Managing Director, Country Packages Seed Fund

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Conservation International

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Remote

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Managing Director, Country Packages Seed Fund

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Belgium, France (Remote), Netherlands (remote), United Kingdom (remote), or any of our offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Please find a full list of our officeshere.

Country Packages for Forests, Nature and Climate (“Country Package”) are integrated packages of technical and financial support; investment; and business partnerships. Country Packages engage the Host Country, several donor countries, and a range of public, private, multilateral, and philanthropic institutions in an actively coordinated arrangement to support the implementation of a country’s raised ambitions on forests and biodiversity conservation.

Within the context of the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Forest and Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP) and the outcomes of the Libreville One Forest Summit, the Government of France, the Rob Walton Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and CI launched the Country Packages Seed Fund ("Seed Fund") in order to support the Country Packages which aim at providing timely, strategic assistance to conserve vital reserves of biodiversity and irrecoverable carbon.

The Seed Fund aims to provide early support and catalyze a multiplier effect by triggering larger public and private investment in the irrecoverable carbon and biodiversity conservation elements of the Country Packages. The initial Seed Fund partners are collectively committing EUR 115 million with the goal of raising at least EUR 200 million. Further donors are invited to join the Seed Fund to help make sure that Host Countries for Country Packages meet and implement their 2030 targets. Working within the development of the Country Packages, the Seed Fund intends to initially invest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Ghana, in Papua New Guinea, and in the Republic of Congo.

The Seed Fund Managing Director is responsible for overall management of the Seed Fund. Under the guidance of the Steering Committee, they oversees grant making and contract awards across the country packages Seed Fund global portfolio. By providing direction and guidance, the Managing Director ensures effective and efficient use of the Seed Fund’s resources in the Host Countries as well as alignment with support from other country package funders. They is the main point of contact with members of the Steering Committee.

They also support fundraising for the Seed Fund, leading to engagement with potential donors. They will prepare the agenda and recommendations for the Steering Committee. They will also engage and inform the Steering Committee of significant ongoing engagements, key investments, and decisions.

They will represent the Seed Fund in the donor meetings for each Country Package. They will represent the Seed Fund, and lead the engagement with the Host Countries, as well as with other donors, the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership, the Global Environment Fund, the High Ambition Coalition, and other relevant initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight of Global Portfolio

  • Provide guidance and strategic advice to the Steering Committee.
  • Prepare for the Seed Fund Steering Committee meetings, including preparation of documentation.
  • Provide technical input, strategic oversight, and recommendations for the development of the project portfolio in line with the priorities of each of the country packages and with the objectives of the Seed Fund.
  • Provide the Steering Committee with recommendations for grantmaking (aligned with the priorities of the Country Package and processes defined in the Operations Manual).
  • In coordination with the Seed Fund Finance and Operations Director, prepare the Annual Spending Plan and Logical Framework for the Seed Fund.
  • In coordination with the Seed Fund Finance and Operations Director, oversee the preparation of each Host Country's annual projections of programmatic activities, grant awards and disbursements, and completion of quarterly basis monitoring to ensure each grant is meeting their annual programmatic and financial plan targets.
  • Ensure high-quality management of the Seed Fund, inclusive of presenting annual progress reports on the operations of the Seed Fund, expenditures under the Annual Spending Plan, and the portfolio of projects.

Management of Grant Making and of the Team

  • Manage the Seed Fund Secretariat team.
  • Provide oversight of grants and contracts, risk assessments, and supervision of funded projects.
  • Ensure consistent application of the Seed Fund policies and procedures, including adherence to the Seed Fund Operations Manual, procurement, and Social and Environmental Safeguards.
  • Provide recommendations to the Steering Committee for all grant awards by proposing a portfolio of projects.
  • Monitor portfolio-level Seed Fund implementation and impact.
  • Develop a Framework Action Plan for funding portfolio with Priority Countries.
  • Oversee Seed Fund Monitoring & Evaluation Plan and execution.
  • Oversee completion of Fund Operations Manual

Donor Engagement and Management

  • Lead engagement with Steering Committee members.
  • Lead engagement with potential donors to develop co-funding alliances and leverage increased financing for the Seed Fund.
  • Lead and support the preparation of funding proposals, as required.
  • Build partnerships with organizations relevant to the Seed Fund.

Outreach

  • Coordinate with the secretariats of relevant organizations and initiatives, including the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP), the High Ambition Coalition, the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) Accelerator, the Global Biodiversity Fund of the Global Environment Fund, etc.
  • For each Country Package, liaise with the Host Government and take part to the “country-level partners group” (that gathers the potential national and internal partners of the Country Package) to support the definition and the implementation of the Country Package.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Travel required
  • Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources management, business, international relations, or other relevant fields and 7 or more years of professional experience in conservation and development project management and grant-making or equivalent combination acquired at headquarters and field levels.
  • 2 or more years of supervisory experience.
  • Proven record of successful team leadership through effective communication and participation skills.
  • Proven record of effective partnership-building with key partners, donors, and government officials.
  • Proven record of conservation and development fundraising from institutional and private donors.
  • Strong working knowledge of conservation and development-related issues.
  • Autonomy
  • Political and geopolitical insights.
  • Strong writing and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of audiences and from different cultures.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Experience in financial analysis and risk assessment skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in the application of Social and Environmental Safeguards.
  • Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office with advanced Microsoft Excel experience.
  • Proficiency in English and French.

Preferred

  • Proven experience as a Managing Director or other managerial position.
  • Proficiency in Spanish.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.