Greening Financial Regulation Specialist at WWF South Africa

Minimum Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in the field of Economics, Finance or Business.
• 5 to 8 years’ experience in policy development, regulatory oversight, legislative development and/or private sector finance compliance.
• Strong financial and budgeting experience.
• Proven experience with research and publications.
• Preferably Experience with Financial Institutions and with central banks or regulators will be an advantage.
• Analytical, strategic; sees the big picture
• Proven organizational, diplomatic and negotiating skills that yield positive results on the sustainability agenda, especially as it relates to the finance and business world
• Strong ability to lead the implementation of large-sized projects, including working with and coordinating funding partners, third parties and users
• Ability to work effectively as a team member with a wide range of individuals across cultures and time zones
• Ability to establish strong networks with diverse stakeholders, including government, industry, investors and donors
• Independent worker, pro-active in thinking about opportunities to further improve the work
• Experience of working in emerging markets is key
• Strong interest in nature conservation and the mission of WWF
• Prior experience working at interface of finance and environment.
• Experience in banking regulation, supervision and nature-related policy issues is highly desirable.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage complex analysis; ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner; attention to detail.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable.
• You recognise yourself in the values of WWF: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Inclusion

Duties and Responsibilities

• WWF SA requires an GFRi Engagement Specialist to work in tandem with subject matter experts, key stakeholders and WWF Green Financial Regulation Initiative to:
• Review the range of regulatory and supervisory developments on incorporating nature risk and impact into central banking, financial regulation and supervision in key jurisdictions in Africa,
• Review prudential supervisory expectations on the assessment and management of nature-related financial risks; (i) nature-related supervisory assessments, scenario analysis and/or stress testing; (iii) prudential disclosures;
• Assess the extent to which nature and biodiversity are integrated into green taxonomies, either as environmental objectives (with technical screening criteria or thresholds) or Do-No-Significant-Harm criteria in Africa;
• Investigate the regulatory enabling environment appliable to financial institutions as corporations as well as their (corporate) clients: (i) emerging mandatory nature-related (corporate) disclosure measures; (ii) environmental due diligence obligations, (iii) conduct-related aspects of banking regulation such as anti-greenwashing rules and how they apply to nature incorporating nature;
• Other aspects of nature-related policy and regulation as relevant.
• Deliver a Thought Leadership analysis on the state of nature-related risks and opportunities into central banking, financial regulation and supervision in South Africa and in other key countries in Africa to be presented at G20 summit in South Africa.
• Support the GFRi Lead and Team in engaging the central bank, the financial supervisor and other relevant stakeholders to promote our work during the G20 South African Presidency.
• Support the GFRi to plan and implement event and workshops in Africa during the G20 presidency.
• Identify and contribute to fundraising opportunities for the GFRi.
• Engage with WWF’s Finance Practice and other Practices as relevant, leveraging on internal expertise and contributing to WWF conservation goals.