Innovative Finance Expert

Job Summary

In this role, you will be the financial lead expert for the Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition in Ethiopia introducing ideas to mobilize new capital for a sustainable food and land use system. You will take on the challenge to raise awareness about innovative financing that has advanced a sustainable food and land use system, conduct analysis of Ethiopia’s institutional and policy framework, and identify opportunities for finance innovations in Ethiopia working closely with stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors including the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Transformation Agency, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Your experience and skills will be essential to conduct learning events, organize an investor roundtable, and develop recommendations and an investment proposal. The position is full-time for an initial two years. You will be a member of the FOLU team at WRI’s Addis Ababa office advancing the Action Agenda for a New Food and Land Use Economy in Ethiopia and work closely with FOLU colleagues in the United Kingdom and the United States.

This a full time limited term position ending June 30, 2023

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based in our WRI Africa office once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities

• Support FOLU Ethiopia’s engagement on agriculture financing reform with finance and agriculture sector stakeholders including government, finance development institutions, and others
• Develop an effective learning and knowledge sharing setup among different stakeholders involved
• Analyze trends in innovative finance approaches advancing a more sustainable food and land use system and range of applications across Africa as highlighted through case studies by the Blended Finance Task Force
• Organize learning events to introduce finance innovations operating in other African countries
• In close collaboration with agriculture and finance sector stakeholders, carry out gap analysis on Ethiopia’s current (and intended) framework conditions to support such financial innovations
• Prepare policy brief that summarizes findings from gap analysis and identifies opportunities to reform institutional and policy framework to support such financial innovations
• Working with global FOLU team, ensure access to thought leaders to support innovative approaches to mobilize new capital for a sustainable food and land use system in Ethiopia
• Organize investor roundtable leveraging FOLU’s international expertise and network of partner institutions to discuss opportunities.
• Develop investment proposal and commit key stakeholders to make one financing model operational in Ethiopia

Job Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international finance, economics, business, or related fields
• More than 7 years of professional experience in cooperation programs that have strengthened regulatory and institutional frameworks to finance rural development, financed agricultural development, increased financial inclusion, or introduced innovative investment and financing products and services
• Demonstrated experience of working with institutions in the finance and agriculture sectors of Ethiopia
• Practical experience of organizing learning events and investor roundtables
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a coalition of partners including government, private sector, and civil society
• Excellent writing skills, ability to synthesize and present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Exceptionally good communication and interpersonal skills including sound strategic and political judgements
• High motivation to work on transformational changes in Ethiopia’s finance and agricultural sectors
• Prior experience of working in the international development sector is essential

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. Deadline for applications is 28th April. 

Program Overview

Launched in 2017, the Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) seeks to lead the world in a transition to more sustainable food and land use systems needed to deliver the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Since its inception, FOLU has built significant momentum for action on food and land use system transformation around the world. The Coalition has become recognized globally and in target countries as a thought leader and powerful source of evidence-based knowledge. FOLU has a suite of country platforms that have been established to enable in-country delivery. The five main country platforms are China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, and Indonesia. There are also affiliated FOLU platforms in Australia, the Nordics, and the UK.

FOLU in Ethiopia comprises a vibrant network of partners and experts working together to provide support to policymakers and other influential stakeholders at the national and local level. These include the Agricultural Transformation Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission, and the National Planning and Development Commission. The Coalition is also supported by a diverse and proactive group of ‘Goodwill Ambassadors’ – prominent figures who advance and champion the vision and objectives of the Coalition. To catalyze action, the Coalition partners have prepared an Action Agenda with broad stakeholder engagement including diverse development actors, government, private sector, and experts.

WRI Overview 

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. 

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect. 

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.  

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.   

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.