EC2 Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) Expert – Senegal

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a EC2 Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) Expert for a environment consultancy assignment financed by AFD in Senegal.

Aninver Development Partners is seeking an expert for an upcoming feasibility study funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in Senegal. The assignment focuses on establishing a sustainable mechanism for biodiversity conservation financing, protecting natural ecosystems, and enhancing the management of protected areas across the country.

The appointed Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) Expert will play a pivotal role in designing the structural, operational, and governance frameworks for the proposed trust fund. This initiative aims to address structural funding gaps, incorporate innovative green and blue finance instruments, and support long-term environmental sustainability in Senegal.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Evaluate the technical, institutional, and structural feasibility of establishing a dedicated conservation trust fund in Senegal.
• Design optimal governance, management, and legal structures to ensure the independence, transparency, and accountability of the fund.
• Define clear capitalization targets, resource mobilization strategies, and investment policies aligned with international standards.
• Develop a comprehensive operational roadmap and action plan for the effective creation and rollout of the fund.

Scope of work

• Conduct a comparative analysis of governance structures of existing conservation trust funds in West Africa and other relevant regions.
• Identify legal and institutional constraints and opportunities within the national context for setting up the trust fund.
• Characterize the fund's mission, vision, governance bodies, transparency mechanisms, and collaboration modalities with local and national stakeholders.
• Perform economic and financial modeling, including target capital estimation and sustainable investment strategies.
• Assess the potential of carbon credit revenues from coastal ecosystems to be managed and channeled through the trust fund.
• Draft the foundational statutes, operational manuals, environmental and social management systems, and terms of reference for future technical assistance.

Your role as EC2 Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) Expert

• Lead the technical design and implementation framework for Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) drawing on international best practices and regional context.
• Advise on the structural options for the trust fund, evaluating public, private, or mixed governance models.
• Develop clear guidelines for the executive secretariat, board of directors, investment committees, and decision-making processes.
• Contribute to defining eligible expenditure scopes, including protected area support and community-led conservation initiatives.
• Collaborate with legal and economic specialists to integrate carbon finance mechanisms and green/blue funding streams into the trust fund's architecture.
• Formulate the strategic plan, resource mobilization roadmap, and performance indicators for the fund's first 5, 10, and 15 years of operation.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of proven international experience in the design and implementation of Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs), with specific expertise in West Africa.
• Advanced degree in environmental finance, conservation management, business administration, economics, or a related field.
• Strong technical knowledge of biodiversity conservation, protected area financing, and sustainable development mechanisms.
• Demonstrated expertise in governance structures, institutional frameworks, and financial architecture for trust funds.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in French is essential; a strong working knowledge of English is highly recommended.

Desirable

• Prior working experience on environmental advisory assignments financed by international development donors such as AFD.
• Familiarity with carbon credit certification and innovative blue/green financing instruments in coastal and marine ecosystems.

An experienced conservation finance specialist with a proven track record in establishing and structuring trust funds across West Africa, combining deep knowledge of environmental governance with strong strategic planning capabilities.

Assignment details

• Location: Senegal
• Financed by: AFD
• Sector: Environment
• Estimated duration: 15 months
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a AFD-financed project in Senegal.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.