Manager, Blue Finance (Blended Financial Models) - 23060

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World Wide Fund for Nature

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Washington, DC, United States

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30+ days ago

Overview:
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Manager, Blue Finance (Blended Financial Models).

Major Function
The Manager, Blue Finance (Blended Financial Models) will work with the Senior Director of Blue Finance to support the development and implementation of specific sustainable financing mechanisms (e.g. taxes, fees, royalties, etc.) for ocean-related projects. Specifically, the person in this role will work closely with other internal teams including the Earth for Life team and the Climate Finance team, amongst others, within WWF US to develop and support a portfolio of ocean-related projects. Through its Earth for Life team, WWF has a track record of designing and executing Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiatives that create sustainable funding for priority land and seascapes, particularly within the context of protected and conserved areas. These efforts are critical to making sure that our conservation goals under the Oceans team strategy are long-lasting and embedded within the country and communities where they are based. Increasingly, these approaches can incorporate or develop in parallel innovative financing schemes that create investable projects or businesses to also support the overarching goals of reaching a sustainable blue economy. Similarly, WWF’s Climate Finance Team leads work to develop projects that support countries to meet climate mitigation and adaptation goals through multiple programmes including the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and a newly launched origination platform for Nature-Based Solutions. The focus of the work initially will be largely, but not exclusively, on coastal marine ecosystems such as mangroves and other ‘blue forest’ opportunities. The Manager will therefore support the development of ocean-related financing initiatives in close collaboration with other internal WWF teams and as aligned to the WWF US ocean priorities. With their proven experience, the Manager will be responsible for inputting their expertise on sustainable financing for a blue economy into project origination and design and using their strong project management skills to create an efficient and effective working relationship between these major projects and programmes and across teams. The Manager will present to and represent WWF in relevant internal and external meetings and conferences, with partners, private sector representatives and donors. They will also liaise internally and externally across the WWF network to find alignment and opportunity in this area of work.
Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for engaging between Blue Finance team, broader Oceans team and relevant internal WWF teams to lead the development and implementation of large-scale sustainable financing mechanisms and blended finance vehicles for priority seascapes
  • Collaborates with the Earth for Life Team, core PFP teams, governments and other partners to develop specific sustainable financing mechanisms (e.g. taxes, fees, royalties, etc.) for seascape level PFPs, including leading feasibility assessments, and design and implementation of prioritized mechanisms.
  • Acts a key person in the development and implementation of ocean-related GCF funding proposals, making sure they align with strategic objectives of both the Oceans Area Based Conservation team and the Ocean Markets and Finance team and align to the GCF theory of change for financing climate mitigation and adaptation projects
  • Responsible for developing and managing a program of work and portfolio of projects on innovative blue financing mechanisms that support the restoration, protection and sustainable use of oceans and coastlines in WWF’s priority seascapes, with a focus on coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, including working closely with the WWF NBS Origination Platform
  • Works with the WWF US Oceans Area-Based Conservation team to identify and implement strategic and complementary initiatives that support sustainable and resilient seascapes in priority geographies
  • Responsible for identifying, building and managing relationships with relevant funds, investors, consultants, platforms and project developers; and responsible for liaising with internal conservation and impact finance experts
  • Supports Blue Finance team on other joint programs as appropriate and performs other relevant duties as assigned
Qualifications:
  • 8 to 10 years demonstrated qualification and/or experience working in environmental, conservation (preferably marine-related), or development finance or minimum 3 years of engagement in Blue Finance
  • Master’s degree in relevant field (finance, business, sustainable development finance, conservation finance) preferred but not required.
  • Financial literacy and ability to work with and interpret financial models
  • High level of familiarity with ocean-related conservation issues and solutions including sustainable financing mechanism feasibility analysis, design and implementation
  • Experience in ideating, developing, and implementing blue/green finance strategies or structures
  • Familiarity with blended finance and common development finance tools (e.g., grants, guarantees, first loss, concessional lending, equity, etc.)
  • Track record in working with multi-lateral donor community such as GCF, GEF, World Bank or other
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to present arguments and analysis in a clear and succinct manner to WWF management, partners and funders
  • Strong ability to take initiative with research and analysis and produce valuable results in conditions of uncertainty and working independently
  • Work and deliver projects independently, proactively and under pressure
  • Highly collaborative and track record working within complex team structures
  • Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams
  • Excellent organizational skills and research and writing skills
  • Strong analytical and project management skills
  • Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration
    • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
    • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
    • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
    • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.
WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.


To Apply:

  • Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #23060
  • Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone


As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.