills, in particular in the use of Microsoft Office 365 suite and MS Outlook
• Adaptable, must be comfortable working in a small team and part of a fast-paced, agile, start-up environment
• A passion for helping to achieve net-zero

Desirable Experience

• Experience of public speaking to a professional audience/running roundtables with a variety of stakeholders
• Previous work relating to low-carbon and green infrastructure specifically
• Understanding of the wider challenges facing the built environment and local authorities when it comes to decarbonisation
• Previous experience of engaging with government and/or local authorities.

The GFI is headquartered in London, but the role can be carried out remotely within the UK, with occasional meetings in London. As part of a small team, you will also need to be flexible and willing to undertake tasks to support the wider activities of the Institute, when required. This will allow you to gain exposure and experience in a range of other programmes and initiatives.

If this sounds like you:

Please apply by submitting your CV and a short cover letter (of no more than one page). Your cover letter should include details of:

• your relevant work / educational experience.
• your skills and in particular your experience in modelling and analysis.
• how you meet the broader requirements of the role.

CVs without a cover letter will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 9am on 18th November 2024. Please submit your application to recruitment@gfi.green

Please note:

• If you do not already hold the right to work in the UK and/or require sponsorship in order to continue working here, you should think carefully before applying.
• The Green Finance Institute is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. If you are invited to interview and need any reasonable adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.