Americas & Amazonia Bioeconomy Investment Lead – CI Ventures

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Peru, Colombia, or Brazil (remote)

The Fellowship program hosts conservation Fellows who work to create dynamic and unconventional approaches to address barriers to sustainability and contribute to a shift in how nature is valued and protected. These 2-year fellowships provide unparalleled opportunities for intensive focus and achievement at the intersection of climate, conservation, business, and technology.

As a member of CI’s Fellowship program, the select candidate will have the opportunity to expand the breadth of their professional skills and experience through collaboration with a cohort of exceptional conservation scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, working throughout the institution, with opportunities for co-learning across new areas of study and practice, and personal development. 

CI’s Americas Field Division (AFD) and the Conservation Finance Division (CFD) are seeking an experienced finance professional who can serve as an enabler/facilitator of the CFD portfolio across the Amazonia Bioeconomy. Both divisions have collaborated on a number of programs & mechanisms in the past, however, require the leadership to effectively coordinate and strategically grow this program regionally. This role has been trialed in both Asia Pacific and Africa Field Divisions, with great effect, leading to large coordinated programs of work. Given the momentum in, and focus on, the Amazonia Bioeconomy, now is the perfect opportunity to replicate this role in our Americas Field Division.

This amazing opportunity double-hats building our Amazon Bioeconomy investing program – primarily through CI Ventures – an investment program that provides loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises that operate in the forests, oceans, and grasslands where Conservation International works​ – while also supporting the Americas Field Division with other private sector engagements to deliver an articulated investment strategy for Amazon bioeconomies.

This fellowship aims to achieve the following goals over a two-year period:

• Develop investment opportunities in the Amazonia Bioeconomy, leveraging existing efforts such as the Panamazon Network and other initiatives.
• Develop and lead CI Ventures investment activities in the Americas Field Division, with a primary focus on Amazonia Bioeconomy (including investment transactions, portfolio management, and fundraising).
• Establish a clearly articulated Conservation Finance strategy for Bioeconomy in the Americas, embedded within the AFD strategy as a key delivery tool of AFD priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The CI Ventures (Americas) & Amazonia Bioeconomy Investment Lead will strengthen the links between CI’s Conservation Finance Division and America’s regional program. The role sits within the Americas Field Division and reports to SVP Conservation Finance, with a matrix reporting line to the SVP/Chief Field Officer Americas.

This position will oversee all CI Ventures Bioeconomy activities in the region (whether delivered by regional or global staff) and coordinate with the Americas Management team. Moreover, the position will take an active leadership role in the Amazonia Bioeconomy program, looking at how conservation finance tools can be leveraged to achieve our impact ambitions in this landscape.

The position’s primary focus & responsibilities include two main areas of work:

Develop an Amazonia Bioeconomy Finance Strategy for CI, and the development of related  investment opportunities

• Collaborate with AFD countries and market networks to identify relevant opportunities to mobilise financing at scale for Amazonia Bioeconomy through CFD programs (including SME investment, innovative nature-based business model development, etc).
• Articulate an Amazonia Bioeconomy strategy to guide CFD activities in the region
• Support the development of the PanAmazon Bioeconomy Network; and (potentially leading) the Finance Task Force.
• Contribute to the design of innovative conservation finance mechanisms for the Amazon Bioeconomy in conjunction with CFD teams.
• Contribute to the management of projects in which CI collaborates with the private sector to increase investment in nature.

Management of CI Ventures America’s program

• Manage CIV Americas, with a focus on Amazonia Bioeconomy investments.
• Design and fundraising for an Amazonia Bioeconomy investment window for CI Ventures ($10-$20mn venture philanthropy) and explore return-seeking pathways for CIV in the Americas. Return-seeking vehicles as determined by the market opportunities. $10-$20mn fundraise for a CIV Americas window
• Manage the existing team and portfolio. (approx. 3-4 investments per Investment Officer per year).

Additional Responsibilities

The position requires a high level of interaction across internal divisions and will represent CI externally in interactions with investment and development partners engaged in conservation finance, CI grantees, and implementing partners.

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

This position directly supervises the work of the junior Investment Officer position for the Americas, contributing to CFD’s investing activities and may also supervise new hires in the region or interns.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position will serve for a two-year period as a Fellowship. The Fellowship Program will provide opportunities to expand the breadth of their professional skills and experience through collaboration with a global network of subject matter experts across disciplines. Depending on individual and organizational performance, there is a possibility of the role becoming a full-time, regular employee.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Undergraduate degree plus 10+ years’ experience in, finance, conservation finance, international development, or a related field.
• 5 or more years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of amazon bioeconomies and (preferred) experience working in the Amazonia.
• Understanding of and demonstrated experience in finance and/or business development.
• Strong financial skills with demonstrated ability to negotiate various product offerings including debt, equity, and investment vehicle design.
• Business development and client management track record.
• Experience working and/or traveling in diverse geographies.
• Record of communicating investment information to varied audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and coordination skills.
• Ability to speak and work (deliver presentations, lead discussions, and training) in English and Spanish. Portuguese is desirable.
• Understanding of several pools of capital in the region (corporates, high net worth family offices, banking/ asset management industry, impact investment funds, Global Development and Multilateral Funds.

Preferred

• Postgraduate degree.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.