Director, Innovative Finance

Organization: Plan International Canada

Reports to: Vice President, International Programs

Location: Toronto, Ottawa or remote (with up to 15% international travel annually)

Status: Permanent, full-time

Contact level: A

What can you expect from joining a leading organization in the global movement to advance children’s rights and equality for girls?

An inspiring team of intelligent disruptors that challenges themselves to Defy Normal – to be bold, insightful, focused and innovative.

We are one of Canada’s Most Admired Cultures and here’s why: together, we have created a climate of trust and inclusivity – where diversity in people, ideas and approaches is not only respected, it’s encouraged. We are empowered to command change and build powerful partnerships, with support from passionate leaders to unleash our full potential and learn, lead, decide and thrive.

Further information can be found at: plancanada.ca

The Position

The Director, Innovative Finance will work to develop and expand our knowledge and programs to implement innovative financing solutions to address international development challenges, especially those facing women and girls in the developing world.

You will have the knowledge, drive and experience to understand how a range of social/ innovative finance options can align with Plan International Canada’s mission to advance gender equality and poverty alleviation while addressing sustainable returns on impact-oriented investments in resource poor settings. You will work with our executive leadership, our technical staff, and institutional or individual funders, to grow Plan International Canada’s expertise in this area. The scope of social/ innovative finance options to be explored range from pay for performance and Development Impact Bonds to impact investment.

What does success look like?

· Support Plan International Canada to refine its Theory of Change for Innovative Finance;

· Catalyze the Executive team, internal stakeholders and the broader Plan International Federation Innovative Finance group to assess and fine tune Plan International Canada’s offering;

· Identify and pursue selected opportunities for innovative finance with donors, governments, foundations and financial institutions;

· Follow up with existing partners and develop potential new partnerships to ensure Plan International Canada is leveraging effectively and not duplicating efforts;

· Work with Plan International Canada team and global country offices to identify/ create/ design new opportunities oriented on youth employment and gender equality with a specific focus on green growth;

· Work closely with Philanthropy team to bring in new investors to Plan International Canada’s work in Innovative Finance;

· Support pay for performance and commercial contracting initiatives, including support on costing and pricing where needed, identifying new opportunities;

· Liaise and input into Gender Impact Fund being explored by the Plan International global federation including pipeline development, tools for due diligence, measurement tools;

· Strengthen internal capacities, processes and systems within Plan International Canada related to innovative Finance;

· Work with other business units including Gender Equality team, Economic Empowerment Advisors, Business Development Unit, Communications and Legal to ensure new social/ innovative finance initiative is well integrated;

· Identify and mitigate potential risks;

· Represent Plan International Canada in related international and domestic networks.

As our ideal candidate you will have:

· A Master’s (preferably MBA) and/ or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

· Significant expertise (10+ years) in the area of economic growth, finance/ micro-finance or investment in emerging/ frontier markets.

· Demonstrable experience with impact investment in developing countries.

· Substantial experience in either business development, capital raising, and/ or developing public-private partnerships.

· Good knowledge of funding mechanisms and opportunities for social and innovative finance available from international financial institutions, bilateral donors, foundations and governments in the global south.

· Proven track record developing high-level strategic relationships in international development.

· Useful networks to fund managers and innovators in this space.

· Strong commitment to addressing gender inequality and firm grasp of gender lens investment.

· Exceptional English writing, interpersonal, and negotiation skills with a collaborative style.

· Excellent management skills, commitment to Plan International’s values of integrity, team work and transparency.

· Willingness to undertake limited travel (1 - 2 weeks at a time for 15% of the year).

How to apply:

To express interest in this exciting opportunity to join a dynamic organization and a high performing team please forward your resume and cover letter to gethired@plancanada.ca by February 5, 2020. Please reference Director, Innovative Finance in the subject line**.**

Plan International Canada is an inclusive workplace, and is committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.

Consistent with our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, the successful candidate must receive clearance by a police background check, including the vulnerable sector screen.

Applicants that expect to be based in Canada must be eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the work term. Proof of eligibility will be required.

Plan International Canada sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Thank you for your interest in a career at Plan International Canada!