The Sustainable Debt Team (part of Impact Finance and Markets Division) 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.

The Sustainable Debt Associate will be a core member on 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, developing internal and external information memoranda, and structuring and closing deals. The initial focus of the position will be to support a senior transaction lead 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 Sustainable Debt Associate will report to the Managing Director, Sustainable Debt in NatureVest. Eligible locations for this position are Arlington, VA, USA or New York, NY. TNC will consider requests for temporary work from other US locations until an orderly move to one of the two hubs can be arranged. No visa sponsorship requests will be considered for this position. Candidates should be available to start immediately upon completion of hiring process.

This is the more junior of two similar positions being hired on the Sustainable Debt Team. Please review the minimum qualifications below. If you exceed the minimum qualifications for this position but are still interested in joining the team, please refer to the Sustainable Debt Director position (Job Number: 51663).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Sustainable Debt Associate will be involved with Sustainable Debt transactions from initial scoping to final negotiations and financial close. They will play a key role in meeting TNC’s strategic priorities through sustainable debt transactions with emerging market sovereign partners. The Associate will collaborate with staff across The Nature Conservancy, including Sustainable Debt Team Directors and Project Managers, Regional and Country Directors, Global Protect 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, commercial lenders, 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

• Implements and manages the origination and closing of multiple new and existing sovereign debt transactions (each expected to be $100+ MM) with oversight of Sustainable Debt Directors.
• Develops, audits, and maintains financial models.
• Develops content for internal and external audiences, including drafting pitch decks and approval and information memos.
• Supports communications and relationship management with financial institutions, credit enhancers and other external partners.
• Performs due diligence and risk assessments.
• Travel associated with this position may be up to 40% of the time, likely lower in the beginning.
• Works collaboratively with staff from Global Protect, regional/ country staff, Global Science, Government Relations and IFM/NatureVest to ensure the programmatic work is strategically aligned and well-integrated across the organization.
• Participates in negotiations of complex, high profile or sensitive agreements associated with the transactions.
• Acts independently and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve complex problems.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.