Project Development Manager, TNC-GCF

Job Description

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 to design transformative projects that support their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change and submit them to the GCF Board for approval. The Project Development Manager, TNC-GCF coordinates the development of TNC-led project proposals to the GCF as a member of the TNC-GCF Unit.

They report to the TNC-GCF Unit Director within the broader External Affairs team, but leverage constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of colleagues, including regional and country programs, global strategy teams, senior management and private sector staff, project implementation partners, and the GCF. The TNC-GCF Project Development Manager will be instrumental in bringing TNC’s experience in climate change mitigation and adaptation, channeling finance through private sector partners, and utilizing various financing instruments, including loans and equity, to the GCF.

Work includes international travel and calls before/after regular working hours. They will 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 that provide benefits to both people and nature, and engaging with public donors is critical to securing lasting conservation outcomes. The work and expertise of The Nature Conservancy’s External Affairs programs are integral to this effort. External Affairs is helping to shape the government policies 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.

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join our Team as the TNC-GCF Project Development Program Manager, which 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 Committee.
• Support 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.
• Coordinate and guide drafting of high quality climate rationale, Theory of Change (ToC), logical framework, investment criteria, budget and procurement plans, and associated documentation.
  Maintain an understanding of, and ensure the integration of current GCF policies into TNC-GCF Proposals to ensure compliance with donor priorities and regulations.
• Liaising with GCF Secretariat to facilitate iterative feedback on concept notes and proposals.
• Manage the development of pre-implementation draft environmental and social safeguards and gender mainstreaming resources that the TNC-GCF Safeguards Coordinators advises on and approves.
• Advise TNC staff at all levels to ensure alignment of project development with institutional priorities and capacities, and ensures project development processes follow the guidance of TNC’s internal GCF Steering Committee;
• Present information to TNC Country programs, government counterparts, and other partners on the GCF funding process, compliance rules, and actively guide potential Executing Entities throughout the project development and implementation cycle.
• Support preparation and execution of project development meetings, 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 both GCF and TNC strategies and policies.
• 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.
• 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 Specialist, Project Oversight Manager, M&E Manager, and other thematic experts to build capacity across the organization.
• Contribute to the development of new training and project management tools for the TNC-GCF Unit.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years related experience.
• Experience in planning and delivering budgetary responsibilities.
• Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience developing, managing and implementing multiple projects and strategic goals.
• Experience working across complex organizations.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Master’s degree.
• At least 5 years of experience developing, managing and implementing multimillion-dollar conservation and climate change projects/programs funded by bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Extensive knowledge of the GCF and demonstrated experience developing successful GCF Funding Proposals.
• Expertise in 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+.
• Approach to conservation project development that centers respect for human rights and the perspectives of local communities and marginalized groups.
• Experience in environmental and social impact assessments, development, and execution of safeguard management plans.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to summarize complex donor program rules and give constructive feedback.
• Ability to analyze and interpret government, multilateral, and organization rules and regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with GCF and TNC staff, government entities, and partners from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Experience with non-grant financial instruments in climate change projects.
• Experience with private-public partnerships and/or engagement with private sector entities to achieve positive climate change outcomes.
• Experience in preparing and analyzing economic and financial analyses for climate change projects.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under time pressure.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to oversee the development of several proposals simultaneously. Demonstrated ability to think critically and synthetically across fields and topics, and to develop and implement effective strategies and tactics for accomplishing assigned duties.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills, including creating and presenting information to a wide variety of stakeholders and partners.
• Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary.
• Proficiency in working independently as well as jointly with colleagues on a team.
• Understanding of best practices in non-profit management.

About the Organization

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become 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, we impact conservation throughout the world!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!