Convergence - Design Funding Windows open!

Asia Natural Capital Design Funding Window is accepting proposals until February 11

The Asia Natural Capital Design Funding Window provides grant funding for the design and launch of catalytic blended finance solutions focused on natural capital in Asia. This Window is funded by the RS Group, a family office based in Hong Kong.

This Window will support blended finance solutions that find new ways to enhance and protect the world's stock of natural assets, including water, land, soil, air, plants and animals, by attracting private investment at scale. For example, solutions could be aimed at:

• Protecting biodiversity

• Reducing ecosystem degradation (e.g. deforestation)

• Mitigating and adapting to climate change

• Reducing unsustainable use of land and oceans

• Restoring and rehabilitating impaired terrestrial, coastal and aquatic ecosystems

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 Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window closes its current cycle for applications on February 18

The Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window provides grant funding for the design and launch of catalytic blended finance solutions in certain countries in the Indo-Pacific region focused on sustainable and resilient infrastructure and/or gender equality (sector agnostic).

This Window is funded by the Australian Government.

Short-Term Consultancy Opportunity: Feasibility assessment of blue carbon to inform WCS’s approach in the Southeast Asian Archipelago - SEAA - region

WCS seeks a consultant to conduct a feasibility assessment of the potential for blue carbon as an additional incentive to protect coastal ecosystems in SEAA and as a source of revenue to support sustainable financing of marine and coastal management.

Job Opportunity: TNC is looking for a Global Director of Durable Protection

This is an exciting decade to be a part of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as we rapidly expand the representative, effective, and durable protection of biodiversity and living carbon reserves, through unprecedented collaborations and powerful, permanent deal structures. These innovative deal structures include private transactions of lands and waters and resource rights, debt conversion initiatives, and Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) approaches, all with the goal of durable and lasting protection for nature while providing community development benefits for people. Working in partnership with global to local governments, indigenous partners and local communities, and other NGOs, the Global Director, Durable Protection Strategies will continue to innovate and scale-up these protection approaches. They will lead multi-stakeholder participatory conservation and financial planning, establish long-term sustainable financing, and secure approval and buy-in by all stakeholders to ensure that terrestrial, freshwater and marine conservation can endure in perpetuity. Building on TNC’s legacy of establishing the first two PFPs globally (Great Bear Rainforest and Forever Costa Rica), the Director will grow and oversee a program focused on advancing PFP and other innovative finance opportunities within TNC’s priority areas and galvanizing TNCs technical, political, and philanthropic resources in support of the initiatives. They will also play a leadership role in a new, large-scale, multi-NGO Partnership to accelerate the pace and implementation of PFPs and will ensure TNC’s effective participation in that collaboration. The Director will report to the Global Managing Director, Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters and as an inspirational leader and skilled supervisor, will build and support a team to advance our Durable Protection work. They build relationships and work across The Nature Conservancy to advance these deals from concept to closing and implementation. The location for this position is negotiable within countries where TNC is an already established entity (existing TNC office).

Job Opportunity: CBF is seeking a Program Officer for its EbA Facility

The CBF seeks a Program Officer with a proven record of success in addressing climate change adaptation and conservation challenges. The Officer will provide the program support required to effectively implement the strategic agenda of the EbA Facility, and will work closely with, and report to, the EbA Facility Program Manager.

IUCN World Conservation Congress New Dates

The IUCN Council is pleased to inform you that, in consultation with the Host Country, the new dates for the IUCN Congress 2020 will be from the 3 to 10 September 2021.

Practice Standards for Conservation Trust Funds

The CFA is proud to release the new report "2020 Practice Standards for Conservation Trust Funds".

Building on the original edition produced in 2014 by Barry Spergel and Kathleen Mikitin, these voluntary Practice Standards for Conservation Trust Funds serve as a tool for improving the design, management, and monitoring and evaluation of CTFs. CTFs and their donors can decide to use, aspire to, or adapt the Practice Standards to fit their particular needs. It is hoped that they will also continue to serve as a basis for greater harmonization of international donor rules, standards, and policies for CTFs, resulting in lower transaction costs and greater conservation impact.

