Regional Finance Specialist

The Regional Finance Specialist works with Tara’s Senior Finance Strategist to help shift Asian financial markets and investments away from fossil fuels and into clean energy.

We are looking for a finance professional with a good understanding of the finance sector keen to put their skills to work to stop the climate crisis. The Regional Finance Specialist will help identify the levers that must be utilised to drive significant change in the finance sector to accelerate Asia’s clean energy transition.

The Regional Finance Specialist will work closely with regional and country teams to develop and implement Tara’s grantmaking finance strategy and help deliver finance program priorities. Tara’s finance program supports a broad range of stakeholders across the region, delivering a wide range of programs, including advocacy campaigns, analysis, and engagement focused on shifting key public and private financial institutions, Central Banks, governments, regulators and investors to accelerate investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The **key responsibilities of the Regional Finance Specialist **will be:
1. Analyze climate, energy, and net zero-related finance sector developments,

as well as instruments and mechanisms to help shift high carbon investment in Asia, providing strategic advice on where Tara should focus our finance-related grant-making.

2. Support the development, coordination and implementation of Tara finance grant-making

strategies at the regional level, working closely with Tara country leads, grantees and other

partners.

3. Work closely with Tara country programmes to embed regional finance priorities and ensure they use all relevant levers to drive finance sector action on climate within their

jurisdictions.

4. Expand and maintain a network of financial experts, analysts, not-for-profits, think tanks,

financial regulators and financial institutions in Asia and other key countries supporting

strategic priorities.

5. Manage relationships with grantees and other partners, helping to shape their strategic

priorities and provide feedback on briefings, papers and initiatives.

6. Update the wider Tara team on developments in the financial sector and markets that will help align Asian energy investments with the Paris 1.5-degree climate target.

7. With the Senior Finance Strategist, oversee a diverse grant portfolio, including monitoring and reporting on grants.

8. Attend relevant international finance forums and strategic meetings, representing Tara and

ensuring key developments or outcomes shape Tara’s regional finance strategies

9. Demonstrate Tara's Values in every action and abide by Tara’s policies, procedures and practices

As and when required, other responsibilities and projects will be allocated by line management in consultation with the post holder.

**Skills & Experience**:

- At least 5 years of relevant work experience in economics, finance, and/or sustainable finance in Asia, with a broad knowledge of existing trends and levers to drive private and public finance into clean energy.
- A deep understanding of the financial sector, institutions, networks, and players to inform key strategies for a rapid clean energy transition and an ability to see the bigger picture.
- Experience in any of the following fields of an asset: banking, investment, insurance, asset management, international financial institutions, financial policy and regulation.
- Strong analytical and bigger-picture skills with the ability to interpret complex data and evaluate a wide range of factors to make strategic decisions.
- Ability to discuss and communicate complex financial issues and recommendations to colleagues, partners and decision-makers.
- Proven track record of facilitating productive discussions among a range of participants.
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in and across teams and with mínimal supervision.
- Strong verbal and written English.
- Track record of thriving in managing competing demands and priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and an Asian language would be an asset.
- Used to working flexibly at a fast pace in remote settings with multicultural teams across multiple time zones
- Embraces Tara’s mission and identifies with and is committed to living the Tara Values
- Ability to travel as and when required

**Desirable**
- Good grasp of energy policy and energy systems transformation in Asia.
- Familiarity with sustainable investment practices, taxonomies and climate-related financial disclosure and their impact on financial performance and assets.
- Fluency in a relevant Asian language.

**Education**
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

**Stakeholder Management**

**Key external stakeholders**
- Public and private financial institutions, Central Banks, financial regulators and investors operating in Asia
- Donor Agencies
- Civil society organisations in Asia and internationally wor