Senior Specialist, Sustainable Debt

World Wildlife Fund, Inc.•Washington, DC

2h•$87,400 - $109,200•Remote

About The Position

Situated within WWF’s Nature Finance and Investment (NFI) team, the Senior Specialist, Sustainable Debt supports the design, development, and implementation of WWF’s sustainable debt work to mobilize financing from debt markets for nature and conservation priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director, the Senior Specialist provides technical, analytical, coordination, and relationship management support across sovereign and corporate sustainable debt opportunities, including debt conversions, sustainability-linked loans, sustainability-linked bonds, and related instruments. The role helps advance transaction pipelines, supports due diligence and stakeholder engagement, contributes to the development of science-based conservation and financing frameworks, and coordinates across WWF teams, Country Offices, financial institutions, donors, and external partners to ensure high-quality execution aligned with WWF priorities.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in management consulting, finance, conservation finance, international development, debt capital markets, development finance, sustainable finance, project finance, or related field is required; or an advance degree with 3 years of experience is preferred.
Demonstrated interest in sustainability, with at least a basic understanding of global environmental commitments/agreements, as well as, of corporate sustainability challenges.
Working knowledge of debt instruments and markets; basic understanding of sustainable debt instruments, such as debt-for-nature swaps, sustainability-linked bonds, sustainability-linked loans, blended finance structures, or related mechanisms is required.
Strong research, writing, financial analysis, project coordination, and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex technical, financial, and conservation information for different audiences is required.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and follow through on tasks in a complex, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to develop clear workplans, trackers, presentations, briefing notes, and other project management products.
Fluency in English is required, as well as strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; Spanish and/or additional languages are highly desirable but not required.
Ability to travel domestically; mostly internationally no more the 25%
Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: COURAGE, INTEGRITY, RESPECT, COLLABORATION.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fields, such as finance, economics, international relations, public policy, environmental economics, conservation, or related field is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to support complex projects involving multiple institutions and partners, including public sector, private sector, financial institution, multilateral, bilateral, donor, and civil society stakeholders is preferred.
Experience working in international or cross-cultural settings, including experience with or interest in working with teams and partners in the Global South.
Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, or resource mobilization is a plus.
Spanish and/or additional languages are highly desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Supports the development and implementation of WWF’s sustainable debt portfolio to mobilize capital for conservation outcomes.
Contributes to transaction origination, structuring, due diligence, preparation, and implementation of WWF-supported sustainable debt initiatives, including debt conversions, sustainability-linked bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and related instruments, in close collaboration with NFI colleagues, WWF US teams, external partners, and Country Offices across the global network.
Supports WWF’s ability to provide credible, science-based key performance indicators (KPIs) and conservation guidance for corporate debt instruments that advance high-priority sustainability outcomes.
Conducts research, prepares analyses, supports engagement with private sector firms in relevant sectors, and helps coordinate inputs from WWF technical teams and external advisors.
Supports the parallel execution of multiple sustainable debt opportunities by coordinating workplans, tracking milestones, preparing materials, and synthesizing technical and financial information.
Maintains project management tools, pipeline trackers, budgets, meeting notes, and internal reporting products for the Sustainable Debt pillar.
Coordinates across internal teams and external partners to support timely delivery of agreed activities, deliverables, and follow-up actions.
Supports WWF’s engagement with governments, corporates, financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral partners, donors, legal advisors, technical experts, and civil society organizations.
Prepares briefing materials, talking points, presentations, and follow-up documents for meetings and external engagements led by senior team members.
Supports donor and investor engagement by preparing concept notes, proposals, pitch materials, background research, and reporting inputs related to sustainable debt transaction development and implementation.
Performs other duties as assigned, consistent with the roles and responsibilities of the position.