Senior Manager, Sustainable Finance, Asia Pacific

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World Wide Fund for Nature

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Singapore, Singapore

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World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As one of WWF’s international hubs, WWF-Singapore supports a global network spanning over 100 countries. WWF Singapore works closely with local stakeholders towards a greener and more sustainable Singapore and the region around us. We work to address key conservation areas, such as climate change, sustainable finance, deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, marine conservation, and sustainable production and consumption, through collaboration, education and outreach efforts involving the community, businesses, and governments. For more information, please visit wwf.sg .


Position Title: Senior Manager, Sustainable Finance, Asia Pacific

Location: Singapore


1. Mission of the Department


The objective of the global Finance Practice in WWF is to encourage a meaningful shift in finance to achieve WWF’s Global Goals by influencing the financial system to improve the integration of environmental risks and deliver investment for sustainable development in the landscapes and countries where WWF is active.


2. Major Functions


To provide technical advice and support to help WWF deliver an action agenda in sustainable finance. The incumbent will support the country offices in Asia to integrate sustainable finance in their conservation strategies, fundraise to develop and provide high quality technical analysis and advice in the field of sustainable finance. Special focus of the role is to support country offices in their aim to mobilize private finance aligned with target 19 of the Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework. In addition, the senior manager will facilitate and coordinate WWF engagement with influential global actors in areas of strategic focus; and support knowledge development and sharing of analysis, information, and trends in sustainable finance throughout the WWF Network and externally.


3. Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • As part of the Finance Practice Core Team, provide technical thought leadership to the Finance Practice Core and Leadership teams to implement and adapt the Finance Practice strategy.
  • Identify actors in the sustainable finance sector and strategic opportunities for WWF to influence, collaborate with, or provide guidance to in collaboration with local offices and/or other Practices where relevant.
  • Develop capacity in WWF local offices to lead the development of specific work plans in their conservation strategies aligned with WWF’s strategy for the finance sector in an inclusive and collaborative way.
  • Support WWF offices in Asia, providing expertise on the local implementation of WWF’s global Finance strategy
  • Work closely with the Finance Practice Leader, Core and Leadership teams in the WWF Finance Practice to agree strategic priorities and lead specific areas of strategic focus.
  • Convene internal stakeholders across WWF’s global network to gather and provide content expertise, lead WWF input to external policy and regulatory requests for consultation from time to time as relevant and in close collaboration with local teams and raise awareness and help lead potential areas of external engagement.
  • Support the Finance Practice Leader and Deputy in convening and or/participating in external discussions, conferences, and/or other similar fora as needed, and represent WWF Finance Practice in regional/sectoral events or meetings.
  • Together with WWF offices, advocate and identify potential partnerships with strategic stakeholders including banks, investors, insurers, regulators, and financial service providers, for a shift in the financial market towards more sustainable practices.
  • Support WWF engagement and collaboration with financial institutions, investment funds and other relevant organizations in the development of new financial products (blended finance, biodiversity and carbon credits, bonds, debt for nature swaps etc) that accelerate achieving target 19 of the GBF.


4. Profile

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum seven years of experience in responsible investing or sustainable finance, preferably working in a financial institution.
  • Proven experience in one or more areas of expertise in corporate and project finance, risk assessment, insurance, banking, or blended finance.
  • Proven experience in finance in relation to agriculture, food, or forest sector.
  • Advanced degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, Economics, Sustainable Finance or other related fields.
  • Fluent command of written and spoken English, with any other language an asset.


Required Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate global macroeconomic, financial, and market trends clearly and concisely to both expert and non-expert audiences.
  • Extensive knowledge of global sustainable finance, development finance, institutional investment management, and/or capital markets.
  • Leadership skills: Demonstrated ability to build consensus and exert influence to galvanize internal and external stakeholders around a shared agenda.
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and work independently, take initiative, and work constructively within a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and develop initiatives or platforms for change that leverage the capacity of external partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex issues and organizations while executing high quality work in a timely manner.
  • Highly organized, with project management skills and experience.
  • Experience working with an international team, based in different time zones.
  • A strong network of external relationships in the finance sector is strongly desired.
  • Experience with issues in environmental protection and nature conservation across WWF’s global goals including Climate and Energy, Food, Forests, Freshwater, Oceans, and Wildlife is desired.
  • Demonstrates WWF behaviors in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly, and innovate fearlessly
  • Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and collaboration.


5. Working Relationships


Internal

Works closely with Finance Practice Leader, Practice Core Team and Leadership Team, experts in sustainable finance across WWF’s global Network, as well as members of other WWF Practices. Maintains close liaison with the broader WWF Network.


External

In coordination with others in the WWF Network, works with:

  • Private and public banks including investors, banks, insurers, Development Finance Institutions and Multilateral Development Banks
  • Financial regulators and policymakers (e.g. IMF, BIS, G20)
  • International fora and platforms (e.g. UNEP-FI, UN PRI)
  • Experienced actors in financial standards and rating agencies
  • Centers for financial product innovation
  • Other civil society organizations with an interest in finance
  • Academic institutions


This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.