Authors: Authors: Paquita Bath, Viviana Luján Gallegos, and Amílcar Guzmán Valladares

Read more about the project here

Job Opportunity: WWF is seeking a consultant with experience in designing CTF

World Wildlife Fund is seeking a consultant with experience in designing Conservation Trust Funds that include grant-based and concessionary investment programs to design a fund that will accelerate the uptake of sustainable natural rubber in the global marketplace. The consultant will assess levels of interest and potential roles of stakeholders, analyze fundraising potential from a range of donors, and explore options for finance instruments including blended finance and standard grants.  The analysis will be presented in a comprehensive document that provides clear (turn-key) instructions for a 3rd party to establish the Rubber Trust Fund (RTF). Deadline for application is January 22, 2021.

To apply, please send a cover letter detailing the consultant’s relevant previous experience, proposed approach to the assignment, and CV to michael.stuewe@wwfus.org and amy.smith@wwfus.org by January 22, 2021. Applications from teams will be considered but we will preference applications from consultants working alone.

Download the Terms of Reference below

Job Opportunity: Senior Program Officer GEF Project Agency - 21016 (WWF)

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Senior Program Officer (SPO) for the WWF GEF Project Agency. The SPO oversees/leads project development and implementation as a member of the WWF GEF Agency and engages WWF offices, governments and partners around Global Environmental Facility (GEF) opportunities.

This position: (i) coordinates with and guides project development teams developing WWF GEF concepts and projects, to ensure quality and compliance with WWF and GEF policy, (ii) plays an oversight and project compliance role for WWF GEF projects in implementation, and (iii) contributes to WWF GEF Agency strategy and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Project Scoping and Development: Oversee and guide planning, process, and development of WWF GEF projects and programs through GEF project cycle in coordination with WWF offices, governments, GEF Secretariat, and other key partners; Provide strategic GEF and technical guidance for successful project design; Coordinate and ensure compliance of WWF and GEF standards throughout project development

• Implementation: Supervise and provide implementation support of WWF GEF projects in coordination with WWF offices, governments, and other key partners; Support project teams in adaptive management, troubleshooting, reporting, and other implementation management duties; Coordinate and ensure compliance of WWF and GEF standards throughout project implementation; Complete GEF Agency project reporting

• Representation: Represent WWF GEF Agency at internal and external meetings including project and program steering committee meetings/missions, as well as trainings, workshops, and key international events; Active participation in GEF Secretariat task forces and other ad hoc committees

• Coaching: Coach WWF Network, government, and other key partners in understanding of GEF institutions, policies, procedures and tools for the development of transformative ideas into WWF GEF projects and programs in line with GEF priorities

• WWF GEF Agency Support: Build overall effectiveness and operation of the WWF GEF Agency by contributing to guidance notes and templates, as necessary

• Build relationship with GEF Secretariat and other key GEF stakeholders

• Other duties as assigned.

Webinar: Conservation Trust Funds

Closing The Gap: Financing and Resourcing of Protected and Conserved Areas in Eastern and Southern Africa

Following the successful launch of the report Closing the Gap - Financing and Resourcing of Protected and Conserved Areas, partners including the IUCN, World Commission on Protected Areas and Conservation International invite you to this event on Conservation Trust Funds as a means to increase revenue, enhance sustainability and improve management efficiency.

When: December 9th, 15:30 EAT
RSVP: Required

Speaking on the panel is our very own Katy Mathias!

Please register below!

Short-term consultancy: SeyCCAT

Business Plan Development for The Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)

The Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) is an independent, public-private
trust fund currently managing more than US$ 25 million. SeyCCAT strategically invests in ocean
stakeholders to generate new learning, bold action and sustainable blue prosperity in the Seychelles.

SeyCCAT was originally established in 2015 to manage the US$ 21.6 million innovative debt restructure between the Government of Seychelles and the Paris Club of creditors, supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Under the debt conversion, the Government of Seychelles committed to improved policies and investment around marine conservation and climate change, most notably the development of a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for a 1.35-million-km2 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including the protection of 30% of the EEZ. SeyCCAT provides additional support for the MSP process through grants and human resources management services.

There is an immediate need for SeyCCAT to develop a business plan in light of recent institutional growth, as well as investigate appropriate financing frameworks under which it can best complement the Government of Seychelles MSP and Blue Economy development.

The SeyCCAT is seeking a consultant or consultants to develop the following:

I. SeyCCAT Business Plan;

II. MPA Financing Plans for two Seychelles MPAs developed under the recent national MSP

initiative; and

III. Design one Blue Finance Pilot Project, connecting blue finance to MPA management within one of the selected MPA sites as defined in the MPA Finance Plan.