Director, Product Development, Debt Conversions

Company: The Nature Conservancy
Location: Arlington
Posted on: May 25, 2020

Job Description:

OFFICE LOCATION
Arlington, Virginia, USA. Location is flexible, but preferred locations are: Arlington, VA, USA; Nairobi, Kenya; or London, UK.

AA100

#LI-XY1

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AA100

A LITTLE ABOUT US
Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

NatureVest is the impact investment unit of The Nature Conservancy. NatureVest's mission is to create and transact investable deals that deliver conservation results and financial returns for investors. Our vision is based on the conviction that capital markets, businesses and governments must invest in nature as the long-term capital stock of a sustainable, equitable and more efficient economy. To achieve our mission, we source and structure investment products that support The Nature Conservancy's global strategies, raise capital for these investments, and share our knowledge and experience with the investment and conservation communities to amplify our efforts in this emerging area. To learn more, visit: www.naturevesttnc.org.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Director, Product Development, Debt Conversions will report to the Deputy Managing Director, Blue Bonds in NatureVest. Debt Conversions involve negotiating the restructuring of a country's sovereign debt using investment capital and credit enhancement to create funding to finance marine conservation and related activities in the country.

The Director's role shall be to lead the development and implementation of debt conversions primarily in the Africa region, but potentially in other regions across the globe where Debt Conversions opportunities can be identified. S/he will engage in all aspects of capital-raising including the soliciting of potential investors and donors, and the management of investor relationships. Key responsibilities shall also include: identifying and negotiating key partnership arrangements, developing financial models (including the incorporation of blended finance and credit enhancement mechanisms), performing due diligence and risk assessments / mitigation, developing internal and external materials, and structuring and closing the deals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Director, Product Development Debt Conversions will lead the development and implementation of debt conversions in Africa and potentially globally. The Director will collaborate with Worldwide Office teams, field staff, The Nature Conservancy senior management, including NatureVest, Africa and other regions, and partner organizations, such as multi-lateral and bi-lateral institutions, donors, investors, and national governments. The Director will also bring sophisticated business, financial, and economic analysis, and expertise, including financial modeling, pitch deck creation, due diligence, deal structuring and closing, to the design and implementation of this work. Initial focus of the position will be to bring to close existing potential debt conversions identified in Africa as well as identify additional countries in the region to eventually develop debt conversions.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

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• Implements and manages development of new and existing debt conversions in Africa and potentially globally.
• Manages and implements multiple deals in the Africa and/or other regions.
• Travel associated with this position is expected to be approximately 40% of the time.
• Ensures the programmatic work is collaborative and well-integrated across the organization, including staff from NatureVest, Africa and other regions.
• Makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• May direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements associated with the debt conversions.
  
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  
  
  
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  • Bachelor's degree and 7 years' experience in a private sector environment, such as management consulting and investment banking, or with a leading conservation organization or government entity, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience developing and implementing complex projects and strategic initiatives in an unstructured environment.
  • Experience leading and managing large scale projects, including working with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience negotiating complex agreements.
    
    DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
    
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    • Multi-lingual skills (French, Portuguese, or Arabic) and/or multi-cultural experience.
    • Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across the organization and with Conservancy partners.
    • Experience working with governments, multi-lateral, and/or bi-lateral institutions.
    • Ability to successfully develop and implement complex projects in an unstructured environment.
    • Outstanding analytical and project management capabilities.
    • Superior written and oral communications.
    • International work experience desirable. Experience working in Africa preferred.
    • MBA or similar degree with significant coursework in finance or economics.
    • The Nature Conservancy is committed to diversity and encourages candidates with diverse and nontraditional backgrounds to apply.
      
      HOW TO APPLY
      To apply to position number 48493, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 7, 2020.

Keywords: The Nature Conservancy, Arlington , Director, Product Development, Debt Conversions , Executive , Arlington, Virginia