Project Analyst, Conservation Finance

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 will be based in one of CI’s offices in South Africa, Johannesburg

The Project Analyst, Conservation Finance will be responsible for scoping and assessing projects with the aim of catalyzing and supporting the establishment of conservation financing mechanisms that will enable the long-term continuation of programs to protect and restore both terrestrial and ocean ecosystems, promote sustainable and inclusive livelihoods and economies, enhance protected area management, and maintain and increase carbon sequestration. In particular, the position will provide technical support and institutional strengthening to conservation partners in Mozambique and South Africa.

The Project Analyst role will service both the conservation finance portfolios in South Africa and Mozambique - reporting to the Conservation Finance Director for SA & Mozambique. The role will be focused on working alongside the Director to deep-dive on investment opportunities identified within the projects in these two countries and getting the investment opportunities investment-ready. Here the role will require the successful candidate an in-depth knowledge of project and corporate finance analysis, as well as structuring and deal-making criteria of various financing mechanisms. In addition, the successful candidate will have experience with cash flow/ financial modeling. This position will assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of early-stage conservation finance projects in South Africa and Mozambique, in support of the Conservation Finance Director and the broader Conservation Finance portfolio.

The work includes project management, developing a strategy for investment, managing relationships with stakeholders (including potential investors, project developers, and implementation partners), project pipeline origination and portfolio management, financial analysis/modeling, due diligence, and assisting with investment transactions from origination through to closing. It will require working in close coordination with CI’s global 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

MOZAMBIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Expertise and Project Analysis on Long-Term Financing Options for Coastal and Marine Protection: Provide technical expertise, and holistic advice to conservation partners in Mozambique on the scoping, evaluation, and structuring considerations of various long-term financing mechanisms for coastal and marine protection in Mozambique (e.g., payments for environmental services, carbon offsets, carbon credits, debt-for-nature swaps, endowment funds, impact investments (grants, loans, equity) into blue economies, sustainability bonds etc.), and coordinate input from more specialized technical experts as needed.

Support the Design and Implementation of Finance Mechanisms for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems: Support conservation partners to increase protection of coastal and marine ecosystems and launch at least one financing mechanism that can contribute towards sustainable financing of conservation work in the region.

SOUTH AFRICA RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design & Development of Blue Economy Plan(s) for the Kelp Value Chain: Provide technical expertise, working with Conservation SA team members, in business plan(s) for feasible opportunities in the kelp value chain including identifying appropriate conservation finance opportunities.

Design of Innovative Financial Mechanisms for Namakwaland Distract Seascape: Building off work from the kelp value chain, and drawing also on seascapes work and experiences in Mozambique, provide input on the design of conservation finance opportunities to support broader seascape development in the Namakwa District.

Supporting the Development of Deal Transaction Opportunities Identified in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area: Provide analytical and technical support to the Conservation SA team and conservation partners to launch pre-identified sustainable financing mechanisms in the GLTFCA and build out the capacity for further sustainable financing deals within this focus area for CI.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Project Analyst, Conservation Finance will be based in CI’s South Africa Field Division (CSA), reporting to CSA’s Conservation Finance team with matrix lines to CI’s Conservation Finance Division.
• Normal office environment with up to 35% local, regional, and international travel for meetings and field site visits.
• Availability to deal with pressing business, emergencies, and unanticipated challenges or opportunities that may arise related to CI’s institutional needs or management, including outside of normal office hours.
• Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
• We reserve the right not to appoint any candidate to this position.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.
• This is a 1-year fixed-term assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in corporate/ investment finance or other relevant finance disciplines.
• 4 to 6 years of professional experience in the financial analysis, structuring, and implementation of investment strategies across an array of projects.
• Experience with impact investing sectors such as renewable energy, WASH, sustainable agriculture, microfinance, etc.
• Experience in the analysis, design, and management of large and/or complex programs and projects, including project scheduling, resource planning, and budgeting
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling abilities.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Self-starter.
• Proven ability to set and focus on priorities to meet deadlines.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred

• Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with existing and emerging nature and climate financing trends, including, but not limited to those related to global, regional, and local carbon and environmental (e.g. biodiversity, water, nutrient) markets and trends.
• Experience analyzing and implementing impact finance mechanisms such as sustainability bonds/loans, payments for environmental services, carbon offsets, carbon credits, and SMME investments.
• Fluency in Portuguese or experience working in an environment with multiple languages.

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

Application Deadline: June 14, 2024 (11:49 PM EST)

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.