Nature-related Finance Lead

Global Canopy is a data-driven not for profit that targets the market forces destroying nature. We do this by improving transparency and accountability. We provide innovative open-access data, clear metrics, and actionable insights to leading companies, financial institutions, governments and campaigning organisations worldwide. 

Global Canopy’s Nature-related Finance Lead will oversee and develop our work building on two global initiatives that we have been catalytic in establishing. Both sit at the heart of the global transition from nature-negative towards nature-positive finance.

The first is the new Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Global Canopy, alongside partners UNEP FI, UNDP and WWF, played a lead role bringing it into existence. Following its formal launch in June 2021, we are now supporting the build out of the first beta version of the framework and guidance that are at the heart of the initiative.  Specifically we are focusing on data, metrics and targets (including by bringing in our market-leading work of forests and land use as a case study), undertaking pilot-testing of the emerging framework with corporates and financial institutions around the world, and leading TNFD communications and knowledge management.

The second is the ENCORE platform, providing financial institutions, central banks and governments with tools and data to understand and manage their impacts and dependencies on nature and biodiversity, in alignment with emerging global goals. With partners UNEP FI and UNEP-WCMC, we develop insights and guidance derived from ENCORE’s framework and data, and lead on its uptake in a number of target countries and worldwide, including via linkages to the TNFD.

We are now seeking an experienced and talented leader in this space to lead this portfolio of work at Global Canopy. You must be a strategic thinker, with outstanding technical expertise related to market impacts and dependencies on nature. You will have a track record working on these issues in a corporate or finance sector context, and the skills to help move forward this agenda building on our world-class tools and partnerships.

Skills and experience:

• Extensive experience in managing nature-related risks and opportunities within, or in close collaboration with, the finance and/or corporate sector.

• Deep technical understanding of nature-related data, metrics, frameworks and policies, and the latest developments in this fast-evolving space. Specific expertise in GC’s focal areas of forests and land use, and supply chain and financial transparency helpful but not essential.

• Track record in scoping, commissioning (both internally and externally) and ensuring quality and relevance of applied research.

• Strong programmatic and people management and development skills, with a proven track record in successfully delivering on complex, cross-sector projects across multiple partners and regions.

• Strong networks across the nature-related finance space, and effective communications and engagement skills.

• Excellent written English essential. Professional fluency in French, Portuguese or Spanish an advantage. 

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, or the ability to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experienced gained in a work setting.

Essential behavioural competencies:

• Strong leadership presence, modelling and championing leadership behaviours and organisational values.

• Positive outlook. High emotional intelligence and a coaching and mentoring-based approach to management.

• Diplomatic and persuasive, able to navigate inter-organisational priorities and tradeoffs.

• Organised and structured approach to ordering priorities, and overseeing a multi-faceted portfolio of projects. 

At Global Canopy, we value diversity and inclusion. You can read our diversity statement on our website. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and are committed to having a team with a diverse set of skills, experiences and abilities. We are committed to reducing systemic barriers in our recruitment processes. We strongly encourage those from diverse backgrounds to apply and not self-reject based on the listed criteria in the job pack.

Global Canopy works on issues of tropical deforestation. We are particularly interested in strengthening our team to include those with a background from forest regions such as Latin America and South East Asia. We would welcome applications from people from these regions and we will sponsor visas for a successful candidate and their family if they do not have the right to work in the UK.

Global Canopy is an inclusive employer and accommodations will be made to allow anyone who requires additional support to apply for this role. Please get in touch with us if you require any additional support.

To find out more, download the recruitment pack or visit our website.