Manager, Durable Conservation and Finance

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was established in 1961 and has since become one of the world's leading conservation organizations. With a mission to help people and nature thrive, WWF operates in over 100 countries, collaborating with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and promote sustainable solutions. The organization is grounded in scientific research and driven by collaborative efforts, focusing on conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. WWF boasts nearly 1 million members in the United States and over 5 million globally, reflecting its extensive reach and commitment to environmental conservation.

Job Overview:
The Manager, Durable Conservation and Finance plays a crucial role within the World Wildlife Fund, specifically within the Program Development and Integration (PDI) unit of the Durable Conservation and Finance team. This position is responsible for catalyzing long-term, sustainable financing for large-scale conservation areas. The Manager will oversee the viability and feasibility phases of WWF's incoming Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) pipeline, ensuring that the organization effectively identifies and develops new opportunities for conservation financing. The role requires collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders, including conservation finance experts, international financial institutions, and WWF's global network. The Manager will also be tasked with delivering cross-cutting outcomes for protected and conserved areas, making this position integral to the success of WWF's conservation initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Manager will be responsible for managing the viability and feasibility phases of WWF's incoming Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) pipeline, working closely with the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Senior Director of Durable Conservation and Finance. Key responsibilities include managing teams involved in PFP pipeline development, advising staff and external partners on new PFP opportunities, and ensuring aligned messaging across WWF-US and its Country Offices. The Manager will collaborate with various teams to enhance opportunities during PFP phases, ensuring seamless transitions and capturing best practices throughout the pipeline. Additionally, the role involves advising on partnerships aligned with Enduring Earth, defining priority geographies for collaboration, coordinating with WWF Country Offices, and representing WWF at relevant meetings and conferences. Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree, with an advanced degree preferred, in fields such as conservation science, international environmental or finance policy, conservation finance, or natural resource economics. The position requires 8-10 years of relevant program or professional experience, particularly in areas related to protected and conserved areas, project finance for permanence, conservation finance, and natural resource economics. Familiarity with government, private sector, and civil society actors in the nature finance sector is also preferred. Strong relationship-building skills, the ability to advocate diplomatically, and effective delegation and management of tasks across projects are essential qualifications for this role.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s Degree is required for this position, with an advanced degree preferred. Relevant fields of study include conservation science, international environmental or finance policy, conservation finance, or natural resource economics. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of conservation finance and the various stakeholders involved in large-scale conservation projects.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 8-10 years of program or professional experience, particularly in relevant technical areas such as protected and conserved areas, project finance for permanence, and conservation finance. Experience with large-scale, complex, multi-stakeholder projects is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the dynamics of government, private sector, and civil society actors working in nature finance. Additionally, experience living or working overseas is preferred, as it can provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in different geographical and cultural contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred for this position, as it will facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Other languages are also considered beneficial, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with international partners and communities involved in conservation efforts.

Additional Notes:
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship, and applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all hired individuals will need to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. upon hire. The organization does not provide relocation assistance for this role. WWF promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.