Description
Overview
Are you passionate about combating climate change and protecting biodiversity? Would you like to work for an international organization dedicated to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and protecting the world’s forests? Forest Stewardship Council Investments and Partnerships (FSC I&P) is seeking a Sustainable Finance Director to shape FSC’s emerging sustainable finance initiative. This role focuses on capturing and channeling climate and biodiversity financing through innovative projects and financial mechanisms, yielding economic, environmental, and social benefits for forest stewards.
This full-time position is based in FSC I&P’s Seattle office (5101 14th Ave NW) with potential for remote work. It reports to the FSC I&P Deputy Director.
About FSC and FSC Investments & Partnerships
In the early 1990s, leaders in business, human rights, and the environment established the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to combat threats to the world’s forests. FSC certification ensures products from forests are responsibly managed according to robust guidelines benefiting the environment and society.
Established in 2016, FSC I&P is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to amplifying responsible forest management and innovation. It collaborates with FSC offices worldwide and the International Secretariat in Bonn, Germany.
About the Position
The Sustainable Finance Director brings extensive knowledge of the sustainable finance world and understands how financial investments, mechanisms, and instruments can be aligned with FSC’s nature-based solutions. This candidate has a blended skillset and entrepreneurial perspective to assess and operationalize opportunities.
Core Duties:
Strategy & Programming
- Establish a sustainable finance engagement strategy.
- Build relationships with investors and financial institutions in collaboration with FSC colleagues globally.
- Structure financial mechanisms and instruments within FSC to manage financing opportunities advancing FSC’s Climate, Biodiversity, and Restoration agenda.
- Advise on sustainable finance topics within FSC.
Portfolio Management
- Develop bankable project pipeline for investment opportunities and for origination process, applying pre-screening as established by investors.
- Manage the various stages of portfolio investment maturity.
- Ensure project implementation aligns with commitments to investors, financiers, partners, and donors.
- Develop a due diligence process to align risk management perspectives ensuring financial initiatives yield positive impacts.
Learning
- Define and organize a learning agenda for Sustainable Finance to build capacity across FSC.
- Participate in key conferences and events to stay updated with sustainable finance conversations.
External Engagement
- Engage in platforms to strengthen organizational capacity, brand visibility, and FSC’s reputation, communicating impacts at various levels.
- Increase FSC’s visibility in the financial market.
- Represent FSC in sustainable finance forums globally.
Other
- Travel (including international travel) up to 30% of the time
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
Experience
- A master’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience in natural capital finance and investments.
- 5+ years of experience in financial institutions or NGOs focused on financial deals for positive environmental and social outcomes.
- Proven experience in identifying nature-based bankable projects connecting with investors/financial institutions, and with origination process.
- Experience developing financial tools to support sustainability projects.
- Strong networking experience with financial institutions.
- Knowledge of sustainable finance mechanisms and related frameworks (e.g., SLLs, SLBs, green bonds).
Skills
- Outstanding analytical, collaborative, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work efficiently, flexibly, empathetically, and diplomatically in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.
- Highly organized and collaborative, with a capacity for building long-term relationships.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
FSC I&P is committed to building an organization and team, supporting leaders, and developing policies that embrace diversity, foster an environment of inclusion, and enhance equity. We believe that differences in backgrounds, in experiences, in perspectives, and in identities lead to stronger organizations, stronger teams, and stronger, more effective solutions for forests and the people that call them home. We value diversity across multiple dimensions, including but not limited to race, color, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief, disability status, and age.
Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when in fact they often do.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $100,000 to $130,000 annually. FSC I&P offers a competitive benefits package, including premium health and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability and life insurance, 401k savings plan with 3% employer safe harbor contribution, 10 paid holidays, and 31 days (about 1 month) of paid time off annually.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
FSC I&P is based in Seattle, Washington, and applicants who currently or plan to live there will be prioritized. Travel is moderate. The Sustainable Finance Director will need to occasionally work hours that accommodate colleagues in time zones around the world. Travel is moderate. Most work is indoors, requiring sitting, standing, and speaking for extended periods. Occasional travel and flexible hours to accommodate global colleagues are required.
TO APPLY:
Valid US work authorization is required. To apply, email your resume and cover letter to R.Foster@fsc.org. Reference “Sustainable Finance Director – [YOUR NAME]” in the subject line. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until 30 June 2024.
FSC Investments & Partnerships is an equal opportunity employer and will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities during the hiring process.