TNC-GCF Project Development Manager at The Nature Conservancy in Arlington, Virginia

Job Description:

OFFICE LOCATION

Arlington, Virginia, USA

This position is negotiable anywhere The Nature Conservancy is authorized to conduct business. Arlington, VA is TNC's headquarters. Regardless of location, the ideal candidate will be available during 10:00 - 3:00 PM ET.

#LI-REMOTE

WHO WE ARE

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Nature Conservancy is an Accredited Entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which allows the organization to work with developing countries and other partners to design and implement transformative projects that support their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As part of the TNC-GCF Unit, the TNC-GCF Project Development Manager coordinates and supports the development of TNC-led GCF project proposals and helps establish and maintain the enabling conditions for the successful funding and delivery of GCF projects.

The TNC-GCF Project Development Manager reports to the TNC-GCF Unit Director within the broader Public Funding Center (PFC) and Policy and Public Funding (PPF) Business Unit, but will leverage constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of colleagues, including regional and country programs, global strategy teams, senior management and impact investing staff, project implementation partners, and the GCF. The TNC-GCF Project Development Manager will be instrumental in leveraging TNC's experience in climate change mitigation and adaptation, channeling finance through public and private sector partners, and utilizing various financing instruments, including grants, loans and equity, to mobilize resources from the GCF to meet GCF objectives and country priorities embedded within TNC's 2030 goals.

This position will include international travel and calls before/after regular working hours. The TNC-GCF Project Development Manager may travel frequently and on short notice, and occasionally work long hours and weekends. The work environment may involve infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain. Location is flexible in the geographies in which TNC works. Schedule and core hours must align with that of the East Coast of the United States.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The challenges facing our planet today require comprehensive solutions that address the well-being of people and nature and lay the foundation for future conservation efforts. Promoting policies and actions that provide benefits to both people and nature, and engaging with public donors is critical to securing lasting climate and conservation outcomes. The work and expertise of TNC's PPF Business Unit is integral to this effort. The PPF is helping to shape the government policies and mobilize public resources that help make possible achievement of transformative conservation outcomes to address climate change, enhance protection of lands, waters, and the ocean, and provide food and water sustainably. We have an awesome task at hand, and the work that you do here will have a direct impact on our success.
We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. To implement these priorities, we collaborate actively in a non-confrontational manner with public sector agencies, NGOs, academia, business and the finance sector.

If you're looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Unit as the TNC-GCF Project Development Manager. This position will allow you to:

• Support the identification of project ideas in collaboration with in-country partners and governments, the TNC-GCF Unit Director and staff, TNC country programs, global teams and the TNC-GCF Steering and Technical Advisory Committees.
• Support, coordinate, manage and guide project teams throughout the project development cycle, including the drafting of Project Idea Notes, Concept Notes, applications for Project Preparation Facility funding, and full Funding Proposals. This includes directing the drafting of high-quality climate rationale, Theory of Change (ToC), logical framework, investment criteria, budget and procurement plans, and associated documentation, stepping in as needed to ensure it happens and coordinating with other TNC specialists (climate science, grant services network, etc.) to bring their expertise to bear.
• Liaise with the GCF Secretariat to facilitate iterative feedback on idea and concept notes and proposals and help project teams respond to GCF comments.
• Collaborate with the TNC-GCF Safeguards Coordinator to integrate environmental and social safeguards and gender mainstreaming considerations into the project development process and ensure compliance with GCF requisites.
• Advise TNC staff at all levels to ensure alignment of project development with institutional priorities and capacities, and ensure project development processes follow the guidance of TNC's internal GCF Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Committee;
• Present information to and build capacity in TNC country programs, government counterparts, and other partners on the GCF funding process, compliance rules, and guide potential Executing Entities throughout the project development and implementation cycle.
• Effectively and strategically coordinate and support preparation and execution of project development meetings, training, capacity building and other workshops, consultations and in-country visits with relevant stakeholders, including governments, NDAs and local partners.
• Lead the review of proposal documents to ensure technical quality and alignment with country, GCF and TNC strategies and policies. Provide feedback and direction on drafts.
• Follow GCF board and regional meetings, maintain an understanding of, and ensure the integration of current GCF policies and priorities into TNC-GCF Proposals to ensure compliance with donor priorities and regulations.
• Manage the hand-over of approved GCF projects to the TNC-GCF Project Oversight Manager when the project begins implementation.

Contribute to the strengthening of the TNC-GCF Unit:

• Provide inputs to the Unit's overall strategy and alignment with TNC's broader mission.
• Establish and refine well-defined processes for developing GCF-funded projects with strategy-based and in-country staff, governments, local partners and counterparts.
• Prepare presentations and written materials to increase TNC's and partners' knowledge of the GCF project cycle.
• Advise on and develop new opportunities, partnerships, and projects that will ultimately build the TNC-GCF funding portfolio.
• Collaborate closely with the Unit Director, Safeguards Coordinator, Gender Specialists, Project Oversight Manager, M&E Manager, and other thematic experts to build capacity across the organization.
• Contribute to the development of new processes, training and project management tools for the TNC-GCF Unit.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

* Bachelor's degree and 7 years related experience in a field related to climate change, conservation and/or international development.
* Experience working with addressing climate change in developing countries.
* Experience designing and structuring projects and coordinating inputs from co-workers and consultants.
* Experience coordinating and supervising multidisciplinary team.
* Experience developing, managing and implementing multiple tasks and strategic goals.
* Experience working across complex organizations.
* Experience working in cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels and regions.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Extensive knowledge of the GCF and demonstrated experience developing successful GCF Funding Proposals.
* At least 5 years of practical experience developing, managing and implementing multi-million-dollar conservation and climate change projects/programs funded by bilateral and multilateral donors. Ability to lead strategically with a solid understanding of how to develop complex projects using sound consultation processes.
* Multi-lingual skills and cross-cultural experience appreciated. Experience working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs & LCs) appreciated.
* Proven interpersonal skills to interact effectively with GCF and TNC staff, government entities, and partners from diverse cultural backgrounds.
* Postgraduate degree
* Sound knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation in the context of natural and managed ecosystems, with sound knowledge of one or more of the following areas: Climate Finance, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation, Natural Climate Solutions, Forests and Land Use / REDD+.
* Experience with blended finance or non-grant financial instruments in climate change projects, private-public partnerships and/or engagement with private sector entities to achieve positive climate change outcomes.
* Experience in environmental and social impact assessments, development, and execution of safeguards management plans.
* Excellent English oral and written communication skills including the ability to summarize complex donor program rules, give constructive feedback, and presenting information to a wide variety of stakeholders
* Ability to analyze and interpret government, multilateral, and organization rules and regulations.
* Strong organizational skills and ability to oversee the development of several proposals simultaneously, meet deadlines and work under time pressure
* Demonstrated ability to think critically and synthetically across fields and topics, to develop and implement effective strategies and tactics for accomplishing assigned duties, and synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary.
* Proficiency in working independently as well as jointly with colleagues on a team, both in person and remotely.

WHAT WE BRING

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

SALARY INFORMATION

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $92,000 - $149,000 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate's qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 55826, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.

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