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Job Description
--Conservation Finance and Policy Officer

Title:Conservation Finance and Policy Officer,
Greater China Project

Supervisor:Greater China Program Director or Senior Advisor, YGRP

Locations:Beijing or Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Date Prepared:December 19, 2001

Summary of Position:

The Conservation Finance and Policy (CFP) Officer contributes to the accomplishment of objectives of the Yunnan Great Rivers Project (YGRP) and The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Greater China program by: (1) identifying opportunities for, developing, and pioneering long term financing mechanisms for conservation at YGRP sites and in China; (2) helping design project proposals for funding from public agencies; (3) developing and maintaining strong relationships with appropriate Chinese government officials in Beijing and Kunming and with bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies that support conservation in China; and (4) serving as the principal liaison between the YGRP and TNC's Asia Pacific Conservation Finance and Policy team.

Duties:

1. Attract financial support for YGRP activities and biodiversity conservation in China, from the Government of China and from bi-lateral government agencies and multi-lateral organizations, including United States and other government agencies, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

  • Develop and maintain professional contacts with appropriate government officials in Beijing and Kunming, and with representatives of these organizations in Greater China and among visiting China representatives.
  • Develop and keep current on understanding program interests in areas related to conservation, and the conservation and natural resources management activities in Greater China supported by these agencies.

  • Understand the requirements for preparing proposals for funding from the range of government, bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies.
  • On this basis, identify specific opportunities, draft proposals for funding from bi-lateral and/or multi-lateral agencies and negotiates as appropriate.
  • Coordinate with the Asia Pacific CFP team on funding proposals for these organizations and on contacts with these agencies' headquarters or regional offices.

    • 2. In close coordination with the Greater China Division Director, YGRP and TNC staff, and field managers, identify, plan, and design conservation financing programs to provide sustainable, long term resources at project sites.

  • Work closely with YGRP and TNC staff to identify good opportunities to employ long term finance mechanisms.
  • Prepare feasibility studies, policy papers, and funding proposals to support site-based finance mechanisms.
  • Conduct discussions with a wide range of stakeholders to gain policy and financial support for such initiatives.
  • Develop an understanding of successful micro-finance and small loan programs in China and elsewhere and help guide this work in the project area.
  • Coordinate closely with the Asia Pacific CFP team to make good use of finance and policly support from TNC staff and programs, especially related to valuation of ecosystem services and natural resource user fees (e.g., water service fees for watershed management, taxes or charges to tourists for protected area management).
  • Identify the need for and prepare terms of reference for short term consultants to assist with these initiatives.

    • 3. With other YGRP and TNC staff, prepare materials and organize workshops and other events to increase awareness about the needs and options for putting in place sustainable, long term finance mechanisms for conservation and natural resource management in Yunnan province.

    4. Represent the YGRP and TNC's programs in China on issues related to conservation financing within the Asia Pacific region-internally within the Conservancy (e.g., as part of a global team of CFP officers) and externally with bi-lateral and multi-lateral funding agencies.

    Entrance Requirements:

    1. A university degree in economics, finance, international relations, conservation, environmental policy and management, sustainable development, or other relevant fields.

    2. At least five years of increasingly responsible experience in a relevant field.

    3. Excellent communications and interpersonal skills in a multi-cultural environment. Fluent speaking and writing in English and Mandarin are required.

    4. Successful experience in working collaboratively as a member of multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams to identify, conceptualize, design, carry out, and evaluate conservation and/or development programs.

    5. Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team. Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize and maintain complex projects in a demanding work environment. Results-oriented and able to work with multiple deadlines.

    6. Experience working with one or more public donor agencies on biodiversity conservation and/or sustainable development programs is desirable.

    7. Proven experience in writing and editing successful proposals, performance reports, and related materials required by bilateral and/or multilateral institutions is desirable.

    8. Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed and to travel on short notice.

    9. Willingness to make a commitment to the goals of TNC and an interest in the preservation of native ecosystems.



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