Sustainable Investment for Climate and Nature Lead

Sustainable Investment for Climate and Nature Lead

CIFOR-ICRAF - Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry

Bonn, Germany

Overview

The primary responsibility of the Sustainable Investment for Climate and Nature Lead is to shape CIFOR-ICRAF’s transition from research to implementation by driving investment partnerships and scalable finance solutions.

Summary of responsibilities

• Designing and steering the sustainable investment research and delivery agenda in line with our renewed strategy;
• Providing strategic leadership and coordination for CIFOR-ICRAF’s work on sustainable climate and nature finance, bridging science, finance and policy to support investments into resilient landscapes;
• Aligning and integrating finance-focused work across CIFOR-ICRAF, GLF and Resilient Landscapes;
• Developing and fostering a community of practice focused on innovative climate and nature finance solutions across CIFOR-ICRAF regions and projects, ensuring quality, efficiency and effectiveness across the CIFOR-ICRAF portfolio;
• Working closely with the CIFOR-ICRAF Quality for Impact unit to establish KPIs to track financial performance and environmental impact of blended finance programmes;
• Contributing to the organization’s system thinking and delivery by conducting emergent analysis over a two-year period, identifying key trends and strategic insights to enhance overall performance.

Blended finance programme design and implementation

• Developing financial structures that combine public, private and philanthropic funding to de-risk investments in sustainable agriculture and forestry;
• Designing first-loss capital mechanisms, guarantees, concessional finance and risk-sharing models to attract investors;
• Working with donors, development banks and impact investors to structure sustainable finance mechanisms that align with climate, biodiversity and rural development goals;
• Conducting financial feasibility assessments to ensure the viability of investment projects;
• Working closely with CIFOR-ICRAF teams to design and advise on performance-based payment options and instruments such as payments for ecosystem services and ecological compensation.

Stakeholder engagement and capacity building

• Leveraging the GLF Investment Case partnerships and networks to cultivate relationships with financial institutions, development banks, impact investors, philanthropic actors and government agencies;
• Building the capacity within CIFOR-ICRAF science teams to translate science and landscape knowledge into actionable investment insights;
• In collaboration with the CIFOR-ICRAF Capacity Development and Education Hub and the GLF Investment Case, identifying community-of-practice activities, sustainable finance blended learning tools and learning exchanges;
• Overseeing the development of knowledge products (e.g., investment guides, financial models, policy briefs) to build awareness across the financial sector (including MFIs, commercial banks, national development bank(s), etc.) about nature-related financial risks and opportunities in conservation of primary forests and the restoration of semi-natural forests at the landscape level;
• Representing CIFOR-ICRAF in global events, especially the GLF Investment Case and UNFCCC COPs.

Regional innovation and business development

• Under the leadership of the Director of Europe, identifying, supporting and pursuing innovation and new business opportunities;
• Together with CIFOR-ICRAF country teams, developing opportunities for technical advisory roles, including feasibility assessments, due diligence, environmental and social safeguard reviews, concept pilots and business model development;
• Supporting the design and implementation of innovative regional projects aligned with the thematic area;
• Collaborating with the Director of Europe, theme leaders, the Resource Mobilization Team, and regional and country leads to identify and pursue new business opportunities;
• Aligning thematic contributions to regional strategic goals and client priorities;
• Participating in proposal development and donor and client engagement efforts in Europe, with specific emphasis on agencies based in Brussels, Luxembourg and Germany;
• In collaboration with the Communications, Outreach and Engagement Team and other research theme leaders and scientists, ensuring that information about CIFOR-ICRAF and the outcomes of its work are effectively conveyed to partners and target audiences.

Requirements

Discipline

• A master’s degree in finance, economics, development finance, sustainable investment, or related field.

Expertise

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in investment structuring, impact finance, or blended finance for agriculture, forestry or climate projects;
• Strong knowledge of concessional finance, development finance institutions (DFIs) and catalytic capital mechanisms;
• Experience working with multilateral organizations (e.g., World Bank, IFC, GEF), private investors and government agencies;
• Expertise in financial modelling, risk assessment and structuring investment vehicles;
• Familiarity with carbon finance, conservation trust funds, sustainable supply chains and landscape restoration financing is a plus;
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills;
• Prior work in emerging markets, smallholder finance or sustainable commodity supply chains;
• Understanding of green finance frameworks (e.g., EU Taxonomy, natural capital accounting, ESG, SDGs);
• Experience designing impact funds or blended capital facilities;
• Excellent facilitation and team-building capacity;
• Proven management skills with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experienced in working with multicultural and multidisciplinary research teams in tropical countries and elsewhere;
• Experience in project management, including management of large budgets and many staff members and consultants;
• A track record in resource mobilization/fund raising and proposal development;
• Competency in personal organization, priority setting and managing multiple tasks.

Apply NowDeadline 7 August