The Conservation Finance Innovation Fellow will help develop a new program on conservation finance innovation and replication and work to create dynamic and unconventional approaches to contribute to a shift in how nature is valued, financed and protected.

The Conservation Finance Division (CFD) is in the process of formalizing a program on conservation finance innovation and replication. The program will innovate and replicate new business and investment models which create greater demand for private sector investment into conservation (both from internal and external sources).  The Fellow will contribute core capacities and expertise in the areas of programmatic development, project management, business planning, financial structuring and due diligence to help design the new program and pilot the program’s new approaches to building CI’s pipeline of innovative business and investment models.

As a member of CI’s Fellows Program, the selected candidate will have opportunities to expand the breadth of their professional skills and experience through collaboration with a cohort of exceptional conservation finance practitioners, scientists, and project managers, working throughout the institution, with opportunities for co-learning across new areas of study and practice, and personal development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Development of Conservation Finance Innovation and Replication Program. Contribute to the development of the new program, including helping develop a strategic plan which aligns with institutional goals, organizing the work and meetings of the program’s core team, helping coordinate work with other CFD programmatic pillars, and helping collaborate with other CI divisions and external partners, including through training and learning events.
• Development and Application of Decision Tools & Analytics. Contribute to the development and/or refinement of tools and approaches that combine and integrate leading conservation finance, science, and applied conservation and restoration expertise, to source, select and support the best new innovative conservation finance projects.
• Development of Innovative Conservation Finance Business Models. Contribute to concept design for 2-3 innovative conservation finance business models, incubating business model design in collaboration with internal and external partners, and designing pilot projects, including leading on the development of business plans.
• Replication of Conservation Finance Business and Investment Models. Conduct research on proven conservation finance business and investment models that CI is well placed to replicate in order to advance institutional goals and geographic priorities.  Identify 2-3 replication opportunities based on a) business and investment models that CI has invested in through CI Ventures or as a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Agency and b) other well-documented proven models, including those described in blueprints developed by the Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC) or other similar initiatives.  Collaborate with internal and external partners (including private sector proponents) to replicate each model and help manage the projects through to financial close.
• Support Collaboration with Private Sector to Facilitate Improved Financial Flows to Conservation.
• Contribute to the management of projects in which CI collaborates with the private sector to increase investment in nature. Projects may include the development of new funds or instruments where a private sector partner leads in financial structuring while CI provides ESG leadership and guidance.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.