Senior Director, Conservation Finance IFAW

Washington, DC; Yarmouth, MA; London, England

Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office.

This position will report to the Vice President of Global Programs and Institutional Giving with the core responsibility to surface innovative financial instruments and be the port-of-call for IFAW Conservation Finance globally aimed at cultivating new conservation financing solutions for program growth and sustainability, over and above existing fundraising streams. The Senior Director will lead this growth, cultivating new funding opportunities for areas of programmatic focus. The incumbent will drive private sector fundraising and engagement, including through blended and innovative financial instruments and ambitious new partnerships in key fundraising markets.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop overall institutional strategy for ifaw on Conservation Finance.

• Proactively analyze the evolving funding landscape and identify emerging financing mechanisms and new sources of in-kind support to match IFAW's key programmatic needs.

• Lead on growing private sector engagement through shaping and implementing ambitious prospecting and fundraising strategies towards new sovereigns, corporations, multilateral banks, and other key investors.

• Provide leadership, expert advice, and co-ordination in envisioning, developing, and growing private sector engagement and pursuing other innovative funding mechanisms like Debt for Nature Swaps;

• Payment for Ecosystem Services, Green Bonds, Social Impact Bonds, etc., in support of IFAW's ambitious priority projects.

• Lead the scanning of strategic and innovative financing options with senior management for raising resources and selectively develop high-value non-monetary partnerships with tech companies;

• Champion outreach to key financial and investor groups, pitch and negotiate financing mix (including existing and new funding windows, including the CF and various Green Bond offerings);

• Provide advice in markets where there is not enough bandwidth or expertise;

• Serve as lead architect to think through, develop, and structure individual financing deals based on new private donor relationships at senior level and play a promotional role in generating new business.

• In collaboration with Country and Regional Directors across IFAW, track investment plans between governments and private sector partners that have implications for ifaw program, coordinating strategic and operational engagements with senior government representatives and corporate senior executives for portfolios that we can leverage to support IFAW's priority projects.

• Stay abreast of relevant government policies and decisions and the corporate landscape in a set of markets to ensure systematic analysis of funding trends, develop funding targets, and forecast income projections to ensure effective resource mobilization in these markets;

• Ensure effective mechanisms are in place within IFAW to manage, forecast and track donor commitments.

• Consistently engage with Program Leadership and relevant EMT members and others assigned by the VP of Global Programs & Institutional Giving to manage key relationships and initiatives and represent the organization's leadership, as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience;

• A relevant Degree in business administration, economics, international relations, public affairs, or other relevant fields, or equivalent experience.

• A solid understanding of trends and drivers associated with Environmental Social Governance/Corporate

• Social Responsibility;

• A solid understanding of ecosystem markets and ecosystem service metrics related to carbon and water.

• Familiarity with emerging conservation financing mechanisms relevant for wildlife conservation and animal welfare a must;

• Demonstrated ability to structure financial instruments and navigate complex funding mechanisms;

• Credibility in public and private engagement, fundraising and partnerships, excellent understanding of both public and private sector perspectives is necessary;

• Proven experience dealing with political and technical governmental and private sector decision-making processes, and ability to operate internationally;

• Experience identifying and articulating strategic issues, trade-offs, and priorities to provide sound advice.

Skills/Competencies

• Results-oriented individual, entrepreneurial and hands-on;

• Excellent leadership & management skills;

• Excellent technical, analytical, and project management skills;

• Outstanding networking, representational, communications and negotiation skills.

• An ability to be proactive and persuasive;

• Demonstrated ability to work across institutional functions with various teams;

• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels;

• Ability to adapt and work within a multicultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment;

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English; additional language proficiency highly desirable

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

To apply, please submit an application at https://www.ifaw.org/careers