JOB DESCRIPTION
Position : Marine Conservation Finance Specialist
Reports to : North Maluku & North Sulawesi Program Manager
Location : Bogor, with travel to field sites and regionally
Country
Program : WCS Indonesia
Position Type : Full-time
Internal Liaison : Indonesia Country Director, Indonesia Deputy Country Director,
Program Manager PCU, Regional Conservation Finance Specialist,
Indonesia marine program managers
Organization Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.
WCS has worked in Indonesia since the 1960s. and currently operates projects in Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and North Maluku. It supports the regional Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) through the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) and improving the management of small-scale fisheries. In partnership with the CTI-CFF, WCS supports the Government of Indonesia to develop conservation finance arrangements for fisheries and marine protected areas (MPAs) in priority provinces in eastern Indonesia.
WCS’s Indonesia marine program is seeking a dynamic, experienced individual with background in conservation finance to help develop its portfolio of conservation finance projects.
Job Summary
This position will develop and deliver new finance initiatives to support and sustain marine conservation in Indonesia. The incumbent will provide technical assistance to government, community and private sector partners in order to strengthen capacities for conservation finance and improve regional coordination among partners. S/he will also lead the development of new conservation finance pilot projects in support of sustainable MPAs and fisheries. The primary focus is on supporting WCS’s work in the North Maluku and North Sulawesi seascapes, but with limited support extended to the other WCS seascape provinces of Aceh and West Nusa Tenggara.
Major Responsibilities
- Develop and manage an annual work plan focused on marine conservation finance in target Indonesian provinces, in coordination with the respective provincial program managers and coordinator.
- Coordinate the implementation of WCS’s marine conservation finance projects, together with WCS’s core conservation finance partners.
- Facilitate engagement between WCS, its core conservation finance partners, CTI-CFF and the Government of Indonesia to enhance coordination of conservation financing and sharing of successful lessons, models and approaches.
- Conduct assessments to identify opportunities for the sustainable financing of marine conservation, based on MPAs and sustainable fisheries, in target Indonesian provinces.
- Coordinate the development of financing inputs including any assessments, cost models, management plans and business plans required to obtain financing commitments.
- Participate in regional sustainable finance activities in partnership with CTI-CFF, and support their delivery of business forums and other finance-related events.
- Develop local capacity to support improved financing arrangements for marine conservation at target Indonesian provinces.
- Identify and develop new, strategic conservation finance partnerships and opportunities in Indonesia.
- Foster and maintain internal dialogue related to conservation finance within WCS and contribute to relevant WCS strategies.
- Provide training to WCS marine program personnel in conservation financing.
Other
- Apply and promote WCS’s values on respect, transparency and accountability, innovation, inclusion and diversity, collaboration, and integrity in daily work.
- Participate wholeheartedly in the general activities of WCS-IP particularly events and activities that require the full support and participation of all staff members.
Minimum Requirements:
- At least a Master’s Degree in Business, Law, Economics, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of five-year experience with the private sector, non-profit or government sectors working on conservation finance, marine conservation, philanthropy or private sector engagement.
- Strong ability to build relationships with relevant national authorities such as conservation agencies and financial institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to independently establish and implement new programs and initiatives that are output and outcome driven.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of partners and stakeholders, and to solve complex issues that involve multiple actors and/or interest areas.
- Demonstrated strong project management experience, especially in meeting project deadlines on time and to a high standard.
- Good working knowledge in the field of conservation and climate finance.
- Demonstrated experience developing external communications materials.
- Proficiency in English and Indonesian languages.
- Good analytical and interpretative problem solving skills.
- Good working computer skills, including knowledge in using Microsoft Office Applications.
- Concern for wildlife conservation & environmental issues is essential.
Applications
Please send a covering letter and CV in English to idrecruitment@wcs.org no late than 17 July 2020, stating in the subject line “Conservation Finance Specialist_(name)”.
Please also include a portfolio of your previous work or links to blogs or galleries online.
No correspondence, only short-listed candidates will be notified.