Director of Partnerships & Funder Engagement at Center for… · Nairobi

Director of Partnerships & Funder Engagement

Climate Finance & Resource Mobilization Strategy

• Lead the design and development of innovative climate and nature finance mobilization strategies that support national and regional development priorities and Strategy 2025–2035.
  
• Steward the transition from project-only funding to a model that combines project and programmatic funding, with the science programmes as the organizing unit.
  
• Mobilize and structure investments for climate mitigation and adaptation, resilience building, ecosystem restoration, nature infrastructure and sustainable land management.
  

Partnerships & Funder Engagement

• Build and strengthen partnerships with multilateral organizations, development banks, philanthropy and private-sector investors.
  
• Identify and secure funding through major international financing mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF),and identify novel mechanisms to leverage philanthropic funding towards accelerated bankabilty.
  
• Steward funder relationships through tailored, impact-oriented updates, drawing on the Chief Impact Officer and the Director of Communications & Outreach.
  

Proposals & Funding Pipeline

• Lead the preparation of high-value funding proposals, investment cases and programmatic initiatives, with scientists leading the scientific case.
  
• Coordinate the organization-wide programmatic funding pipeline and provide proposal support to science programmes, themes and country platforms outside of current competitive project funding.
  

Strategic Advice & Representation

• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and senior leadership on climate policy, sustainable development, restoration initiatives and funding priorities, including diversification and risk in the resource base.
  
• Represent the organization in high-level international forums, negotiations and stakeholder engagements, with and on behalf of the CEO.
  

People & Resource Management

• Lead and develop the partnerships team, including specialist capability in climate and carbon finance, and manage the function’s budget.
  
• Strengthen private sector supported fundraising capability among scientists, Science Programme Directors and theme leaders.
  
  

Requirements

• Advanced degree in environmental science, climate policy, economics, international development, natural resource management or a related field.
  
• A minimum of 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in climate and nature finance, resource mobilization, sustainable development, environmental policy or ecosystem restoration.
  
• Demonstrated success in designing and securing large-scale climate and development investments.
  
• Proven experience working with private sectors, development partners, multilateral organizations, philanthropy and donor agencies.
  
• Strong track record of delivering impactful programmes across Global South working in multicultural and international settings.
  
• Demonstrated people management skills and leadership ability.
  
• Experience in international research-for-development organizations is an asset.
  

About us

CIFOR x26amp; ICRAF in action

Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.

CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.