Conservation Finance Officer

Position Summary:

Title: Conservation Finance Officer, Migratory Bird Habitats, Latin America & the Caribbean

Supervisor: Director, Migratory Bird Habitats in Latin America & Caribbean

Location: Flexible/Remote

Salary: Estimated at $75,000; based on experience

Introduction:

The mission of American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is to conserve birds and their habitats across the Americas. We are a growing team of 125+ dedicated staff members located across the United States with a network of partners from Canada to Chile. Our work is guided by our principles, which include a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).

ABC is looking for an entrepreneurial person with conservation finance experience to work on the development of ABC’s BirdsPlus Fund. The BirdsPlus Fund catalyzes investments to create and sustain a portfolio of investable, scalable, and replicable habitat conservation and restoration projects. Guided by science and working side by side with partners, ABC is implementing these conservation projects in landscapes vital for birds, which we call “BirdScapes.” Since 2018, ABC and partners have piloted a pipeline of projects that aim to enhance habitat for migratory birds and generate market-competitive returns in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras and seek to expand these efforts to other countries in the region.

ABC seeks to hire a Conservation Finance Officer to join our Migratory Bird Habitats in Latin America & the Caribbean and BirdsPlus program to use their knowledge of and experience with a variety of conservation finance tools to develop blended finance deals and innovative financial solutions. The leadership of the Conservation Finance Officer will help us to protect and restore millions of acres of habitat for migratory bird species in Latin America and the Caribbean. This position will be remote in the United States and involve international travel.

Primary Duties:

The Conservation Finance Officer will:

• Develop and review business plans, financial models, pitch decks, and blended finance mechanisms. This person will work with their supervisor to explore financial mechanisms to scale the program’s impact.
• Have experience with financial instruments like nature funds and bonds, the economics of nature-based solutions, carbon finance, or biodiversity credits to develop projects of this nature.
• Help develop partnerships with climate and conservation finance initiatives and major private and public funders, such as Global Environmental Facility, Green Climate Fund, and bilateral development agencies.
• Develop new projects and new phases of ongoing projects as part of the BirdsPlus Fund. Such projects will include scaling the impact of SMEs in the land use sector and working with corporations and investors.
• Have a strong understanding of agroforestry systems, climate change mitigation and adaptation, bird or wildlife conservation interventions and tools, and strategies to improve local livelihoods to incentivize conservation.
• Communicate with our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to advance project activities, as well as travel to visit partners and project sites in rural areas.
• Work closely with ABC’s administration, development, and communications teams to track projects internally, fundraise, and share the results of our work with broader audiences.

Position Requirements:

• At least five years of conservation finance experience in Latin America and the Caribbean or an equivalent combination of advanced degree and experience. Advanced degree in natural resources economics, finance, business administration, agriculture, or a related field. Previous professional experience working in agribusiness or sustainable development initiatives is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge on agricultural land uses (e.g., agroforestry, forestry, etc.) is preferred.
• Full professional proficiency in Spanish and English, as well as excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Well organized with keen attention to detail and results-oriented. Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, have the tenacity and creativity to solve difficult problems, and have an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue new conservation finance opportunities.
• An outgoing, positive, persuasive manner and predisposition for collaboration, with the ability and comfort to work both independently and as part of teams, including with investors, partner conservationists, and government officials from different countries and cultures.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Background screening required

Benefits:

• Benefits include medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental health insurance policies; including vision.
• Paid vacation days, holidays (10+), sick leave, retirement savings with employer match, life insurance, parental leave, and Verizon cell service discount.