Role Purpose
The Manager, Nature Programme role will:
Manage the delivery of FSD Africa’s work on nature-related finance within the context of FSD Africa’s strategy and the Risk & Resilience Pillar’s focus, ensuring that the programme results in meaningful real-sector outcomes.
Co-ordinate the roll-out of Risk & Resilience’s nature-related risk projects so that results are achieved, timelines are managed, and quality projects are delivered; ensuring that ongoing learning from projects is fully utilized to maximise impact and innovation.
Actively participate in the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications plan for the nature-related finance project portfolio; ensuring that the outcome is extensive awareness-building, engagement around topics of resilience financing, portfolio risk analysis & proactive tracking of environmental risk, and behavioural changes of stakeholders in both private and public spheres.
Provide programme and operational management support to the Director, Risk & Resilience as required in support of the Pillar’s nature finance strategy and programming.
Duties and Responsibilities
Nature-Based Risk Management Strategy and Programming
Manage the delivery of FSD Africa’s work on nature-related risk and opportunity within the context of FSD Africa’s strategy and the Risk & Resilience Pillar’s focus, ensuring that the programme results in meaningful real-sector outcomes:
Scope out existing research (and undertake additional research if agreed upon), to gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of how to catalyse finance to better manage and transfer nature-related risk and develop nature-related opportunity.
Share learnings associated with strategy development and programming with the broader FSD Africa organisation and partners (incl. the FSD Africa Green Working Group).
Support broader fundraising efforts underway across FSD Africa, including through co-drafting applications with the Fundraising Committee and Pillar Heads, offering perspectives on where nature-related ‘angles’ could be incorporated into proposals, and developing project concepts with consortia of partners as needed.
Work collaboratively with the Development Impact function to devise and manage results measurement and learning frameworks that will yield important insights into the development of effective long-term strategies, approaches, and interventions.
Project Origination and Planning
Assist the Lead, Natural Capital in developing a portfolio of nature-related projects and implementing partners which will collectively be effective in driving impact and systemic change:
Identify and select potentially impactful implementing partners, supporting them where necessary through the due diligence process (including the development & signing of MOUs/contracts).
Collaborate with implementing partners and relevant technical experts to develop project proposals that comply with Investment Committee standards.
Ensure that all staff, consultants and implementing partners involved in nature-related projects are fully briefed concerning expectations; especially on project milestone targets, quality standards, data collection/reporting, and compliance with accountability requirements.
Develop detailed implementation plans, budgets and cash-flow forecasts that will ensure project success – where necessary, address nature-related capacity gaps of partners.
Project Implementation
Co-ordinate the roll-out of Risk & Resilience’s nature-related risk projects so that results are achieved, timelines are managed, and quality projects are delivered; ensuring that ongoing learning from projects is fully utilised to maximise impact and innovation. The position holder must particularly index towards exceptional program management skills with a demonstrated ability to organise multiple tasks effectively.
Work with implementing partners to assist them in disseminating messaging and deliverables according to the project plans, maintaining strategic clarity, focusing on impact, and with a collaborative approach.
In case of an implementing partner having challenges, provide analytical support, or organize the provision of support to ensure project success.
Co-develop and engage other FSD Africa Pillars as appropriate in other nature-related work, including, but not limited to, debt sustainability analysis, digital/data generating projects and enabling infrastructure, development impact-linked research, communications and advocacy campaigns, and guiding nature and biodiversity related investments.
Review the Quarterly monitoring and evaluation reports for any allocated projects and take appropriate action based on results and analysis:
If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in,’ focusing on applying leverage, replication of the project, and scaling.
If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/approach.
Identify, report on, and mitigate project risks in a timely manner (project delivery and partnership management).
Communicating for Impact
Actively participate in the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications plan for the nature-related risk management project portfolio; ensuring that the outcome is extensive awareness-building, engagement around topics of resilience financing, portfolio risk analysis & proactive tracking of environmental risk, and behavioural changes of stakeholders in both private and public spheres:
Manage relationships with key sponsors including TNFD, HMG DEFRA & FCDO, consultants, financial institutions, and public stakeholders such as Finance Ministries and Regulatory bodies, engaging in advocacy for nature-related action, building stakeholder awareness and aiming to influence policy at the highest levels of public-sector decision-making.
Consult and collaborate with the Risk & Resilience Pillar and Strategic Communications team to identify how stakeholders need to be influenced to support the success of interventions for nature-related risk management; this may include a need to advocate for legislative/policy reform or to incentivize (or some other supporting mechanism) greater action amongst potential beneficiaries for mindset change.
Work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications team and Development Impact function to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact, and this impact is articulated.
Contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Communications agenda (e.g., by developing content for written materials – blogs, editorials, op-eds, contributing to content development on our website; participating in advocacy campaigns, attending conferences and events etc.).
Support the successful participation at in-person events associated with the green and nature-related agenda (e.g., COPs, London Climate Action Week, Africa Climate Week, Ministerial meetings, African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development etc.) and taking ownership of key communications artefacts required.
Participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports, including our publicly facing strategy documents and impact assessments.
Director Support
Provide programme and operational management support to the Director, Risk & Resilience as required in support of the Pillar’s strategy and programming.
Education, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications and Education
Superior quality bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
Relevant postgraduate qualifications preferred.
Excellent skills in written and spoken English.
Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
At least 6 years of professional experience in projects management across multiple countries and institutions in Africa.
Experience working in a complex and pioneering environment.
Track record of managing relationships and influencing stakeholders in the financial sector in Africa; good influencing/ interpersonal skills
Good level of project management skills and experience of implementing projects with timeframes of 2-5 years
Track record of effectively managing people; including ability to motivate and coordinate teams.
Ability to engage & influence convincingly at a senior management level.
Ability to manage a project using digital platforms or tools to communicate; ability to manage data/ documentation electronically.
Ability to manage project portfolio with middle-level budget.
Excellent written & spoken English
Desirable
Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
Knowledge and conceptual understanding of environmental risks (and associated topics) & application to international development / financial market systems development
Experience working with donors, including knowledge of donor policies and procedures.
Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects
Second language French
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Use the link(s) below to apply on company website. If you wish to be considered for this position, please click Apply and complete the Application Form below on or before 5 April 2023. In addition, we encourage you to please attach a copy of the most recent English version of your CV.All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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