Current Vacancies at Conservation International

• The Senior Director, Financial Analysis Unit provides strategic leadership to deliver a well-coordinated and impactful sustainable finance approach across the Conservation Finance Division (CFD) to structuring and funding multi-stakeholder investments. By providing leadership in financial analysis, modeling, and blended finance solutions, the position will contribute to a body of work focused on creating innovative financing solutions to achieve CI’s mission across several strategic pillars including Conservation International Ventures, CI-GEF Agency Non-grant Instruments, Innovation and Replication, Long-Term Finance, and the Carbon Finance Team, while also supporting CI’s ambitious long-term protection agenda worldwide by supporting regional programs in conservation finance opportunities that may arise. They will deploy their knowledge and understanding of a variety of conservation finance approaches and their experience in developing and securing blended finance deals to structure innovative financial solutions that catalyze philanthropic capital and develop sustainable investments.
• The position brings sophisticated business and finance expertise to various and matrixed teams within CI, as well as external partners, managing relationships with the investors and working collaboratively to develop new tools, infusing blended finance, and applying an investment finance skillset in a conservation context. This role will be a subject matter expert on blended finance transactions such as bridge financing, carbon or other ecosystem credit financing, private equity investments, and revolving pay-for-performance facilities.
• The work includes project management, developing a strategy for investment, managing relationships with investors, project developers, and implementation partners, project pipeline origination and portfolio management, financial analysis, due diligence, and conducting investment transactions from origination to closing. It will require working in close coordination with CI’s local programs to identify opportunities for financed conservation interventions: assessing their feasibility, designing their implementation, proving them out for maximum impact, and scaling them more broadly across CI, partner organizations, and commercial actors.

Responsibilities

• This position will work to support (3) key areas within the CFD: The strategic goals of non-grant-based instrument deal construction and strategy including, setting financial due diligence guidelines, and providing financial rigor to CFD’s overall processes; leading the technical expert advisory unit within CFD to enhance the analytical work across programs, working closely with the distinct pillars within the program, by providing financial structuring and partnership management support. Across these programs, the position will bring high levels of expertise in structuring new investment products, designing and analyzing financial investment plans, and investment strategy recommendations to help achieve CFD’s goals.
• The Senior Director works directly alongside CFD teams with a high degree of independence and will seek to build up internal investment capabilities by mentoring and training staff, interdisciplinary teams, and/or outside service providers and partners. The Position will report to the Senior VP, Conservation Finance Division.

Conservation Finance Non-Grant Functions

• Lead the portfolio management and financial due diligence body of work for non-grant instruments.
• Lead the onboarding of non-grant fund opportunities including enhancing the internal capacity building of CFD by training and mentoring junior staff to deliver consistent analytic rigor and financial expertise.
• Creation of investment criteria, policies, and monitoring indicators to enhance the financial processes within the division.
• Portfolio management of current deals within CFD purview, follow-on financial and impact analysis at pre-determined timeframes, and track risk indicators to anticipate issues and raise concerns early on.

Analytical Unit / Financial Support Lead

• Lead the creation of financial due diligence and modeling approaches to be adopted by various relevant CFD programs.
• Deliver robust financial analysis and investment due diligence for investments in projects and make recommendations on investment structures for CFD’s programs.
• Coordinate the due diligence process of the respective opportunities, acting as a trusted advisor to all parties bringing their practical experience to support successful investments in thematic funds.
• Develop and implement financial strategies on the best use of capital to achieve the high-impact goals of the program.
• Structure innovative financial solutions to best leverage finite concessional donor funds, to achieve scaled-up private sector financial flows.
• Support the negotiations with stakeholders to achieve high-leverage co-financing and new investments for programmatic activities.
• Engage with other carbon finance mechanisms and teams within CI to align and maximize organizational objectives.
• Continue to innovate on the existing financial model for the funds within the program, and create new models when needed for bespoke transactions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide support and capital market expertise on Environmental structuring opportunities (Debt for Nature Swaps, Bonds) assisting country teams with negotiations with local stakeholder engagement.
  • In collaboration with Global Field Teams, provide strategic advisory and analytical support on the design and development of public, private, and blended financing mechanisms for a pipeline of current and prospective marine “protection and production” (PnP) projects.
  • Similarly, in collaboration with CI’s Country Programs, provide strategic advisory and analytical support on the design and development of blended instruments and financial mechanisms for a pipeline of current Irrecoverable Carbon sites.
  • Assist the SVP, Conservation Finance with financial structuring, capital raising, and negotiations with new investment partnerships with NGO, investors, corporates, and other partners.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and mentor program and project staff, including overseeing the work of external service providers and partners.
• Provide mentorship, performance, and career development support and guidance to direct reports.
• Manage program budget and finances, including compliance with public and private donor requirements and CI policies.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
WORKING CONDITIONS

