Conservation Business and Finance Specialist, MNCA

The Conservation Business Specialist works with the Honduras PROPARQUE project, with focus on an effective and sustainable National Protected Areas System, under the auspice of a contract for services that with DAI. This five year long project, funded by USAID, consists in creating conditions to consolidate the Honduran Protected Areas National System. The project focuses on i) economic growth and biodiversity conservation, ii) Biodiversity conservation priority protected areas, including financial mechanisms for conservation (PES, Water funds, Private Sector Alliances for Conservation, etc.); iii) climate change (Clean Energy, Risk Reduction and Vulnerability, REDD+).   DAI and TNC will be working primarily in the second component. Hence, the Conservation Business Specialist will be seated at DAI´s offices and will work directly with TNC and DAI staff.

The Conservation Business Specialist will analyze both public and private existing financial and market based instruments, propose alternative ways to make them more efficient under a vision of sustainability for the national protected areas system. Also, the Conservation Business Specialist will propose new market based instruments to achieve this vision of sustainable development for the system.

Specific responsibilities include:

Economic valuation: Economic valuation of biodiversity or ecosystems will be made for specific cases in which economic valuation will be used as the main argument to modify or create economic instruments for conservation and sustainable development. 

• Economic analysis of public policy. For existing public policies, analysis will be made regarding their contribution to the reach the development goals under this new sustainable vision of the corridor. This will allow identifying which existing policies should be supported and probably modified to be more efficient. But also, which policies should be modified in order to have better conservation impacts. 
• Design of economic instruments. Once the most important economic instruments are identified, the Conservation Business Specialist should propose innovative ways to either make the instrument more efficient, or “green” the existing instrument. Also, it will be the responsibility of the Conservation Business Specialist to propose new economic instruments which may involve public or private stakeholders. 
• Monitoring. A strategy for monitoring the effects of the project´s intervention will be designed. This monitoring should consider biophysical, social and economic variables. Finally, it should be supported on existing monitoring efforts of local stakeholders.
• Training in environmental economics.Coordinate with TNC colleagues across the organization, as well as with other academic bodies to offer training in issues related to environmental economics such as basic concepts of environmental economics, economic valuation, etc.

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or related; and 4 years’ experience in natural resources , economics or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Communications experience including presenting to business leaders, investors, or equivalent; and working in partnership with other organizations.
• Experience with MS Office, Word, Excel and Database management (if required).
• Ability to work with partners/government agencies without violating any restrictions related to conflicts of interest.
• Experience with relational databases and spreadsheet tools.
• Experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects.
• Experience implementing strategic program goals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Natural Resources Management or related; and 4 years’ experience in natural resources, economics or equivalent combination of education and related experience. Master’s degree may be preferred or required.
• General understanding of conservation and development issues, including current trends and practices in conservation; forest, freshwater, marine and coastal management; and livelihood / human welfare issues related to natural resources.
• In-depth understanding of finance issues related to conservation.
• Strong skills and knowledge in the following areas:  developing financial strategies, financial modeling and analysis, and designing financial mechanisms.Working knowledge of current trends in relevant discipline (PES, REDD+ etc).
• Ability to explain conservation finance practices and concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• In-depth understanding of finance issues related to conservation projects.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in both Spanish and English.
• Understanding of and relevant experience in the culture of the country/region.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the business and environmental needs and practices of the pertinent region
• Demonstrated experience in MS Office, Word and Excel. 
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills and the ability to manipulate analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to pull in resources and experiences from across TNC and other partner organizations where and when needed.
• Ability to work within very diverse, matrix-based teams.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines, while delivering quality results.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

To apply to position number 41216, submit resume and cover letter as one document.  All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 7, 2013.

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