Status	Permanent Full-time
Location	Office in downtown Vancouver, BC, with a hybrid working environment (3 days / week in office).
Anticipated start date	When role filled
Salary Range	$80,000 – $85,000
Reports to	Director, Development

APPLY NOW >

The Opportunity

Our mission at Coast Funds is to serve First Nations in achieving their goals for community wellbeing, conservation, stewardship, and economic development centered in the Great Bear Rainforest, Haida Gwaii, and surrounding seas.

The Conservation Finance Specialist works closely with Coast Fund’s Development Director and the Development Manager, First Nations leadership, and philanthropic and industry partners, to support development of conservation finance activities including First Nations fundraising strategies, feasibility assessments, and knowledge sharing.

The role supports Coast Fund’s 2026-2028 Strategic Plan, including:

• Goal 1: Supporting First Nations in advancing their goals for stewardship, conservation, and healthy and resilient economies;
• Goal 2: Deepening engagement with First Nations and developing robust knowledge management systems to share learning, support First Nations’ decision-making, and amplify their impact;
• Goal 3: Reinforcing strong financial stewardship, governance, and organizational practices, while growing funds under management.
• Goal 4: Support First Nations in the successful implementation of the Great Bear Sea project finance for permanence initiative.

The Conservation Finance Specialist reports to the Development Director, to support the delivery of conservation finance initiatives, and works closely with both the Development Director and Development Manager on the creation and delivery of fundraising plans and opportunity profiles for individual First Nations. The Conservation Finance Specialist also works closely with the Development Director and Stewardship Funding Director to share knowledge among First Nations about conservation finance mechanisms.

The individual in this role is a key member of a small, close-working team who will collaborate and foster a high-trust environment within Coast Funds and the First Nations we serve.

---

Key Responsibilities

Conservation Finance Program Delivery

• Support Development Director with First Nations engagement and relationship-building with external partners, including philanthropy.
• Support feasibility assessment, and related project management, of conservation finance tools, informed by individual and / or regional First Nations interests.
• Lead efforts with external partners to ensure applied research and case studies seek Indigenous input, accurately reflect and bring value to regional First Nations’ and Coast Funds’ experience, while supporting organizational learning on conservation finance.
• Ensure Coast Funds is up to date on relevant conservation finance developments within British Columbia, Canada, and internationally.

First Nations Fundraising Strategy Support

• Support Development Director and Development Manager with creation of fundraising strategies through the identification of financial contributions from relevant finance mechanisms, e.g. carbon, endowments, philanthropic support, own source revenue and other mechanisms. This includes providing financial projections and forecasts.
• Lead development of opportunity profiles that outline distinct sources of finance for stewardship, conservation and restoration relevant to individual First Nations and region organizations.
• Ensure timely and accurate record keeping for all projects and related correspondence in the organization’s Salesforce database and file server.

Learning and Knowledge Exchange

• Work with the Development Director and Stewardship Funding Director to support delivery of conservation finance-focused knowledge exchange activities and materials including reports, presentations, webinars, and convenings to ensure regional First Nations are aware of relevant conservation finance tools and provided space for peer learning.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with Indigenous and philanthropic networks relevant to conservation finance, including the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Circle on Philanthropy, Environment Funders Canada, Nature Investment Hub, Pollination Foundation, Emerald Edge Network, and other Indigenous and philanthropic partners.
• Ensure adaptative learning across First Nations’ fundraising strategies and processes working closely with the Development Director and Stewardship Funding Director.

General

• Be available for intermittent travel within the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii to attend meetings or project site visits. Day trips to Vancouver Island are semi-frequent and overnight travel is up to 6 (one/two night) trips into the region annually.
• Understand and comply with all Coast Funds internal policies and the Employee Guidebook.
• Maintain confidentiality of First Nations’ and Coast Funds’ financial and strategic information.
• Conduct yourself to highest standard of ethical conduct, exhibiting integrity in all your interactions to develop and maintain high-trust relationships.

Key Measure of Success

• Coast Funds consistently engages with participating First Nations to ensure strategic fundraising is affective in alignment with the organizations’ mandate and with First Nations’ priorities.
• Support the achievement of related key performance indicators and related outcomes.
• First Nations affirm their satisfaction with Coast Funds collaboration, guidance, and support in developing fundraising strategies.
• Colleagues affirm that effective collaboration with this position encourages a positive, team atmosphere.
• All records are maintained and tasks completed in a timely manner.

