Reports to: Project Lead: Taxonomy and Natural Capital 

 Position Status: Two-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension. Fulltime, but open to discussions around flexible or part-time work.  

 Location: Flexible location with travel to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne as required. 

 Remuneration: Remuneration package of between $130 000 - $160 000 depending on experience.  

• Join purpose driven organisation, with a great culture and ambition to make a game-changing impact on environmental sustainability through finance 

• Opportunity to significantly shape the future of sustainable finance 

• Work with researchers, industry, government, regulators, and civil society in a uniquely pivotal role 

 About ASFI: 

 The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) has been established to realign the Australian financial services system so that more money flows to activities that will create a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive Australia. We do this by coordinating, facilitating and driving implementation of the Australian Sustainable Finance Roadmap. Our members are Australia’s largest financial institutions across superannuation, investment management, banking, insurance and financial services, all of whom are committed to our mission and to doing more on sustainable finance. We work closely with partners across government, universities, NGOs and industry organistions and collaboration is at the heart of how we work.  

ASFI Natural Capital Work Program: 

 ASFI is working in partnership with agricultural experts and across the finance sector to enable the integration of natural capital considerations into financial decision making and unlock the implementation challenges of nature-related disclosure and reporting. We are also providing key finance sector input on the Australian Government’s nature positive policy agenda. 

 The ASFI Roadmap recognises the importance of natural capital to a resilient and sustainable economy, and makes several recommendations that will enable the finance sector to recognise, value and incorporate natural capital into capital allocation decisions and risk analysis (recommendation 14); provide guidance on nature-related financial disclosures that take into account Australia’s unique environment (recommendation 18), and facilitate the development of natural capital markets (recommendation 35).  

 As part of the natural capital work program ASFI has established a Partnership with a key natural capital research partner, to deliver on these Roadmap recommendations. The two-year Partnership seeks to use evidence based natural capital information to help ASFI member organisations: 

• Establish and link natural capital indicators to key financial indicators that will enable financial institutions and agricultural businesses to better understand risk and productivity;   

• Develop a method for land valuations that is based on the productive capability of the landscape and its resilience in changing climatic conditions;

• Provide a strong basis for financial institutions to undertake meaningful nature-related risk assessments across their agri-portfolios and provide high quality disclosures under the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).  

The Partnership is being designed in a way that facilitates a deeper exchange between the agricultural constituents participating in the research data collection project and the finance sector participants involved in the Partnership. The Partnership will provide a forum for finance sector participants from banking, insurance, and investment to gain a deeper understanding of the links between on-ground natural capital management practices and financial implications of those management practices on how farmers can manage production risks and capitalise on new business opportunities.   

Responsibilities: 

 The Project Manager, Natural Capital will: 

• Help shape the Natural Capital Partnership work plan 

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Partnership 

• Be responsible for delivery of the Partnership outcomes 

• Support ASFI’s policy input on the Australian Government’s nature positive policy agenda, including the Nature Repair Market Bill, EPBC Act reform, and TNFD including it’s potential future domestic implementation. 

  Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading the project management of the Natural Capital Partnership, with oversight from the Program Lead: Taxonomy and Natural Capital. 

• Manage multiple competing and evolving, individual and project team priorities to ensure the project remains on track and delivers successful outcomes. 

• Prepares the structure and content of reports and updates to funders, Project Steering Committee, Board and other stakeholders  

• Independently prepares for and leads the facilitation of internal and external meetings/workshops with project teams (including internal and external collaborators) to communicate project requirements, champion cross-functional and cross-sectoral collaboration, and ensure the completion of project milestones in alignment with set goals. 

• Identifies, escalates and addresses project inefficiencies, risks and issues in a timely manner. 

• Negotiates and manages stakeholder expectations in relation to project delivery timeframes, budgets and risks with oversight from the Project Lead: Taxonomy and Natural Capital. 

• Undertakes research and consultation and prepares key policy input on the Australian Government’s nature positive policy agenda.  

 Selection criteria: 

With a relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in banking and finance, agricultural or environmental economics or a related discipline, you will possess a minimum of seven years' professional work experience with significant time spent working in responsible investment, sustainable finance, or public policy specialising in environment or natural resource management. 

You are adept at working in a small environment where people's opinions are valued and listened to. You thrive on open communication, transparency and are energised by a dynamic work environment. 

 In addition, you will possess the following: 

•  Experience either:  Working on complex public policy/regulation projects on natural capital/natural resource management, or  working on sustainable finance issues within a banking or investment institution.  

• Strong organisational, project management, and interpersonal skills. 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of natural capital accounting, nature and biodiversity ESG considerations, and/or climate and nature risk disclosure frameworks (TCFD and TNFD).  

• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills including proven experience in coordinating multiple stakeholders across government, civil society, regulators and financial industry participants.  within varying spheres of influence. 

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently, prioritise activities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment. 

• Highly organised with meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to continuous quality improvement in both organisation and personal performance. 

The ideal candidate will be aligned with ASFI's vision and mission. The role would suit someone with 7-10 years of professional work experience. 

ASFI values diversity and is building a workforce that reflects the whole community. ASFI is an equal opportunity employer and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally& linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, sexuality and gender diverse (LGBTQIA+) community members, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

Applications will remain open until Friday 26 May 2023, however, as candidates will be assessed as applications received, there is the possibility the job may be filled earlier than the intended close date. We strongly encourage all applicants to apply as soon as practical.