IFI COORDINATOR SOUTHERN NODE

POSITION TITLE: IFI COORDINATOR SOUTHERN NODE
(South American External Affairs: Bolivia, Chile, Perú)
JOB TITLE: CONSERVATION BUSINESS SPECIALIST
JOB FAMILY: External Affairs/Government Relations
JOB NUMBER: 700001
SALARY GRADE: 7
FLSA STATUS: Exempt


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Nature Conservancy works to achieve the effective conservation of biodiversity in all of the world's major habitats. The Policy and Finance Institutions Specialist aims to identify, contact, raise and/or mobilize (leverage) public financial resources, both from bi and multi lateral agencies, including International Finance Institutions (IFIs) and from national and/or sub-national public agencies, in the External Affairs Southern Node (Bolivia, Chile and Peru).

His/her work will be carried out based on current and future grants and loans, related to biodiversity conservation, environmental issues, infrastructure development (transportation, energy, mining, irrigation and rural sanitation), rural development, agribusiness, forestry, and other sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture or tourism.

All his/her work will be coordinated with four South American Conservation Programs: Northern Tropical Andes, Southern Andes, Amazon, and Central Savannas and three Country Representations: Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
Essential functions will include:


Mapping and understanding grants received and under negotiation by national and/or sub-national governments of the three countries with bi and multi-lateral cooperation agencies, including International Finance Institutions (IFIs);
Influencing grants and loans received and offered by IFIs for national and sub-national governments towards biodiversity- sound investments;
Mapping current actions and tendencies to influence private banks towards adopting socio-environmental criteria for lending operations (aiming at the transportation, energy, mining, irrigation, agribusiness, forestry, fisheries , aquaculture and tourism sectors);
Tracking and influence environmental safeguard policies of each IFI (including private and national banks featuring such policies);
Designing proposals for funding TNC activities in areas such as conservation, infrastructure (transportation, energy, mining, irrigation), rural development, agribusiness, forestry, fisheries or tourism.
Supporting engagement of IFIs in TNC proposals;
Identifying and influencing top investors in the finance system acting in the node (bankers);
Developing and implementing a strategy to raise/mobilize funds for conservation through the improvement of licensing systems, royalties, canons or other mechanisms used by infrastructure investments, mining and or oil activities.
This position will be supervised by the Southern Node Associate Director of External Affairs.

SPECIFIC INITIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Refine and implement strategies for action at finance institutions, including a general component and a specific component for European agencies;
Engage TNC in ongoing bi- and multi-lateral projects (follow-up on donor meetings and international cooperation) , based on the understanding of TNC ongoing projects in the four Conservation Programs in the node (Southern Andes, Amazon, Central Savannas and Northern Tropical Andes);
Strengthen collaborative ties between TNC and finance institutions;
Track and influence GEF resources priority-setting process at the national level in the three countries and the effectiveness of on-going investments in the countries of the node;
Develop a concept proposals for the effective implementation of Compensation Funds in the environmental assessment and licensing process, including direct implementation of funds and leveraging projects;
Support Country Representatives dialogue process with national and sub-national agencies to raise and/or mobilize financial resources.
Support Country Representatives on current negotiations of debt swaps, such as the Tropical Forest Conservation Act; Free Trade Agreements and explore other financial mechanisms and parties;
Track public funds using the public funds tracking tool at the node level.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

Graduate degree either in economic sciences related to natural resources.
5 years senior-level experience in public administration, or international finance systems related to biodiversity conservation.
Good knowledge and contacts with International Finance Institutions working in the three countries of the node.
Working knowledge of the politics, society and environmental community of the countries.
Successful experience in developing, directing and managing projects and implementing strategic program goals.
Knowledge about bilateral or multilateral- funded projects.
Ability to work effectively with governmental and non-governmental organizations and local communities to realize project objectives.
Experience with biodiversity and general environmental issues in the node (broader South American experience is desirable).
Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish (Portuguese also desirable).
Demonstrated experience in MS Office, Word and Excel. May require database management skills with ability to produce reports. Ability to use advanced computer functions including navigating the Internet. Ability to manipulate, analyze and interpret data.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

Resolves complex issues independently within program area. Experiments to find creative solutions.
Designs, implements and directs multiple projects, setting and meeting deadlines and ensuring program accountability.
May negotiate complex high profile or sensitive agreements.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE /DECISION- MAKING:

Significant opportunity to act independently within broad program goals.
Makes strategic decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
Decisions may have program-wide impact.
RESPONSIBILITY/ OVERSIGHT – FINANCIAL AND SUPERVISORY:

May supervise administrative and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development. At the beginning, the position supervises no staff but may help plan and direct the work of volunteers or interns.
May serve as team leader for assigned projects and coordinate the work of others
May assist with program budget preparation and monitoring.
Responsibility and accountability for meeting departmental strategic goals and objectives.
COMMUNICATIONS/ INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

Ability to communicate professionally with a wide variety of people of different cultures to develop, negotiate and/or implement functional programs.
Solicit program support through clear written communications, including proposal writing and other written materials.
Identify, cultivate and solicit major donors in support of program activities.
Strong communications and presentation skills;
Work in partnership with other organizations in a collaborative and advisory capacity.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Willingness to travel 20-30% of the time.
Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or physical strain. Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
The position will be located in Lima, Perú
TO APPLY:

Submit cover letter and resume in English to ablanco@tnc. org until April 2, 2008. Please include job title in subject line of email.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer


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NADIA RAMOS SERRANO

Perú