The GEF CEO and Chairperson, Mme Monique Barbut, will end her tenure at the end of July 2012.

For this reason, during its 41st meeting held in Washington DC, 8-10 November 2011, the GEF Council launched the search for the new GEF CEO and Chairperson who is to join the Secretariat on August 1, 2012.

The CEO is appointed to serve for four years on a full time basis by the Council. The CEO may be reappointed by the Council for one additional four year term.

The selection process will be managed by Egon Zehnder International (EZI).

Nomination and application for the position are now being sought. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of motivation and CV to Egon Zehnder International at: ceosearch@ezi.net.

Review of applications will begin December 15, 2011.

Applicants are encouraged to apply by December15, 2011 to ensure full consideration of their submission.
 

• GEF CEO Role Specifications 

Terms of Reference for the Global Environment Facility
Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson

Description of the GEF

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to forge international cooperation and to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and activities to, intra alia, support the objectives and priorities of the multilateral environmental agreements that address biodiversity loss, climate change, and degradation of international waters, land degradation, ozone depletion and persistent organic pollutants within the framework of sustainable development.  GEF is open to universal membership, and currently 182 countries are members.

The GEF is governed by a Council comprising 32 Members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries.  An Assembly of all member countries meets every four years at the ministerial level.  The GEF Trust Fund is replenished every four years.

GEF is the designated financial mechanism for three international conventions: the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).  GEF financing also supports countries to meet the objectives of the Convention to Combat Desertification. 

Since its inception as a pilot facility in 1991, GEF has committed $9.2 billion in grants to over 2700 projects in more than 165 developing countries and transitional economies.

GEF operations are implemented through a partnership of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Bank. 

The GEF is administratively supported by, but is functionally independent of, the World Bank.

Ten agencies are principally accountable for the execution of GEF projects: the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank (IBRD/IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The GEF Secretariat itself, construed for administrative purposes as a VPU within the World Bank, has an annual administrative budget of about $20 million, and a staff complement of professional and ACS staff of approximately 100 people. 

Job Content

The broad responsibilities of the GEF CEO/Chairperson are to:

1. Lead the Council in developing, adopting and evaluating the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities that respond, intra alia, to the objectives and priorities of the global environmental conventions and agreements;
2. Provide leadership in shaping strategic directions of the GEF and strengthening collaboration at the highest levels with GEF member countries and partners;
3. Manage the functions assigned to the Secretariat including:
   - Implementing Council and Assembly decisions
   - Implementing operational policies
   - Ensuring the adequacy of arrangements with the Implementing Agencies
   - Coordinating with the Secretariats of other relevant institutional bodies
4. Promote collaboration and communication with and among the GEF Agencies, as well as promote cooperation with other bodies to advance the objectives of the GEF.

In exercising these responsibilities, the CEO/Chairperson represents the GEF and its Council in global for a for sustainable development and the environment, and leads the interaction with different Secretariats of the global conventions. The CEO/Chairperson is accountable to the Council for guiding the Secretariat and for ensuring its overall performance.

Selection Criteria

Strong professional background and work experience broadly in the field of environment and development, including thorough knowledge and substantial experience in dealing with global environmental issues, multilateral environmental agreements, and international development assistance organizations. 

Demonstrated political judgment and internationally recognized ability to bring strong strategic thinking and other qualities needed for effective leadership in international governance structures such as the GEF Council as well as in the international fora for environment and sustainable development. 

Excellent managerial and communication skills for leading and managing the diverse and multi-sectoral staff of the GEF Secretariat keeping in mind the ultimate objective of effective program implementation.