Head, Environmental Finance

Purpose of the Position:

• Leverage Hong Kong's position as an international financial center to originate and arrange bankable projects with environmental and/or conservation impact, either directly or via capital markets, with funding sourced from private and/or public institutions
• Engage with institutional investors, lenders, underwriters, and finance sector influencers in Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific to improve their integration of environmental risks and opportunities, guiding their decisions and actions taken to contribute to environmental and conservation outcomes

Major Roles and Responsibilities:

• Managing the team: Coordinating and leading the team and its initiatives and its reporting against measurable outcomes and impact:

• DFCD Origination Facility regional oversight and support: support DFCD lead in partnership with WWF-NL and collaborating with other WWF offices to oversee the development, funding, monitoring and reporting for bankable projects (with conservation impact) across Asia and within selected landscapes

• Bankable Nature Solutions (non-DFCD) local/regional oversight and support: support SNS lead and work together with conservation teams from WWF-HK and WWF's other Asia offices to develop and secure bankable projects; in addition, work with the WWF-HK Corporate Partnerships/Development team to create a WWF-HK-led origination facility for incubating and funding bankable projects and building capacity

• Environmental Bonds Initiative oversight and support: support EBI lead and work with WWF France on WWF lNT's global initiative to implement an environmental bond strategy for WWF HK that will ensure the Hong Kong financial system is moving to be more environmentally oriented and aligned with international and local climate targets

• Portfolio Alignment oversight and support: support PA lead and engage with Hong Kong-based financial institutions to advocate for the aligning of their lending/underwriting/ investment portfolios with positive environmental and climate objectives

• Climate Impact Asia Fund Representative and attend the fund's Investment Advisory Committee meeting and give advice

• Fundraising lead for team: Responsible for the team's project concept proposals, securing financial commitments, and delivering ROI

• Finance Practice Focal Point for WWF HK: work closely with Network focal points and WWF INT core team members

• Environmental Finance spokesperson: Attend paid and non-paid events; deliver presentations, speak on panels and act as media spokesperson as necessary

Working Relationships:

• Liaise on a day-to-day basis with WWF HK, regional, and global conservation staff, WWF HK and global fundraising teams, and communications teams both locally and globally in order to develop and deliver project concept proposals, secure financial commitments, and deliver ROI
• Build and maintain contacts with key stakeholder groups in the course of developing and implementing initiatives

Required Functional Skills:

• Minimum 10 years of capital markets-related working experience in the front-office of an investment bank or asset manager; development, commercial bank or insurance experience will also be considered
• Experience in sustainable finance/blended finance, nature based solutions, climate finance projects is highly preferred.
• Strong relationships within the financial industry, particularly across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Strong understanding of equity and/or debt products as well as a broad understanding of financial markets and analysis
• Experience managing a team of senior and highly capable staff
• Familiarity with and ability to establish strong networks with diverse stakeholders, including government, industry, investors, foundations, and public donors.
• Degree holder in finance, economics, accounting or related disciplines, or equivalent experience. Masters, CFA/CPA qualification is a plus.
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Capabilities in one or more Asian languages is a plus

Required Behavioural Skills:

• Demonstrates a strong passion and perseverance for conservation and the environment.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills
• Proven ability to motivate, influence both internally and externally and work closely with other teams in co-creating projects and meeting ROI.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply Now’ with your full resume and cover letter highlighting your motivation to apply for the job and what makes you a good fit for us, together with your present & expected salary and available date. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

WWF, the World Wide Fund for Nature, a non-profit organization, headquartered in Switzerland, is one of the world’s most recognizable and respected independent conservation organisations.

To find out more about us, please visit our website at wwf.org.hk now.