Role Purpose

The Manager, Nature Programme role will:

• Manage the delivery of FSD Africa’s work on nature-related finance within the context of FSD Africa’s strategy and the Risk & Resilience Pillar’s focus, ensuring that the programme results in meaningful real-sector outcomes.
• Co-ordinate the roll-out of Risk & Resilience’s nature-related risk projects so that results are achieved, timelines are managed, and quality projects are delivered; ensuring that ongoing learning from projects is fully utilized to maximise impact and innovation.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications plan for the nature-related finance project portfolio; ensuring that the outcome is extensive awareness-building, engagement around topics of resilience financing, portfolio risk analysis & proactive tracking of environmental risk, and behavioural changes of stakeholders in both private and public spheres.
• Provide programme and operational management support to the Director, Risk & Resilience as required in support of the Pillar’s nature finance strategy and programming.

Duties and Responsibilities

Nature-Based Risk Management Strategy and Programming

Manage the delivery of FSD Africa’s work on nature-related risk and opportunity within the context of FSD Africa’s strategy and the Risk & Resilience Pillar’s focus, ensuring that the programme results in meaningful real-sector outcomes:

• Scope out existing research (and undertake additional research if agreed upon), to gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of how to catalyse finance to better manage and transfer nature-related risk and develop nature-related opportunity.
• Share learnings associated with strategy development and programming with the broader FSD Africa organisation and partners (incl. the FSD Africa Green Working Group).
• Support broader fundraising efforts underway across FSD Africa, including through co-drafting applications with the Fundraising Committee and Pillar Heads, offering perspectives on where nature-related ‘angles’ could be incorporated into proposals, and developing project concepts with consortia of partners as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the Development Impact function to devise and manage results measurement and learning frameworks that will yield important insights into the development of effective long-term strategies, approaches, and interventions.

Project Origination and Planning

Assist the Lead, Natural Capital in developing a portfolio of nature-related projects and implementing partners which will collectively be effective in driving impact and systemic change:

• Identify and select potentially impactful implementing partners, supporting them where necessary through the due diligence process (including the development & signing of MOUs/contracts).
• Collaborate with implementing partners and relevant technical experts to develop project proposals that comply with Investment Committee standards.
• Ensure that all staff, consultants and implementing partners involved in nature-related projects are fully briefed concerning expectations; especially on project milestone targets, quality standards, data collection/reporting, and compliance with accountability requirements.
• Develop detailed implementation plans, budgets and cash-flow forecasts that will ensure project success – where necessary, address nature-related capacity gaps of partners.

Project Implementation

Co-ordinate the roll-out of Risk & Resilience’s nature-related risk projects so that results are achieved, timelines are managed, and quality projects are delivered; ensuring that ongoing learning from projects is fully utilised to maximise impact and innovation. The position holder must particularly index towards exceptional program management skills with a demonstrated ability to organise multiple tasks effectively.

• Work with implementing partners to assist them in disseminating messaging and deliverables according to the project plans, maintaining strategic clarity, focusing on impact, and with a collaborative approach.
• In case of an implementing partner having challenges, provide analytical support, or organize the provision of support to ensure project success.
• Co-develop and engage other FSD Africa Pillars as appropriate in other nature-related work, including, but not limited to, debt sustainability analysis, digital/data generating projects and enabling infrastructure, development impact-linked research, communications and advocacy campaigns, and guiding nature and biodiversity related investments.
• Review the Quarterly monitoring and evaluation reports for any allocated projects and take appropriate action based on results and analysis:
• If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in,’ focusing on applying leverage, replication of the project, and scaling.
• If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/approach.
• Identify, report on, and mitigate project risks in a timely manner (project delivery and partnership management).

Communicating for Impact

Actively participate in the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications plan for the nature-related risk management project portfolio; ensuring that the outcome is extensive awareness-building, engagement around topics of resilience financing, portfolio risk analysis & proactive tracking of environmental risk, and behavioural changes of stakeholders in both private and public spheres:

• Manage relationships with key sponsors including TNFD, HMG DEFRA & FCDO, consultants, financial institutions, and public stakeholders such as Finance Ministries and Regulatory bodies, engaging in advocacy for nature-related action, building stakeholder awareness and aiming to influence policy at the highest levels of public-sector decision-making.
• Consult and collaborate with the Risk & Resilience Pillar and Strategic Communications team to identify how stakeholders need to be influenced to support the success of interventions for nature-related risk management; this may include a need to advocate for legislative/policy reform or to incentivize (or some other supporting mechanism) greater action amongst potential beneficiaries for mindset change.
• Work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications team and Development Impact function to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact, and this impact is articulated.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Communications agenda (e.g., by developing content for written materials – blogs, editorials, op-eds, contributing to content development on our website; participating in advocacy campaigns, attending conferences and events etc.).
• Support the successful participation at in-person events associated with the green and nature-related agenda (e.g., COPs, London Climate Action Week, Africa Climate Week, Ministerial meetings, African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development etc.) and taking ownership of key communications artefacts required.
• Participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports, including our publicly facing strategy documents and impact assessments.

