SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES;

Strategic and Thought leadership;
Develop and implement a nature investment strategy for ESARO, ensuring a coherent approach that aligns with the thematic priorities.
Lead ESARO’s strategic engagement with multilateral and climate finance – including Multilateral Development banks such as AfDB, World Bank, Public Development banks and leveraging IUCN’s accredited-entity status to crowd in bilateral, development bank and private capital through blended finance approaches.
Act as a thought leader in the identification and channeling of financing structures or vehicles that can channel finance to underserved parts of the green economy
Ensure regular engagement with other experts & decision makers in key countries to understand the strategic priorities for the development of nature investment and finance
Lead ESARO’s research into innovative nature finance; developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the economic and financial systems in the region and how to leverage nature positive outcomes
Support the regional director in advancing strategic priorities related to nature finance, biodiversity and carbon credits, climate change economics, and climate investment funds
Apply, contextualize and position IUCN’s normative assets including the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, the Red List of ecosystems, red list species, green lisr and related tools for investment integrity and risk management to guide stakeholders in best practice in nature investment and finance market development, drawing on (rather than duplicating) the IP developed by IUCN’s global nature finance function
Explore and developing innovative funding mechanisms to incentivize Nature Based Solutions (Carbon finance, green bonds, Debt-for-Nature swaps, Disaster Risk insurance, Payments for Ecosystem services (PES), etc.)
Develop Business cases for Nature investments across countries and geographies
Build and maintain strategic working relationships with key donors and partners

Programme Development and Resource Mobilization:
Oversee feasibility assessments for early-stage project opportunities
Identify funding opportunities aligned with regional biodiversity, climate and NBS strategies
Lead or support the development of high-quality investor proposals for project and program funding
Contribute to the cultivation and maintenance of strong relationships with bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, and private sector partners.
Contribute to regular engagement with donors to communicate progress, share lessons learned, and discuss funding priorities.
Provide strategic direction and oversight to the structuring and standards-based development of the pipeline; ensuring a credible, investment-ready set of propositions that partners and financiers can take to market.
Conceptualize, design and co-create investment proposals including results measurement and risk management frameworks.
Following approval, ensure robust delivery arrangements are in place through the relevant thematic programmes and country offices, which retain responsibility for implementation, budgets and procurement
Engage partners in joint strategizing and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on nature investment and finance
Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders.

Implementing Partners Management and Capacity building;
Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g., political economics, due diligence, influence, etc.
Support thematic programmes and country offices so that financing milestones are met to standard, without assuming direct delivery responsibility.
Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties.
Provide high quality technical advice and support to Implementing Partners, Consultants, and other project stakeholders in nature Innovative Climate Finance
Work with implementing partners to assist them in implementing their projects according to agree upon project plans, maintaining strategic clarity, focus on impact, and collaborative approach at all times.
Review the periodic nature investment and finance reports for any allocated projects and take appropriate action on the basis of results and analysis
Lead monitoring, risk mitigation, results management, and learning for projects being implemented

Leadership and Management;
Lead the programme area in effective and efficient planning and management of programs and resources to deliver excellent standards of service delivery
Build and lead the unit and team of staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value to IUCN and deliver high standards of performance
Direct and oversee all aspects of the practice area work plans, budget, and program implementation
Plan and organize the work of the unit
Manage the team and experts towards high standards of performance through clear roles and responsibilities, on-going feedback, and appraisals
Establish and maintain strong relationships across the areas of practice of the ESARO thematic programmes, country offices and the resource mobilisation function and others to identify needs, opportunities for collaboration, communication, and reporting.

Policy influence and Impact communication;
Clarify the ways in which achievement of IUCN’s objectives depends upon influencing the mindset or behaviour of stakeholders (e.g., national treasuries, Investors, MDBs, PDBs, investees, policymakers, end-users & other stakeholders)
Lead the development, implementation, and results-measurement of an innovative Communications & Influencing plan.
Take the lead in stakeholder mapping for nature investment and finance, identifying key decision makers / power brokers and develop innovative ideas for influencing them and/or transforming their mindsets.
Design and publish industry thought-leadership materials, particularly in nature investment and finance
Contribute to the development and implementation of ESARO’s Communications Plan
Lead and convene regional nature investment forums that elevate the importance of finance for nature and shape the thinking of investors, financiers and decision-makers