• Local and/or international travel of 25% or more, often in difficult travel conditions.
• Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor's degree with ten (10) or more years of relevant professional experience in accounting, transactional finance, investment analysis/management, development finance, impact investment, related disciplines, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of experience supervising others including multi-disciplinary teams. Proven leadership skills and success in effectively inspiring and engaging diverse working groups in a multicultural environment.
• Senior-level program or project management experience in a corporate, global conservation, NGO, or related industry context. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects or initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Superior technical and analytical skills and abilities. Demonstrated ability to analyze, synthesize, and effectively interpret complex economic, financial, scientific, technical, and other data and information for diverse, multi-disciplinary audiences.
• Advanced knowledge of private market debt and equity investment analysis techniques, metrics, and tools. Demonstrated ability to perform robust financial and investment analysis integrating both qualitative and quantitative data and analytical techniques. Demonstrated knowledge of current conservation finance, impact investment, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing trends.
• Demonstrated ability to translate and apply visionary, innovative, and leading-edge thinking and approaches to design solutions that address complex professional challenges.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of finance and investment-related presentation content and recommendations for senior-level audiences.
• A record of success partnering with, and influencing, key stakeholders and successfully raising funds.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Adept at working in a dynamic, fast-paced, highly matrixed organizational environment with limited supervision.
• Fluency in English is required.

Preferred

• MBA or equivalent credential.
• Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

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• The Data Manager will be responsible for communicating with program staff and partners to ensure that data is collected and submitted according to institutional requirements. This will require regular communication, reminders, training, and support with global staff. Much of Conservation International’s site-level data is captured via GIS shapefiles, and as such, the Data Manager should have knowledge of GIS systems and as needed, function as a key GIS data technical resource for Conservation International’s country programs, Moore Center for Science, and Strategy & Impact team. As data is submitted, they will quality control submissions, compile data including GIS information, and synthesize data into organized datasets and useful products, to enable spatial analyses. The Data Manager will work closely with key stakeholders across CI to identify data needs, envision how we can best communicate our impacts internally and externally, and produce results that serve current and future needs in the form of reports, presentations, factsheets, and other data visualization products. They will serve as the key point person for institutional impact data requests as needed for donors, leadership, and internal support.
• This role requires not only a detail-oriented eye for technical day-to-day project management but the ability to create strong collaboration across internal teams and guide CI’s vision for long-term institutional impact data uses.

This position does not directly manage staff. Work duties are performed under general direction.
Responsibilities
Project Management

• Serve as the lead data collection project manager for Conservation International’s impact metrics system. You will lead a cross-divisional team and ensure coordinated collaboration. This includes working with global staff and partners to collect spatial datasets by providing clear instructions and guidance to data providers; managing timelines; and providing support and feedback to ensure high-quality, standardized, and on-time data submissions that enable institutional-wide impact analysis.
• Manage program communications across CI: Champion the impact data program and communicate vision across divisions; communicate regularly during data collection with country programs, partners, and other analysis team members to focus the team on clear needs, requirements, and timelines; develop training and capacity building support that will include conducting instructional webinars or seminars and providing daily guidance and support to non-technical staff.
• Ensure quality data results, by serving as the data analysis project manager for Conservation International’s impact metrics system. This includes coordinating Moore Center scientists and IT staff by managing timelines and expectations for collection, cleaning, analysis, reporting, and final deliverables.

Data Collection, Analysis and Capacity Building

• Run spatial data processing and analysis in ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine: data review, quality control, synthesis, and cleaning (e.g. ability to create/digitize shapefiles, correct geometries, test topography, join spatial and tabular files and work in both geodatabase and shapefiles formats).
• Run analysis using AWS Batch, Python, and R with Moore Center guidance.
• Generate statistics summarizing impact metrics within or across country programs and serve as a GIS lead, responding to requests from upper-level management, country programs, and other divisions.
• Produce and Visualize data, information, maps, and related information to make data informative and useful to a non-technical audience using tools like PowerBI. Summarize analysis and document findings in graphs, reports, presentations, factsheets, and other communication mediums.
• Manage spatial and nonspatial database, including through the use of spreadsheets, relational databases, and GIS databases.
• Serve as a GIS resource for Conservation International’s programs and including building GIS skills and capacity among staff who lack experience, by developing and conducting trainings and providing direct support; help internal and external partners manage and use GIS information and tools to accomplish program objectives and provide timely analysis of impact data to inform conservation work. Implement additional strategies to increase capacity.
• Develop tools, standard operating procedures, and other resources to guide staff and partners who submit data.