Director Support

Provide programme and operational management support to the Director, Risk & Resilience as required in support of the Pillar’s strategy and programming.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications and Education

• Superior quality bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications preferred.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least 6 years of professional experience in projects management across multiple countries and institutions in Africa.
• Experience working in a complex and pioneering environment.
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing stakeholders in the financial sector in Africa; good influencing/ interpersonal skills
• Good level of project management skills and experience of implementing projects with timeframes of 2-5 years
• Track record of effectively managing people; including ability to motivate and coordinate teams.
• Ability to engage & influence convincingly at a senior management level.
• Ability to manage a project using digital platforms or tools to communicate; ability to manage data/ documentation electronically.
• Ability to manage project portfolio with middle-level budget.
• Excellent written & spoken English

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge and conceptual understanding of environmental risks (and associated topics) & application to international development / financial market systems development
• Experience working with donors, including knowledge of donor policies and procedures.
• Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects
• Second language French

Duties and Responsibilities

Risk and Resilience Programming

• Contribute towards FSD Africa’s approach to supporting financial markets to deliver resilience to systemic risks by identifying high potential projects:
• In collaboration with the Results pillar, review lessons learned from previous, relevant projects, use the results to inform the development of strategies, instruments, and approaches.
• Participate in the Risk and Resilience’s research agenda; developing and understanding of the ecosystem, as well as needs and requirements of stakeholders and how to leverage beneficial change.
• Participate in the development and testing of Theories of Change for the Risk and Resilience programme, aligned to the overall FSD Africa strategy.
• Work collaboratively with the Results Pillar to devise and manage results measurement and learning frameworks that will yield important insights into the development of effective long-term interventions.

Project Implementation

Coordinate the roll-out of a delegated portfolio of Risk and Resilience projects so that results are achieved, risks are managed, and quality projects are delivered; ensuring that ongoing learning from projects is fully utilised to maximise impact and innovation:

• Work with Implementing Partners (IPs) to assist them in implementing their projects according to the project plan:
• Organise a regular schedule of visits to the IP for both self and members of other pillars as appropriate (Finance, Results)
• Address delivery shortfalls with a coaching style in the first instance
• Negotiate assertively, with the administration of consequences, in case of persistent failure to deliver.
• Provide technical assistance, or organise the provision of support, to IPs (includes supporting IPs to provide data for MRM, Learning and Grant accountability data)
• Review the Monthly and Quarterly Development Impact Reports and take appropriate action based on results and analysis:
• If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowing in
• If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/ approach
• Identify and mitigate project risks in a timely manner (project delivery and partnership management)

Communicating for Impact

Drive innovation in Risk and Resilience through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication strategies:

• When developing project plans for Risk and Resilience, consult and collaborate with the Advocacy and Communications team to identify how stakeholders need to be influenced to support the success of the intervention; for instance, advocating for policy reform or stimulating market demand amongst potential beneficiaries.
• Work collaboratively with the Advocacy and Communications team to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Communication strategy (e.g., by organising events, developing content for written materials/website, participating in campaigns etc.); participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports
• Represent FSD Africa in public forums and networking opportunities; always behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand and values

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications and Education

• Superior quality bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications preferred.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least 6 years of professional experience managing projects preferably in a field relevant to financial risk market development across multiple countries and institutions, including in Africa.
• Systemic understanding of risk management and transfer sector at a country or regional level
• Experience working in a complex and pioneering environment.
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing stakeholders in the financial sector in Africa; good influencing/ interpersonal skills
• Good level of project management skills and experience of implementing projects with timeframes of 2-5 years
• Track record of effectively managing people; including ability to motivate and coordinate teams.
• Ability to manage a project using digital platforms or tools to communicate; ability to manage data/ documentation electronically.
• Ability to manage project portfolio with middle-level budget.
• Excellent written & spoken English

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to engage & influence convincingly at a senior management level.
• Good communication and relationship building skills.
• Experience working with donors, including knowledge of donor policies and procedures.
• Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects
• Second language French

Duties and Responsibilities

Build a Network of Innovation Partners

Lead the development of a diversified database of potential partners, across multiple industries within the African FinTech ecosystem. Each partner category should support one or more of the platform activities/initiatives.

