This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in a WRI Africa Office in eitherNairobi, Kigali or Accra.Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.About the Program:WRI Africa has supported local partners and African governments for over 30 years, focusing on forest protection, landscape restoration, water-resilient development, and sustainable cities.
As a regional office formalized in 2019, WRI Africa's vision is an inclusive transformation where Africa's people and landscapes thrive.
We operate across four strategic pillars: food land and water, thriving and resilient cities, energy, and institutional and economic transformation, working with governments, civil society, indigenous communities, and the private sector to foster a people-centered, climate-responsive development pathway.Aligned with this broader vision, the Restore Local initiative, part of The Audacious Project, supportslocally-ledrestoration efforts, within Kenya's Great Rift Valley, the Lake Kivu andRusiziRiver Basin transboundary between Rwanda, DRC and Burundi and the Ghana Cocoa Belt as its flagship landscapes, through data based approaches for the purpose of enhancing livelihoods and climate change resilience, restoring ecosystem services, mitigating climate change and conserving nature.
As part of its ambition to develop replicable financial mechanisms for durable and equitable land restoration, WRI's seeks to expand its team to include a senior expert to co-develop, structure and coordinate implementation Restore Local's approach to mobilizing buyers of restoration outcomes in the three priority landscapes.Job Highlight:Reporting to theSenior Manager,Land Restoration Programs,youwillplay a critical role in engaging outcome buyers in three key restoration landscapes (Ghana Cocoa Belt, Lake KivuRusiziBasin, and Greater Rift Valley), and supporting funder mobilization efforts for the Global Restoration Initiative.Youwill coordinate Restore Local Monitoring and Learning for adaptive management and support funder mobilization and engagement efforts.You will engagewith many teams within WRI as well as interfacewith key stakeholders and high-level contacts of the Institute.What will you do:Coordinate Outcome-Based Buyer Engagement in Three Restore Local Landscapes (65%):Lead Restore Local's engagements with outcome buyers (government, private sector, investors,land owners, civil society, funders) in the Ghana Cocoa Belt, Lake KivuRusiziRiver Basin, and Kenya's Great Rift Valley landscapesDevelop and implement outcome buyer relationship management approach, based on WRI existing data and team coordination platforms (Asana,Airtable, Slack), working closely with WRI data teams and the Restore Local Invest teamMap potential outcome-based payers in landscapes/with interest in landscapes, in close collaboration with the teams based in these landscapes (government, private sector, investors,land owners, civil society, funders)Work in close collaboration with WRI Invest, Monitor, Motivate and Enable teams to develop inspiring, data rich, context specific communication and engagement materials and strategies for the landscapes per investor categoryBuild and maintain relationships with potential outcome payers, and scope viability of convening outcome buyer alliances in each landscapeFacilitate negotiations and agreements between restoration champions and outcome buyers, ensuring transparency, compliance, and shared value for all parties involvedCoordinate monitoring and verification activities and communications for outcome-based projects, leveragingTerraMatchand other tools to track progress and demonstrate impact to investorsCoordinate Restore Local monitoring for adaptive management and Support Funder Mobilization and Engagements (35%):Support completion of WRI's monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks, ensuring the project theory of change in each landscape is clear, with realistic indicators set that can drive adaptive management of the Restore Local workSupport convening of annual learning and planning team meetingsDevelop proposals and business cases for new restoration projects and financial mechanisms that align with funder priorities and the Global Restoration Initiative's goalsSupport engagement with donors and investors to communicate project impacts, lessons learned, and future funding needs, maintaining WRI's reputation as a reliable partner in restoration finance.What will you need:Education:You have completedabachelor'sdegree infinance, public policy, economics, environmental management, or a similar field.Relevant workexperience in lieu of degree is accepted.Experience:You have 7+yearsoffull-time relevant work experienceinthe field of sustainable private sector development, conservation finance, nature-based solutions or climate change resilienceDemonstrated success in developing financing partnerships and strategies or brokering deals for environmental projects in AfricaExperience with fundraisingDemonstrated success in convening stakeholders from multiple backgrounds with diverse interests around a shared visionExperience working in a multi-disciplinary and intercultural teamDemonstrated written and oral communication skills, with experience communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiencesWilling and able to travel frequently regionally and internationallyLanguages:Written and spoken proficiency in English, with French skills desirableRequirements:Existing work authorization is required where this positionis based.WRI is unable to authorize visa workauthorization.Potential Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