---

About You

Qualifications

The competencies for this position would typically be acquired through 5 to 7 years direct professional experience in conservation finance, impact investing business / public administration, or Indigenous affairs, in addition to an bachelor’s degree in fields such as environmental science, environmental economics, sustainable finance, or related fields business and / or an equivalent combination of the following competencies, training, and experience:

 

• A post graduate degree in relevant fields along with experience of applied research is desirable.
• Understanding of and respect for the inherent stewardship responsibilities First Nations have throughout their unceded territories.
• Knowledge of conservation finance in Canada, including relevant mechanisms, their application in Indigenous conservation, stewardship or economic development and related knowledge of key funding organizations and policy.
• Lived or work experience in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii region. Familiarity with land and / or marine use issues in the Great Bear Rainforest region and the First Nations that Coast Funds serves would be an asset.
• Experience managing confidential client information and corporate file systems in addition to experience with financial forecasting and budget development is required.
• Strong word processing and computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Acrobat, Zoom, Salesforce, and Teams.
• Strong financial modeling skills, scenario analysis, and financial acumen.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook in arranging meetings and managing multiple calendars.
• Experience in drafting, proofing, and editing correspondence and engagement for professional audiences including public reports, briefing documents, and workshop delivery.
• Experience with customer relationship management software, such as Salesforce, would be an asset.

Competencies

• Solid interpersonal skills to create a clear understanding of expectations and positively represent the organization to external audiences. Always a team player with a positive attitude when handling complex topics and adapting to situations.
• Solid business communication skills in both written and verbal form with an ability to write clearly and concisely and build relationships with a variety of individuals and organizations.
• Solid listening and compassion skills with a high level of emotional maturity.
• Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and passionate about achieving win-win outcomes.
• Detailed, organized, and motivated. Able to move tasks or projects with multiple players to their conclusion without missing anything.
• Adaptable to an evolving work environment, ability to think through complex challenges with a solutions-orientated approach and openness to new ideas and innovation.
• Well-organized with an ability to balance multiple priorities to produce tangible results in a deadline-driven work environment.
• Self-directed, self-motivated, efficient, and energetic with enthusiasm and an ability to learn quickly.

---

About Coast Funds

Coast Funds is an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization delivers financing and services in support of First Nations’ investment in stewardship, conservation, and economic development.

Following the signing of the Great Bear Rainforest agreements, Coast Funds was established in 2007 to manage funds for First Nations’ stewardship and economic priorities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. In 2024, First Nations worked with Coast Funds and other partners to secure new funding, through the Great Bear Sea PFP, for marine stewardship and community-led development.

Today, the organization administers endowments and spend-down funds, which are allocated between participating First Nations, and provides financial administration services to First Nations and their partners.

To date, Coast Funds has delivered more than $145 million for over 500 Indigenous-led conservation, economic development, and sustainable energy projects. With these investments, First Nations are strengthening coastal communities, diversifying local economies, and stewarding lands, waters, and life.

Benefits and Work Culture

Coast Funds offers a competitive salary ($80,000 to $85,000 range), complemented by a strong benefits package that includes four weeks of vacation to start, health and dental coverage, life insurance, paid sick leave, RRSP contributions, a mobile phone plan, budget and leave for professional development, and opportunities for continued learning and professional growth.

For this role, we are open to connecting with candidates who may require a hybrid, remote or contractual arrangement.

Following the announcement of the Great Bear Sea PFP, Coast Funds is growing its team to deliver new financing and services for First Nations. There’s never been a better time to join us in serving First Nations and supporting their work to strengthen coastal communities and protect the lands, waters, and life in their territories.

---

How to Apply

Individuals meeting the criteria above are encouraged to email their resume and cover letter to Eau-Vive Heppenstall, Senior Director, Programs and Operations, using the link below.

APPLY NOW >

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Given the nature of our work, we will be giving priority to Indigenous candidates and then to candidates who have worked with Indigenous organizations and bring a solid understanding of Indigenous practices, traditions, and worldviews.