Sustainable Finance Lead

Founded in 2006, Panthera is devoted to the conservation of the world’s 40 species of wild cats and the vast ecosystems they inhabit. Our team of biologists, data scientists, law enforcement experts and wild cat advocates studies and protects the seven species of big cats: cheetahs, jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, snow leopards and tigers. Panthera also creates targeted conservation strategies for the world’s most threatened and overlooked small cats. With our supporters around the world, we inform the public about the plight of wild cats, help local communities live in harmony with wild cats, protect wild cats and their prey from poaching, fight the illegal wildlife trade and safeguard the precious landscapes wild cats need to survive. Position Summary Under the direction of the Middle East & Asia Hub Director, who also acts as the Sustainable Finance Sub-Committee Chair of the Tiger Conservation Coalition (TCC), the Sustainable Finance Lead will be responsible for developing financial strategies that support tiger conservation initiatives and objectives arising from the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference (SFTLC Bhutan, April 2024), notably to mobilise 1 billion USD additional financing for tiger landscapes by 2034 announced at the Conference. The Tiger Conservation Coalition brings together leading biologists and experts in wildlife crime, human-wildlife coexistence, policy, finance, development, and communications, with unprecedented alignment on achieving tiger conservation at scale. Its member organizations include the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Environmental Investigation Agency; Fauna & Flora; Natural State; Panthera; TRAFFIC; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Wildlife Conservation Society; Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The position will be based in the UAE. Remote locations will also be considered. Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide an outline of a comprehensive sustainable finance strategy and action plan to be approved by the TCC and Finance Sub-Committee Chairs.
• Lead the development of a comprehensive sustainable finance strategy and action plan co-designed by the Tiger Conservation Coalition and in collaboration with conservation and sustainable finance and resource mobilisation experts from Coalition members and other partners to realize the billion-dollar target, ensuring alignment with global tiger conservation goals.
• In conjunction with Coalition member experts, develop a multi-stakeholder strategy to identify large scale financing and funding opportunities for tiger landscapes, through the public, private and philanthropic sectors, including multilateral and bilateral institutions and environmental facilities at regional and local level.
• Identify and scope opportunities for public/private partnerships and blended finance to accelerate and host strategic high-level consultations with the private sector, foundations, public sector partners, and philanthropists to socialize the new strategy and create new funding opportunities for tiger landscapes around key critical tiger conservation challenges .
• Design and implement at least two sustainable financial models and establish a clear monitoring and evaluation process to support the delivery of conservation outcomes.
• Assess and explore innovative mechanisms and models to deliver large scale sustainable financing for tiger landscapes including the recommendations of the Tiger Conservation Coalition-led Conservation Capital consultancy in tiger range states (including Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Nepal) and the Tiger Landscape Investment Fund.
• Support the scoping of further tiger landscapes and develop recommendations for the best opportunities for impactful sustainable financing solutions.
• Support the development of partnership and resource mobilisation materials, case for support and proposals as well as advocacy and communications materials that promote policies and practices that support sustainable financing for conservation.
• Lead technical discussions during TCC meetings and join Working Group meetings as and when required between TCC members.

• Advanced degree in Economics/ Environmental Economics/ Sustainable Development with a strong quantitative profile/ Finance or Conservation Finance.
• At least 7-10 years of work experience in sustainability, sustainable finance or related field, including development/ implementation of sustainable financing mechanisms.
• Prior experience of working with the private sector, including the finance sector, on nature, climate or development finance.
• Experience of working with relevant international partners, including investors.
• Expertise in sustainability reporting .
• A very good understanding of sustainable and innovative financing mechanisms and frameworks.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills in English language, with experience in engaging with government agencies, donors, financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral partner.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills, especially in the field of required expertise.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tough deadlines