Nature Finance Analyst

ABOUT CONSERVATION ALPHA

Conservation Alpha is working to change how conservation is valued, managed, and financed by promoting results-based outcomes as the basis for effective delivery and by catalysing large-scale finance for biodiversity conservation. Conservation Alpha combines rigorous business management practices with robust conservation science and effective management approaches, based on decades of collective experience, to improve the scale and effectiveness of conservation practices. We support our clients to:

1. develop strategic frameworks to guide decision making;
2. measure and verify impact cost-effectively to understand and improve performance;
3. design programmes and governance-management structures to effectively implement change;
4. create innovative, large-scale financing mechanisms to drive change.

Conservation Alpha aims to create a positive work culture where our team works on cutting-edge and highly impactful projects, where individuals are empowered to perform, excited to work, and feel respected. For more information, visit https://www.conservationalpha.com.

POSITION SUMMARY

Conservation Alpha supports our clients to create innovative impact-based financing mechanisms and is seeking a candidate to fulfil the role of Nature Finance Analyst. This role is highly dynamic, given the diversity of potential impact finance products and the broad scope of activities required to take financing products to market. This role will require an individual who has experience in analysing financial propositions and assessing credit risk, and is comfortable building budgets and financial models to present to clients.

The individual should have a working understanding of financial market dynamics, as well as biodiversity conservation and climate related issues. The Nature Finance Analyst will be expected to have strong communication skills (both oral and written) with a range of different stakeholder groups to effectively engage with both the finance and the conservation sectors. A critical skill is to be able to communicate complex information concisely. Experience working within the conservation sector would be preferred.

The Nature Finance Analyst will report to and support the Nature Finance Lead and work closely with the broader team. The Conservation Finance Analyst may also support Conservation Alpha on a range of other projects as required. The position will require occasional travel related to each project and to engage with the market during the design of products. The position offers the opportunity for career and skill development dependent upon the competencies and interests of the successful candidate. This position is based remotely, preferably within South Africa or Kenya.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively with the Conservation Alpha team to perform this role
• Analyse financial data for decision making
• Build out financial models, budgets and presentation materials
• Build out processes to understand the potential impacts and the estimated costs to deliver programmes
• Support the pipeline of projects and partners to reach investment readiness
• Create and manage clear results-based programme and project plans and budgets
• Keep up to date with global conservation issues
• Assist the Nature Finance Lead in project administration to meet client timelines and requirements
• Support the broader range of projects that Conservation Alpha delivers

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Finance related qualification (CA/CFA preferred)
• Two or more years’ experience in analysing financial statements, assessing credit risk
• Experience in building presentations, charts and models
• Experience in presenting technical information
• The ability to effectively communicate complex financial concepts to a range of technical and nontechnical stakeholders, including conservation practitioners, community leaders, investors, market representatives, and colleagues
• Experience in preparing high quality, visually appealing, clear presentations
• Experience in performing due diligence preferable
• Right to work in country of residence and reliable internet access

NECESSARY COMPETENCIES

• Experience in the development of impact-based investment strategies preferable
• Working knowledge of environmental issues, including climate change and biodiversity conservation
• Financial analysis and risk management skills
• Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups, across both the conservation and finance sectors
• Strong project management skills to deliver projects on time and within budget
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively within an internal and external team
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Self-motivation, capacity to learn new skills, and the ability to work independently