Director of International Finance

For 50 years, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been protecting the future of nature. The world's leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

Position Overview: 

World Wildlife Fund is seeking an experienced and ambitious Director of International Finance to help shape WWF's impact in the finance sector. This position will service two important dimensions of WWF's work within the sector: Building out the domestic capacity of the WWF-US office to engage with the finance sector and leading international work on soft commodities and finance through WWF's Market Transformation Initiative (MTI).

MTI comprises a virtual team of commodity specialists with two hubs of concentration (Holland and the US) and a growing number of commodity teams working in the following key producing regions and countries: Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, and China (BRIIC).

This person will also be responsible for managing, mentoring and building the capacity of direct hires in both the US markets and MTI programs. The Director will manage a small team that is expected to grow to 5-6 individuals over the next few years.

The Director will report to the Managing Director, International Finance, and MTI Director, and will work widely across different programs and initiatives in the WWF network. This will be a one-year post initially with potential for renewal.

Responsibilities:

The Director of International Finance will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

• Review and update the annual strategy and work plans and lead the coordination and implementation of finance sector work domestically and internationally: 
• • WWF-US Finance Program: Review the current strategy and consider how best to scale engagement with US financial institutions, both to influence business practice and to generate revenue flow for the program.
  • MTI: Work with MTI to assist in developing a major new initiative that aims to scale up delivery and impact of WWF's market work in BRIIC economies and engage the finance sector and WWF offices in these regions.
• Provide continuing support to the WWF-US Finance Program offices (US, Latin America) and MTI BRIIC regional offices as they engage with financial institutions.
• Develop and expand cooperation with financial institutions, national authorities, academic institutions, government & aid agencies, NGOs, international organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to promote and leverage WWF's interests.
• Manage the budget, plan and deliver spend targets, and work with the Managing Directors and others to develop and achieve a fundraising strategy to secure long-term funding.
• Work with US Finance program and MTI to define research needs and priorities and manage third-party research on finance and commodities, including the development of business case studies for our finance sector partners and wider finance sector institutions that are engaged in soft commodity businesses.
• Provide input to media and communications materials in relation to commodity finance and other WWF issues, as well as the WWF Commodity Update quarterly newsletter.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• At least 10 years relevant experience in the finance sector or a related position
• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or the environment, MBA or other relevant master's degree highly preferred
• Superior management, negotiation, and communication skills, with a proven ability to define and defend priorities
• Experience working with virtual and/or international teams highly desirable
• Ability to analyze sustainability issues, effectively communicate these to financial institutions and other stakeholders, and forge new partnerships
• Strong coordination, teamwork, and excellent interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English required, fluency in an additional language preferred
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Dynamic, creative, and outgoing personality with a proven commitment to nature conservation

Compensation: World Wildlife Fund offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. This position will be based in the US (Washington, DC) with international travel (US domestic and international travel between 60-80 days per year). This will be a one-year post initially with potential for renewal.

To Apply:

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must follow this link to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements. CEA Recruiting is assisting World Wildlife Fund with this search. Please direct all applications and inquiries to CEA Recruiting. This position will remain open until filled.  

World Wildlife Fund is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit CEA.