- To lead the development, implementation and growth of FSD Africa's Congo Basin and Francophone Nature Finance portfolio. The role is accountable for programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, resource mobilisation, financial management and risk oversight across priority Francophone markets. The postholder will build strategic relationships that advance nature-positive financial-market outcomes while strengthening internal capability and institutional knowledge.
Contract Type - 12 months fixed term
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS
KRA 1: Programme Development and Delivery
Provide end-to-end leadership for the design, establishment and delivery of the portfolio, ensuring that approved objectives are translated into well-governed programmes with clear results and accountability.
- Lead the design, establishment and implementation of the Congo Basin and Francophone Nature Finance portfolio.
- Lead the growth and engagement of ANCA members and partners withing the Congo Basin and Francophone countries.
- Develop and manage programme strategies, workplans, budgets, milestones, deliverables and performance indicators.
- Ensure delivery against approved objectives, donor commitments, contractual obligations and timelines.
- Identify, monitor and manage programme risks, dependencies and delivery challenges.
- Prepare high-quality programme reports, management updates and decision papers.
KRA 2: Partnerships and Stakeholder Management
Build and sustain the relationships required to establish FSD Africa as a credible partner and to coordinate effective action across public, private and development-sector stakeholders.
- Build and manage relationships with governments, regulators, financial institutions, investors, donors and implementation partners.
- Represent FSD Africa in relevant senior-level engagements, technical forums and industry platforms.
- Develop partnerships that support programme delivery, market development and FSD Africa's strategic positioning.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement across Francophone markets using culturally and contextually appropriate approaches.
KRA 3: Market and Business Development
Translate market insight and strategic opportunities into a credible pipeline of nature-finance initiatives, partnerships and funding propositions.
- Identify nature-finance opportunities and develop a credible pipeline across the Congo Basin and Francophone Africa.
- Lead or contribute to concept notes, funding proposals, donor engagement and partnership development.
- Support practical financial-market solutions that advance nature-positive outcomes.
- Generate and apply market intelligence to programme design and strategic priorities.
KRA 4: Relationships & Influencing
Lead the implementation of an influencing and engagement strategy that leverages partnerships, policy dialogue, and market-based interventions to drive systemic reform, enabling increased investment in nature finance.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping as part of market research and ecosystem analysis to identify key actors, their roles, and opportunities for collaboration in advancing sustainable nature finance.
- Develop and implement a targeted influencing strategy that aligns with market needs, advocating for policy and regulatory changes that enable increased nature finance flows.
- Engage with policymakers, financial institutions, and investors to advocate for nature finance policies, investment mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks that unlock capital for sustainable nature solutions.
- Leverage partnerships with key stakeholders to create platforms for knowledge exchange, investment facilitation, and policy dialogue, strengthening the enabling environment for nature finance.
- Represent FSD Africa in high-level engagements, ensuring that advocacy efforts align with institutional goals and contribute to broader financial market transformation objectives.
KRA 5: Implementing Partner Selection & Engagement
Lead on identifying, engaging, and empowering key implementing partners, so that they are equipped to operate effectively and contribute towards the nature finance programme strategy.
- Identify and engage high-impact implementing partners with the expertise and networks to drive systemic change in nature finance.
- Strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, regulators, and development agencies to enhance capacity and promote scalable nature finance models.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing and joint strategy development with partners to integrate nature finance best practices into market systems.
- Support implementing partners in establishing performance monitoring frameworks to measure the impact of nature finance interventions and ensure alignment with systemic transformation goals.
- Deliver targeted technical assistance and advisory support to implementing partners and financial stakeholders, ensuring nature finance solutions contribute to broader financial market development.
KRA 6: Financial and Resource Management
Ensure that financial, human and technical resources are planned, deployed and monitored responsibly to support efficient programme delivery and value for money.
- Manage programme budgets and resources in line with approved plans and organisational requirements.
- Coordinate consultants, technical partners and service providers, with clear deliverables and performance expectations.
- Monitor expenditure, forecasts and performance against agreed targets.
- Support annual planning, budgeting, forecasting and workforce planning.
KRA 7: Internal Collaboration and Capability Building
Connect the portfolio to FSD Africa's wider capabilities, enable a non-disruptive transition from Financial Markets and progressively embed knowledge, relationships and delivery capability within the organisation.
- Consult and collaborate with the Strategic Communications team to identify how stakeholders need to be influenced to support the success of interventions for nature-related risk management; this may include a need to advocate for legislative/policy reform or to incentivise (or some other supporting mechanism) greater action amongst potential beneficiaries for mindset change;
- Work with Nature Finance and other FSD Africa teams to identify opportunities for joint delivery and strategic alignment.
- Ensure an orderly handover of relevant relationships, knowledge and responsibilities from the postholder's current portfolio.
- Build institutional knowledge and internal capability in Francophone and Congo Basin markets.
- Share learning, market insights and programme experience across FSD Africa.
Qualifications and Education
- Masters degree and 9 years of experience or Bachelors Degree and 11 years of experience.
- Extensive experience in nature finance, francophone Africa, sustainable nature finance programme design and investment, or climate finance.
- At least 5 years leading technical advisory and market development initiatives in nature finance.
- Exceptional skills in written and spoken French and English.
Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- Track record of measuring and articulating impact measurements systems in practice; including process and framework development.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead high performing teams and manage external stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate the work of internal colleagues and oversee external suppliers and providers.
- Excellent interpersonal, presentational (i.e. public speaking) and influencing skills, with an ability to engage effectively with Senior Management.
- Experience in engaging with governments, financial regulators, and policymakers to shape nature finance policies and regulatory reforms.
- Strong ability to influence and manage relationships with institutional investors, project developers, and financial intermediaries.
- Familiarity with major stakeholders, policy frameworks, and emerging trends in Africa's nature finance ecosystem.
- Track record of leading high-performing teams in multi-stakeholder environments, effectively guiding and influencing diverse teams through collaboration rather than direct line management.
- Experience in multi-country or international nature finance initiatives, particularly in Africa
- Knowledge of donor policies, impact investment strategies, and FCDO-funded programmes.