Nature Bonds Strategy Lead
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Bonds program is a priority initiative within The Nature Conservancy that works to generate new funding and new commitments by governments for conservation and nature-based climate action that drive biodiversity conservation, resilience, nature-compatible employment, and sustainable economies, such as the recent Ecuador Nature Bond.
What We Can Achieve Together:
The Nature Bonds Strategy Lead oversees the Nature Bonds project portfolio – both future projects and the implementation of closed transactions – and guides our strategy to secure durable conservation and climate outcomes through sovereign debt solutions. The Strategy Lead provides strategic direction and management for the program’s outcomes and establishes the overall conservation priorities aligned with TNC’s 2030 Goals. They are responsible for overall program funding, resources, and budget. The Nature Bonds strategy is “co-led”, meaning it is a close partnership between TNC’s Protect, NatureVest, and Regional teams and is overseen by a multi-division Steering Committee. The Strategy Lead works with workstream leads to identify and resolve internal and external bottlenecks and barriers, mitigate risks, and identify pathways for adaptive management of individual projects and for the strategy as a whole. They also elevate and address issues as necessary to the Strategy’s Steering Committee.
The Nature Bonds Strategy Lead supports regional TNC Business Units in closing and implementing a targeted portfolio of prospective projects and an existing portfolio of closed projects by appropriately allocating technical and financial resources across the portfolio to successfully deliver our long-term conservation and nature-based climate outcomes. These outcomes include achieving effective and durable 30x30 protections, addressing climate mitigation and adaptation through nature-based solutions, and advancing nature and climate outcomes through sustainable bioeconomy initiatives.
The position directly oversees a small and able team of Global Protect staff who support and/or lead the conservation planning and outcomes, monitoring and evaluation, implementation, administration, and/or cross-organizational coordination. This team works closely with a much larger disbursed team in local business units and global programs to effectively deliver on the goals and projects under the Nature Bonds strategy.
As such, the Lead will need to manage and oversee the strategy in a way that closely collaborates with and leverages the strength of the organization across direct and indirect reporting lines and will act as a leader, facilitator, and mediator to bring the team together under a shared vision, culture, and goals. The Strategy Lead demonstrates a proven track record of, and commitment to, radical collaboration and co-leadership of complex programs. They work in close partnership with their counterpart in NatureVest (TNC’s impact finance wing) to advance the Strategy and deliver a successful portfolio and its outcomes for nature. They inspire a One Conservancy culture with leadership and staff from The Nature Conservancy’s Impact, Finance and Markets Division, Regional Programs, Public Policy and Funding, and Protect, Provide, and Climate programs.
They are responsible for engaging key internal and external partners, from cultivating and stewarding donors and engaging with philanthropy teams, to elevating strategic communications internally and externally, and engaging governments and private sector stakeholders. They also serve as one of the primary points of contact and liaison for The Nature Conservancy’s involvement with the Debt for Nature Coalition and evaluate how TNC can support the broader partnership portfolio to advance high-quality debt projects to achieve more conservation and climate outcomes through radical collaboration with others.
This position is part of the Global Protect Lands, Waters, and Oceans Business Unit and reports to the Global Managing Director, Global Protect, with oversight from the Nature Bonds Strategy Steering Committee, comprised of executive leadership from the different units that comprise the Nature Bonds strategy at TNC. The position has deep connections with teams across the Conservancy, including our experts from Country Programs and Regional Teams, External Affairs, Impact Finance and Markets, and Climate Change.
The location for this position is flexible within countries where The Nature Conservancy is a registered NGO and has an already established office. This position is not eligible for relocation or immigration assistance. This position may require frequent travel (30-50%) and evening and weekend hours.
We’re Looking for You:
Our Nature Bonds team consists of a dedicated group who are leading the conservation effort on multiple fronts across the globe and who expertly bring strategy and action together. We’re looking for an experienced strategy leader and strong manager with conservation and climate experience who wants to make a difference for nature and people around the world.
What You’ll Bring:
- BA/BS degree and 12 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation.
- Experience designing, implementing, and directing complex or multiple projects of strategic importance, including managing finances, supervising multidisciplinary professionals and coordinating the work of partners while meeting deadlines.
- Experience with conservation and/or climate finance.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Experience developing, advising and/or negotiating complex policy wins with national governments.
- Experience networking with high level conservation, finance, and government contacts.
- Experience working with methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic and creative initiatives.
Desired Qualifications
- Multi- lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Master’s degree and 12-15 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of
- Experience with matrix management, empowering, and delegating to a large, distributed team with direct and indirect lines of authority; demonstrated experience with motivating teams and individuals and adapting to shifting demands.
- Possess strong interpersonal skills and political savvy. Must be a team player.
- Experience designing, closing, and/or implementing large scale financing for conservation and/or climate. Experience prioritizing and sequencing a portfolio of high-profile conservation projects.
- Experience with strategic (long-term) and operational (short-term) planning based on measurable goals. Ability to track against plan and proactively adapt.
- Experience with purposeful communication with high-level contacts in government, environment, and finance sectors.
- Experience developing, managing, and stewarding complex partnerships and collaborative initiatives with non-profit partners, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and/or government agencies.
- Experience working in and with low- and lower-middle-income countries.
- Experience developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Experience with start-up organizations and programs, building new teams, and/or scaling up programs.
- Knowledge of politics, economics, rights-based approach, and society with respect to environmental policy and initiatives.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time sensitive deadlines.
- Strong communication skills; communicates clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other languages, French and/or Spanish highly desirable.
- Experience in linking science, policy, and practice to achieve tangible conservation and policy outcomes in freshwater, terrestrial, and/or marine environments.
Salary Information:
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $132,800 - $177,100 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
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