Sustainable Finance Lead, ROC 19 views0 applications

Location: Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Reports to: Technical Director, WCS Republic of Congo

Position Type: Full-time, permanent

Position Overview

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks an experienced and highly capable Sustainable Finance Advisor to support the WCS Republic of Congo (ROC) Country Program. The position will focus on the development and implementation of sustainable finance initiatives that support national conservation priorities and long-term financing mechanisms for biodiversity protection. These may include, for example, the establishment or strengthening of conservation trust funds, results-based or performance-linked financing arrangements, carbon finance programs, payments for ecosystem services, wildlife-based tourism, or other private or public-sector and blended finance instruments intended to generate long-term funding for conservation.

The Sustainable Finance Advisor will serve as a senior technical resource embedded within the ROC Country Program, leading engagement with government counterparts and other stakeholders on the design, coordination, and implementation of complex financial mechanisms linked to conservation outcomes. The role will also support institutional arrangements and implementation frameworks intended to channel and manage conservation finance over the long term.

The position is based full time in Brazzaville and will work closely with national counterparts, regional and global WCS teams, and selected external technical advisers.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordination of Sustainable Finance Initiatives
  1. Serve as a core in-country technical advisor supporting the development and implementation of sustainable finance initiatives linked to national conservation priorities and policies.
  2. Ensure coordination with relevant government institutions, including ministries responsible for finance, forestry, and environment, on the design and implementation of conservation-linked financial mechanisms.
  3. Act as a technical interlocutor with external financial and advisory partners engaged in sustainable finance initiatives.
  4. Coordinate the preparation of workplans, budgets, and technical documentation related to sustainable finance activities, working in close collaboration with regional and global WCS teams.
  5. Provide technical input on conservation objectives, performance frameworks, and institutional arrangements associated with sustainable finance mechanisms.
  6. Work to create internal alignment within WCS across country, regional, global, markets, and legal teams.
  7. Helps ensure integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into financial strategies, investment decisions, and risk management frameworks.
• Implementation Support and Institutional Engagement
  1. Support the establishment and operationalization of institutional mechanisms intended to manage and deploy conservation finance at national or sub-national level, such as independent funds or similar entities.
  2. Advise on governance, programming priorities, and implementation arrangements to support effective delivery of conservation outcomes.
  3. Support WCS engagement with government counterparts to promote effective implementation, transparency, and alignment with agreed conservation objectives.
  4. Contribute to monitoring, learning, and adaptive management related to sustainable finance initiatives, in coordination with relevant WCS teams.
• Government and Stakeholder Relations
  1. Maintain strong working relationships with government counterparts and key national stakeholders involved in sustainable finance and conservation.
  2. Represent WCS in relevant technical meetings, working groups, and advisory fora related to sustainable finance and conservation financing.
  3. Facilitate effective communication and coordination between WCS, government partners, and external advisers.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in finance, economics, environmental studies, conservation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable finance, sovereign or public-sector finance, conservation finance, or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated experience working on complex financial mechanisms at national or sub-national scale, ideally linked to public-sector or government-led processes.
• Strong understanding of conservation objectives and the institutional and financial mechanisms required to deliver conservation outcomes at scale.
• Proven experience engaging with government counterparts at senior technical or policy levels.
• Experience working in Central Africa strongly preferred; experience in the Republic of Congo considered a significant asset.
• Fluency in French required; professional working proficiency in English required.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder and politically sensitive environments.

How to apply

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications, skills, and experience are encouraged to apply via the application tab below. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.