Job Advert Summary
(This is a 24 month fixed term contract based in WWF-SA Head office in Newlands, Cape Town)
WWF is the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is for nature, for you.
Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.
Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD)
The DFCD mobilizes investments for private sector profit-making (bankable) climate adaptation and nature projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Investments will seek to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable groups – particularly women and children – and enhance the health of critical ecosystems. The DFCD's Origination Facility (OF), managed by WWF-NL and SNV, is responsible for project identification and feasibility development activities. It provides grant funding and Technical Assistance (TA) to support projects in becoming viable investment cases for the two DFCD Investment Facilities - Water (managed by CFM) and Land Use (managed by FMO) - or third-party investors. In Africa, the OF focuses on bankable opportunities in South Africa, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda and is open to opportunities from other eligible countries.
Background:
WWF is looking for a Regional Manager to manage all activities for the Origination Facility in Africa. You will manage a small regional team of part-time bankable experts and jointly focus on developing green business propositions and catalyzing bankable projects to become viable investment cases. The focus sectors are climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water management, food security and ecosystem restoration. These solutions should contribute to climate-resilient and inclusive developments in the landscapes where they are proposed.
The Regional Manager will support priority WWF offices in Africa in the process of identifying and supporting these projects. WWF facilitates public-private collaboration and attraction of investments that will scale up such climate action projects at the landscape level and attract investments both from investors within and outside of the landscape, while tackling the impacts of climate change. The Regional Manager will also analyze business opportunities and existing bottlenecks in order to promote private sector investment in climate adaptation and nature.
Team integration and reporting line:
The Regional Manager will be based in South Africa as part of the Sustainable Finance team and has a dual reporting line. Line management will be to Senior Manager of Sustainable Finance in WWF South Africa. The operational project management reporting line is to the Programme Manager of DFCD who is based in WWF NL. You will work closely with the colleagues from the DFCD team in NL, the Africa regional team as well as the WWF offices in the focus countries.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelors or Master's degree in the field of Economics, Finance or Business
Minimum 8 years' experience in business development, private sector finance and/or impact investment
Strong financial and budgeting experience
Proven experience with project and pipeline management
Fluent in English, French is a bonus
Preferably Experience with Financial Institutions and building bankable pipelines and deal origination, including climate finance expertise and experience.
Analytical, strategic; sees the big picture
Proven organizational, diplomatic and negotiating skills that yield positive results on the sustainability agenda, especially as it relates to the finance and business world
Strong ability to lead the implementation of large-sized projects, including working with and coordinating funding partners, third parties and users
Ability to work effectively as a team member with a wide range of individuals across cultures and time zones
Ability to establish strong networks with diverse stakeholders, including government, industry, investors and donors
Independent worker, pro-active in thinking about opportunities to further improve the work
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Experience of working in emerging markets is key
Strong interest in nature conservation and the mission of WWF
Prior experience in due diligence, assessing financial institutions and climate risks would be an advantage
You recognize yourself in the values of WWF: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Inclusion
Must possess a combination of project management experience working on green financial solutions and a background in finance or business corporate sustainability at the interface of investment and sustainability.
Duties and Responsibilities
Create and manage a pipeline of investable/bankable projects that meet the criteria of DFCD.
Support existing deal flow for projects that contribute to adaptation and biodiversity.
Support increasing pipelines and opportunities for finance: identifying potential projects, as well as assessing applications.
Project management, including coordination, planning, implementation and reporting.
Liaise and engage with the WWF South Africa senior management on pipeline and projects.
Build and maintain relationships with African WWF offices and relevant partner organizations.
Regularly monitor the implementation progress and collect data on indicators and results.
Ensure the project is delivering results and contributing towards the objectives and strategies of DFCD described in the Workplan.
Support the selected WWF offices in Africa on project origination, engagement with investees, investors and other financial institutions.
Train colleagues in conservation departments in the region on concepts of landscape finance and bankable projects most relevant to DFCD to support deal origination.
Further information:
To apply please complete your online application and provide a detailed CV and cover letter fully motivating the relevant skills, experience and creativity that you can bring, together with the names, current e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three relevant references.
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