WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Impact Finance & Markets division (IFM) at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) provides technical and strategic leadership to create transformational impact with the private sector by translating the value of nature and conservation approaches into actionable, science-based strategies that can help solve societal challenges. The Sustainable Debt Team (a sub-team of IFM) collaborates with TNC's global conservation teams and country offices to help achieve TNC's 2030 goals by structuring and implementing sovereign debt solutions that generate new funding for conservation and enable governments to make and achieve ambitious conservation policy commitments, such as in the 2021 Blue Bond in Belize and the 2022 Blue Bond in Barbados.

The Sustainable Debt Associate will be a core member on several multidisciplinary transaction deal teams working to develop and implement sovereign debt transactions focused on conservation outcomes. They will engage in all aspects of deal origination, structuring, and negotiation, as well as internal approvals, capital raising, and investor relations. Key responsibilities shall also include developing flexible and transparent financial models (including the incorporation of credit enhancements and blended finance), performing due diligence and risk assessments, drafting internal and external information memoranda, and structuring and closing deals. The initial focus of the position will be to support senior transaction leads (Director level) and contribute to the entire deal development and closing process, with the aim of eventually taking ownership over specific transactions with Director or Managing Director oversight. The Associate will generally be supported by an Analyst and/or Project Coordinator on each deal team.

The Sustainable Debt Associate will report to the Managing Director, Sustainable Debt. Eligible location for this position are Arlington, VA, USA . Currently, the Team has a hybrid working model: two days in the office and three days remotely.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Sustainable Debt Associate will be involved with transactions under TNC's Nature Bonds Program from initial scoping to final negotiations and financial close.. The Associate will collaborate with staff across The Nature Conservancy, including Sustainable Debt Team Directors and Project Managers, Regional and Country Directors, Global Protect, Climate, and other central teams, government relations associates, lead scientists, and senior management, as well as partner organizations, such as multilateral and bilateral institutions, capital market investors, investment banks, and national governments. The Associate will bring sophisticated business, financial, credit, and economic analysis, and structured finance expertise, including financial modeling, pitch deck creation, credit/information and internal approval memorandum drafting experience, due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiation skills to the design and implementation of this work. They will approach all work with a spirit of collaboration and respect for colleagues and partners across geographies, cultures, and subject matter expertise.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Assists the origination and closing of multiple sovereign debt transactions (each expected to be $250+ MM) with oversight by Sustainable Debt Directors.
• Develops content for internal and external audiences including but not limited to decks, project briefs, term sheets, and risk assessments.
• Develops, audits, and maintains complex financial models.
• Supports communications and relationship management with financial institutions, credit enhancers, and other external partners.
• Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure the work is strategically aligned and well-integrated across the organization.
• Participates in negotiations of term sheets and legal agreements associated with the origination, development, and closing of the transactions.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.

• Travel associated with this position may be up to 20% of the time.

   

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Bachelor of Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or similar university degree required.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in project finance, investment banking, credit structuring, debt capital markets, and/or transaction-oriented finance roles. Candidates with less than 4 years of relevant experience will not be considered for the position.
• Demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail and an ability to complete work accurately and in a timely manner against strict deadlines.
• Able to quickly learn and adapt to new processes and systems. Works well in a culturally diverse and team-oriented environment. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and an interest in continuous learning.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, ability to synthesize large amounts of information, analyze risk, and identify mitigating factors.
• Self-driven and motivated; takes personal ownership of specific assignments. Committed to developing high-end financial modeling skills and competency in the review and negotiation of project financing documentation.
• Ability to organize thoughts and clearly articulate points; provide summaries and explanations of transactions, verbally or in writing, to management or other internal departments.
• Experience developing and implementing complex projects and strategic initiatives in a matrixed environment.

• Experience negotiating complex legal agreements from a business/financial perspective.

   

   

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MBA or advanced degree with a focus on Finance, Economics or a Finance-related professional designation (e.g. CFA, CPA, PMI) preferred.
• Solid understanding of Project Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Public Finance, Structured Finance, Project Bonds, Project Loans, Loan Sales & Syndication, Debt Capital Markets, Financial Advisory, Investment Banking, Financial Guarantees, PPPs is a plus.
• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated; strong preference for fluent Spanish.
• Experience working with governments, multilateral/bilateral institutions, and debt capital markets/investment banks.
• Outstanding analytical and project management capabilities.
• Superior written and oral communications.