Expert des Fonds Fiduciaires pour la Conservation – Senegal

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Expert des Fonds Fiduciaires pour la Conservation for a environment consultancy assignment financed by AFD in Senegal.

Aninver Development Partners is currently preparing a proposal for an advisory assignment funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in Senegal. The overarching goal of the initiative is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the establishment of a dedicated biodiversity conservation trust fund in the country, addressing key funding gaps for protected areas and coastal ecosystems.

We are seeking an expert for the position of Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) Expert to join our multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in designing, structuring, and planning the operationalization of the trust fund, leveraging international best practices and deep regional expertise in West Africa.

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

• Assess the technical, legal, institutional, economic, and financial feasibility of establishing a Biodiversity Conservation Trust Fund in Senegal.
• Design optimal governance, structural, and legal options for the trust fund to ensure independence, transparency, and accountability.
• Develop a robust financial and economic model, including target capitalization and investment strategies.
• Formulate a clear operational roadmap, strategic plan, and action plan for the creation and deployment of the trust fund.

Scope of work

• Conduct a comparative analysis of governance structures for existing conservation trust funds in West Africa and globally.
• Characterize the trust fund's mission, vision, governance bodies, transparency mechanisms, and disbursement policies.
• Evaluate potential funding sources, including mechanisms to receive and manage revenues from coastal ecosystem carbon credits.
• Estimate the target capital required for long-term viability and develop multi-scenario financial models.
• Define eligible expenditure scopes, including support for national parks, reserves, and community-led biodiversity initiatives.
• Draft foundational legal and operational documents, including statutes, operational manuals, and environmental and social management systems.
• Formulate a resource mobilization strategy and a capacity-building roadmap for the fund's initial years of operation.

Your role as Expert des Fonds Fiduciaires pour la Conservation

• Lead the technical design and implementation framework for the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) based on international and regional best practices.
• Advise on structural options and governance arrangements tailored to the country context to attract international investors and donors.
• Collaborate with team economists and legal experts to align the trust fund's design with financial viability and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to the definition of investment strategies, exclusion lists, and asset management frameworks.
• Design mechanisms for stakeholder collaboration, involving public authorities, local communities, NGOs, and research institutions.
• Draft guidelines and terms of reference for the trust fund's executive secretariat and operational management.
• Contribute to the drafting of the operationalization roadmap, strategic plan, and technical assistance needs assessment.

Requirements

• Education: Not explicitly stated
• Minimum 10 years of experience with proven expertise in the implementation of Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) globally and particularly in West Africa
• Languages: French mandatory, English strongly recommended

Desirable

• Previous professional experience with AFD-funded projects or other international donors in the environmental sector.
• Familiarity with carbon credit markets, blue economy financing, and biodiversity offsetting mechanisms in coastal and marine ecosystems.

An internationally recognized conservation finance specialist with at least 10 years of experience designing and operationalizing Conservation Trust Funds, particularly in West Africa, backed by fluent French and strong English communication skills.

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.