Associate Director, Sustainable Finance

Associate Director, Sustainable Finance

Major Function

The Associate Director, Sustainable Finance leads the conception, creation, and implementation of Bezos Earth Fund initiatives on sustainable finance and works under the supervision of the Director of Sustainable Finance, Industry and Diplomacy. The Earth Fund is developing a number of large-scale initiatives to increase the flow of climate and nature positive finance (both public and private) globally and to improve the alignment of private and public financial institutions’ financing and investment portfolios with Paris and SDG goals. We seek a self-starting senior professional with expertise in sustainable finance – ideally both public and private – and experience in conceiving, building, and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives at large scale.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong skills in strategy formulation and multi-stakeholder convening and communication; fluency in technical matters related to lending and investment, and familiarity with the climate finance ecosystem and discourse. Given the small size of the Earth Fund team, the Associate Director, Sustainable Finance will take responsibility for the development of major initiatives with guidance from the Director and must be comfortable working in both autonomous and collaborative modes and directly managing senior relationships with partners and grantees.

Specifically, the Associate Director, Sustainable Finance will:

• Participate in learning and evaluation activities to guide the evolution of programmatic work.
• Reviews the performance outcomes and status of all activities, evaluates results and makes recommendations for corrective action.
• Collaborate with partners and grantees on project design and proposals.
• Ensure that equity remains a priority in grantmaking activities.
• Provide ongoing collaboration, technical expertise, and advisement.
• Assist with data capture, analysis and reporting for grants awarded in specified region(s) to support learning, assessment, thought leadership and storytelling activities.
• Support strategy development, grantmaking activities and project implementation
• Provide guidance and support for convenings of stakeholders, experts, and the public.
• Manage grant portfolios and relationships with partners/grantees.
• May supervise the work of consultants, interns, and others as appropriate
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Help identify, vet, and recommend organizations for grant funding.
• Lead the Earth Fund’s engagement with stakeholder groups, grantees, and partner foundations to advance its initiatives in the area of sustainable finance, including representing the Earth Fund at high-level meetings and organizing convenings as appropriate.

Education and Experience:

A graduate degree or equivalent experience in sustainable finance or a related discipline is required. Position requires a minimum of 12 years of experience in sustainable investment, research, multistakeholder program development, and/or diplomacy. Familiarity with philanthropic work and experience working in international organizations preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong research and analytical skills
• Preference for direct experience with project finance or investment processes within public or private financial institutions
• Good communication skills in an additional language, such as Spanish, French, or Mandarin is a plus.
• A deep commitment to the mission and values of the Earth Fund
• Ability to work easily with and communicate effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and stakeholder groups.
• Good understanding of the core scientific, economic, and political issues relating to decarbonization and, preferably, nature conservation and restoration.
• A naturally collaborative mindset that readily engages others, encourages others to share the spotlight, and celebrates and supports the success of colleagues, partners, and grantees.
• Strong organizational skills and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively in and across teams.
• Fluency in English
• Ability to operate with independence, under pressure, to meet deadlines and commitments from multiple and competing priorities.
• Strong knowledge of technical, economic, and political dimensions of sustainable finance challenges and solutions
• Strong written and oral communication skills, both analytical and persuasive

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• This position is based in Washington D.C.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• May require extended hours for urgent issues or to meet established deadlines.
• Some travel may be required.

To Apply:

This position offers a competitive salary and includes a benefits package. The Bezos Earth Fund is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination. The Earth Fund recognizes diversity as an asset essential to accomplishing its work. We actively welcome all qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, disability, military/veteran status, compensation history or any other basis prohibited by law. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible.