Manager, Durable Conservation and Finance

Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Manager, Durable Conservation and Finance.

The Manager, Durable Conservation and Finance is part of a team that catalyzes long-term, sustainable financing for large-scale conservation areas. The Program Development and Integration (PDI) unit of the Durable Conservation and Finance team is responsible for identifying and developing WWF’s incoming Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) pipeline as part of the Enduring Earth partnership, facilitating pipeline development for partnerships aligned with Enduring Earth, piloting new areas of work, and supporting the integration and success of the wider team.

The Manager is responsible for delivering cross-cutting outcomes for protected and conserved areas across the PDI portfolio. Success in the position depends on collaboration with internal and external experts in PFP, conservation finance, international financial institutions, protected and conserved areas, and others across partnerships and the WWF Network. Manage Viability and Feasibility phases of WWF’s incoming Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) pipeline in close coordination with the Senior Director, Durable Conservation and Finance.

Manage teams conducting PFP pipeline development and advise staff, consultants and/or external partners in exploring new PPF opportunities. Ensure aligned messaging and opportunity exploration across WWF-US, WWF Country Offices, and the WWF Network. Closely collaborate across internal, external, and matrixed teams to enhance opportunities during and across PFP/project phases (Viability and Feasibility) - particularly the Durable Conservation and Finance team, the Nature Finance and Investment team, Goal teams, and Public Sector Partnership teams.

Closely collaborate with colleagues to ensure seamless transitions across PFP phases and best identify, capture, and apply best practices and learnings throughout the PFP pipeline and projects. Strategically advise and bring the best of WWF to partnerships (For example, SPACES) aligned with Enduring Earth under the leadership of the Senior Director, Durable Conservation and Finance. Convene colleagues across WWF to define priorities geographies for deeper collaboration anchored in WWF’s priorities, with emphasis on PFPs, debt deals, and potential other large-scale nature finance opportunities.

Coordinate with and advise WWF Country Offices based on lessons learned from other geographies with a particular focus on assessing and aligning existing and potential finance streams. Contribute to oversight of cross-cutting program functions with staff that operate the entire durable conservation and finance program. Represent WWF at related partnership and large-scale nature finance meetings, external workshops, conferences, and in partnerships to advance our shared goals.

Critical Thinking -
Identifies, interprets, and evaluates relevant data, patterns, and relationships to solve problems, inform decisions, and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations. Can see the big picture and apply expertise to make recommendations and document rationale. Builds productive working relationships in a complex, matrix environment and can calmly address conflict and approach high pressure situations prepared and with emotional intelligence.

A Bachelor’s Degree is required, Advance degree preferred, in a relevant field such as conservation science, international environmental or finance policy, conservation finance, or natural resource economics. Experience with relevant technical areas such as protected and conserved areas, project finance for permanence (PFP), conservation finance, natural resource economics, and/or Indigenous peoples and local communities is preferred. Experience with PFPs or similar large-scale, complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Familiarity with government, private sector, and civil society actors and institutions working on nature and nature finance. Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred, other languages are also useful. Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate and manage tasks across projects and subject matter experts. Excellent project and time management skills. Experience living or working overseas preferred. Experience working within a large and complex organization across geographical, cultural and language boundaries preferred.

Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams. Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone
Relocation is not provided for this position. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.