• Define the priorities of each partner category and design win-win activities/initiatives that contribute to FSD Africa objectives while being aligned to the needs of that category of partners.
• Carry out initial ecosystem mapping of potential platform partners and users in selected markets to gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of the needs and requirements of ecosystem stakeholders.
• Actively manage the relationships with all partners and drive their engagement with both the platform and the initiatives, such as BimaLab – an insurtech accelerator and ecosystem-building initiative.
• Work collaboratively with the Digital Economy pillar and FSD Africa Investments to contribute to the achievement of their relevant objectives.

Project Origination and Design

Identify and develop a coherent pipeline of activities which will collectively be effective in stimulating digital financial innovation in the insurance industry in Africa.

• Design a series of activities and initiatives that aim at developing a pipeline of InsurTech start-ups, facilitate partnerships with incumbent insurance companies, contribute to growing investment flow into InsurTech start-ups, improve market awareness of InsurTechs role in improving resilience, engaging regulators and other government agencies with the InsurTech ecosystem in Africa.
• Ensure that all staff, consultants, and activity partners involved in a project are fully briefed concerning expectations; especially on project milestone targets, quality standards, data collection/reporting and compliance with accountability requirements.
• Develop detailed activity implementation plan and budget and address capacity gaps of partners, especially around open innovation.

Project Implementation

• Co-ordinate the roll-out of digital innovation activities so that results are achieved, risks are managed, and quality outputs are delivered; ensuring that ongoing learning from projects is fully utilised to maximise impact and innovation:
• Work with activity partners to assist them in implementing their projects according to the agreed project plans, maintaining a strategic clarity, focus on impact, and collaborative approach.
• In case of an activity partner having challenges, provide technical assistance, or organise the provision of support to ensure activity pilot /launch success.
• Develop and share periodical reports and updates on project implementation and take appropriate action based on results and analysis:
• If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in’, focusing on applying leverage, replication of the activity, and scaling.
• If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/approach.
• Identify, report on and mitigate project risks in a timely manner (project delivery and partnership management).

Communicating for Impact

Actively participate in the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications plan for all platform digital innovation initiatives within the context of the Risk & Resilience Pillar’s communications approach; ensuring that the approach will result in extensive awareness-building, engagement around topics of InsurTech digital ecosystem building, accelerating innovation within insurance industry , growing the platform partner and user database, strategic partnerships established, behavioural changes of ecosystem stakeholders in both private and public spheres and created measurable impact .

• Consult and collaborate with the Risk & Resilience Pillar and Strategic Communications team to identify how stakeholders need to be influenced to support the success of digital innovation activities/ initiatives; this may include a need to advocate for legislative/policy reform or to incentivise (or some other supporting mechanism) greater action amongst potential beneficiaries for mindset change.
• Work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications team and Development Impact function to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact, and this impact is articulated.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Communications plan. This will include managing and hosting events, developing content for written materials (blogs, editorials, op-eds, contributing to content development on our website), participating in advocacy campaigns, attending conferences and events etc.
• Participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports, including our publicly facing strategy documents and impact assessments.
• Represent FSD Africa in public forums and networking opportunities, always behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand, values, policies, and protocols.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications and Education

• Superior quality bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
• Professional qualification and relevant accreditations
• Postgraduate degree in a relevant field (Actuarial Sciences, Information Technology, Project Management, Development Studies, - Public Policy, Finance, or other relevant fields). Is desirable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years’ post-graduation experience of working in a field relevant to innovation preferably in the financial industry, telecommunications industry or information technology industry across multiple countries and institutions, including in Africa.
• Experience in driving engagement and building community through an online platform.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative and trusted relationships with implementing partners, private-sector players and government & public agency counterparts.
• Excellent knowledge and conceptual understanding of the financial industry sectors and technology applications/use cases targeting financial industry.
• Demonstrated track record of rigorous project management skills and achievement of results across interconnected and complicated workstreams (with preference for experience managing digital innovation function or related projects).
• Demonstrated skills in managing large budgets, managing risk and ensuring value for money; ability to manage large project portfolios across multiple countries.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate the work of internal colleagues and oversee external suppliers and providers.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with an ability to engage effectively with Senior Management.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Previous experience of working in donor-funded projects, preference for those funded through UK aid.