Problem Solving and Systems Thinking

• Identify findings and insights that inform CI’s conservation work, internal management decision-making, strategy, and planning efforts – through data synthesis and by understanding key institutional data uses and decision points.
• Support the organization in connecting existing metrics and deliverable systems for alignment and reporting purposes.
• Help enhance the system and ensure connection among institutional datasets by anticipating future uses and needs, understanding stakeholder requirements, determining and leading system enhancements based on user needs, and setting a vision for the program with leadership.
• Other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a typical office environment.
• Flexibility to travel as needed.
• Ability to work irregular and extended work hours to meet deadlines.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
• This position may manage contractors and vendors as needed but does not directly manage staff.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in GIS, environmental geography, or related field with relevant coursework in statistics, spatial ecology, or computer science.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in the field of spatial data analyses, GIS, and data management.
• Experienced GIS user of Esri solutions (for example, ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS for Desktop for data processing and management to create/digitize shapefiles, correct geometries, test topology, join spatial and tabular files, and work in both geodatabase and shapefiles formats, perform spatial analyses against other datasets using standard tools and basic Python scripts).
• Experience with Excel and PowerBI for querying and generating reports.
• Demonstrated experience conducting analysis in Google Earth Engine in JavaScript and/or Python.
• Experience with AWS Batch, Python, R and database management.
• A creative problem solver with an interest in learning and thinking outside the box; able to see the big picture strategy and develop technical solutions to achieve large goals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate technical data to a wide audience with the big picture in mind
• Experience in developing and delivering user training and user support
• A patient team player and the ability to effectively partner and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including a diverse team of people (from different cultures, different first languages, and different types of technical and non-technical roles)
• Ability to project manage others, lead without authority, and manage many workstreams at once

Preferred

• Technical knowledge of conservation science.
• Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, or French fluency preferred.

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• Reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP), the Vice President (VP) for the Africa Field Division assumes a pivotal role in providing strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for CI's Field Programs across Africa. With a focus on achieving high-impact results within CI's established business model and the framework of "healthy sustainable societies," the VP collaborates closely with the SVP to steer and manage the Africa Field Division.
• As a vital member of the Division's Senior Management Team, the VP is entrusted with driving impactful and high-quality outcomes across all country and regional program initiatives. This entails cultivating robust connections between country-level programs and overarching regional and global strategies and objectives. The role encompasses the execution of conservation strategies for terrestrial and marine priority areas, fostering sustainable production and consumption mechanisms, and pioneering innovative approaches for distributing nature's benefits.
• Beyond programmatic leadership, the VP ensures excellence in administrative, financial, and staff management matters, contributing to the overall strength of the division.

Responsibilities
Strategy Implementation:

• Ensure effective delivery of the Division’s Programme Strategies, with emphasis on working with AfFD and Arlington-based Division-Heads to ensure coordination and alignment with CI’s strategies.
• Ensure an efficient and integrated programme approach that demonstrates impact and reflects CI’s initiatives and projects as appropriate to local conditions.
• Actively engage cultivate and manage internal and external relationships to ensure traction for CI’s programmes and projects.
• Work closely with Country Directors and collaborate with Senior Vice President in implementing the organization's strategic plan and policies to ensure strategy and plans align with the overall goal of the organization.

Program Delivery

• Support country directors and senior director delivery to ensure successful execution of conservation programs and initiatives across Africa Field Division.
• Monitor program outcomes, evaluate their effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions to optimize impact.

Fundraising And Partnerships

• Collaborate with the Division’s Management Team, Country Directors, and other senior leaders within CI Global, in the development of relationships with partners in the public and private sectors that are key to CI’s success; develop proposals and project concepts to mobilize programmatic financing from public/private sources, foundations and other partners or secure pro-bono services for programme efforts.
• Lead identification and development of strategic partnerships with local, regional, and global organizations and translate them to managed programs with demonstrable benefits to the conservation agenda.
• Represent CI and promote the organization's interest in various sectors, national, regional, and global forums, and in conversations with government and other influential stakeholders.

People And Programme Management

• Provision of oversight supervision of relevant staff, programmes, and budgets; focus on ensuring high-impact and high-quality conservation outcomes, capacity building, and programme quality control; ensuring knowledge sharing between programme staff across the Division.
• Coordinate support from regional and global actors who are partners and stakeholders in the conservation field.
• Implementing and managing changes and interventions to ensure program goals are achieved.
• Planning and designing programs and proactively monitoring it's progress, resolving issues, and initiating appropriate corrective action through the program managers
• Oversee Operations and employee productivity, building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive and organizational objectives are met.
• Ensure country teams and regional technical teams meet the short-term and long-term range plans, and budgets based on defined goals and growth objectives.

People And Resource Management Responsibilities

• Directly supervise program and project staff, including overseeing the work of external partners.
• Manage the AFD budget and finances.
• Manage public or private funds; ensure compliance with donor requirements and CI policies.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
WORKING CONDITIONS

• Local and/or international travel of 30% or more, often in difficult travel conditions.
• Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications
Required

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in a related field and a minimum of 15+ years of experience leading humanitarian/conservation/development efforts in Africa at the country and continental scales.
• 5 or more years of experience managing teams of professional employees.
• Demonstrated track record of strategy innovation and program implementation.
• Senior-level program or project management experience, preferably in the global conservation, NGO, advocacy, or related for-profit arena.
• Proven ability to formulate and execute results utilizing strong analytical, critical decision-making, and strategic planning skills.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven financial management and analytical skills, including experience with planning and managing complex budgets.
• Strong interpersonal skills, personal and professional confidence, and presence, and the ability to effectively build strong relationships both internally and externally with individuals across disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds to achieve shared goals.
• A record of success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raising funds.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred

• Demonstrated technical experience in one or more of CI’s key areas of intervention including agriculture/ agribusiness sector (especially palm oil) or experience in marine and coastal conservation.
• Able to speak at least one of the two most important languages in Africa (French or Portuguese).