BACKGROUND:

 

Grow Asia was established by the World Economic Forum in 2015 in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) in response to the urgent need to transform food systems to be more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient to climate change. As a multi-stakeholder platform, Grow Asia works with more than 700 global and regional partners to design and implement market driven solutions across Southeast Asia. We do this by convening leading decision makers from public, private, and civil society organizations, mobilizing partnerships and blended funding models, and delivering best practice through the implementation of collaborative public-private projects at a field-, national-, and regional level.

 

The Grow Asia network comprises our regional office in Singapore and five country chapters in Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. The network operates through 44 national and sectoral Working Groups and is already reaching more than 3.7 million smallholders across Southeast Asia with market led solutions. In 2020, Grow Asia was accredited as an Entity Associated with ASEAN. This accreditation recognizes the important role Grow Asia plays in the region, particularly in facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships and acting as a delivery mechanism for ASEAN programs.

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THE ROLE: 

Grow Asia is seeking an exceptional individual to lead global outreach and engagement with philanthropic partners and high-potential donors.  The successful candidate will be responsible for nurturing existing relationships with partners such as The Rockefeller Foundation, WEF, and AVP, while developing tailored strategies to mobilize new capital and forge new Public-Private-Philanthropy partnerships (4P) across Southeast Asia. 

 

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Regional Lead, Philanthropy will work closely with Grow Asia’s Head of Programs and Head of Partnership to lead the scale up of Grow Asia’s newest climate fund - GrowBeyond while seizing new opportunities to guide and shape innovative financing for nature-based solutions that will fund in-country pilots and impact at scale. This is a strategic and highly visible role that will shape Grow Asia’s ambition to leverage USD 1bn of blended green finance for agri-SMEs by 2030.  

 

We are looking for a seasoned and well-networked fundraiser with a strong sense of self-motivation and purpose who thrives in a highly collaborative, dynamic team environment. The successful candidate should bring experience in designing and implementing innovative finance solutions across multiple disciplines and countries and who is passionate about delivering sustainable impact.  

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RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to: 

 

• Lead the strategic vision and fundraising plan for GrowBeyond and engage with Grow Asia’s public, private, and philanthropic partners at a global, regional, and national level 

• Identify and support early engagement to new investors and donors (commercial, concessional, guarantors, and TA facility) including public, private, and philanthropy sector. 

• Lead and supervise market research and analysis to support the selection of value chains and pilot projects in Southeast Asia with a focus on Regenerative Agriculture 

• Design a targeted fundraising strategy to leverage commercial and concessional capital to pilot proof of concept projects (starting with Indonesia, Philippines, and Viet Nam) 

• Actively identify investment prospects in the climate finance and nature capital space (with a focus on agri-food SMEs) through market research, networking, and high-net-worth connections 

• Work closely with Partners at WEF and Bain & Co. to conduct comprehensive due diligence on blended finance models encompassing financial analysis, operational assessment, and risk evaluation. 

• Lead the development of concept notes and grant proposals and contribute to other resource mobilization efforts as required 

• Collaborate with Operations and Finance team to prepare and finalize contracts with partners and donors.  

• Stay informed about industry trends, competitive landscapes, and macroeconomic factors affecting stakeholders and investors 

• Engage with partners and stakeholders, providing insights into investment strategies and blended finance 

• Guide and support Program teams to implement specific country-level pilots and closed loop projects with commercial and con, including value chain selection, workshops, and networking events 

• Develop a foundational group of senior advisors who will support the success of GrowBeyond  

• Engage with regional policymaking bodies (e.g. ASEAN Secretariat) to inform policy dialogues, consultations and other processes  

• Work closely with the Communications team to identify strategic communication opportunities at the national, regional and international levels, including social media 

• Represent Grow Asia in relevant internal and external conferences and events 

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Impact Measurement and Reporting : 

• Oversee the development of monitoring and evaluation processes, including impact, financial, and risk metrics and prepare monthly / quarterly / annual performance reports 

• Contribute to industry research and deal databases relevant to the existing and potential investments 

• Lead reporting processes to donors and partners; contribute to organization-wide M&E reporting processes  

• Support alignment of program outcomes to regional and national policy and targets 

• Identify and develop tools, systems, processes, and approaches that continuously improve technical excellence and impact to Grow Asia’s programs in Southeast Asia 

• Lead on developing insight reports, toolkits and case studies to document learnings for Grow Asia, ASEAN, and the World Economic Forum. 

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Team Leadership : 

• Appoint and supervise program managers and consultants delivering regional, national, field-level activities  

• Oversee effective communication pathways between regional and country-level staff to ensure ongoing alignment between global, regional, and national activities 

• Contribute to regional team meetings, both strategic and operational 

• Work closely with all staff to integrate a gender-inclusive approach across all funds and investments  

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THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT: 

1. Masters’ Degree in business, economics, finance, or other investment-related area 

2. 8 - 10 years relevant professional experience in a sustainability role related to the finance sector, ideally focused on climate change, agriculture, and/or forestry 

3. A proven track record of successfully engaging with philanthropies and financial institutions on implementing ESG and impact methodologies; 

4. Credible expertise and knowledge about the intersection between banking, finance, and impact investing and the role of philanthropy in de-risking environment and sustainable development issues; 

5. Deep knowledge of sustainable finance taxonomies, frameworks and standards and the ability to analyse sustainability issues and to effectively communicate these to donors and partners; 

6. Experience in areas such as climate/natural capital risk assessment, sustainable supply chain management, soft commodities and green financing is an asset; 

7. Experience in private sector collaboration and blended financing for agri-SMEs is an advantage – i.e. biodiversity finance, nature-based solutions, bankable project origination and structuring.

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The successful candidate will have: 

1. Expansive network in philanthropy and inclusive finance in Asia; 

2. A proven record of self-motivation, strategic planning, result delivery as well as project and budget management; 

3. Excellent communicator with outstanding presentation skills in written and spoken English, with other Asian languages an asset; 

4. Effective computer skills in MS Office and other relevant digital skills. 

5. Skilled in team leadership and management of diverse teams across geographies 

6. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interface at all levels of seniority both internally and with senior stakeholders in the public, private and civil society sectors 

7. High level of integrity and commitment to socio-economic development and food systems transformation 

 

 

Location: Singapore 

Travel requirement: Up to 40%, mainly within Southeast Asia 

Start date: Immediate 

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WHAT’S ON OFFER: 

In addition to a competitive salary, this role provides a unique opportunity to (1) develop your capabilities and broaden your skill set in an organization that supports continuous growth, (2) work with a highly motivated, collaborative, efficient and compassionate team that also values autonomy, (3) be part of a dynamic, well-respected and credible entity in Southeast Asia, (4) connect with the World Economic Forum and its Food Action Alliance, participating in the global agenda on food security and agricultural development, and (5) contribute to social, economic and environmental progress in Southeast Asia and beyond. 

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HOW TO APPLY: 

Qualified applicants are invited to submit the application form along with your resume, cover letter and writing samples by 24 August 2025. Due to the volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

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As a multi-stakeholder platform, we believe all voices matter, and we actively seek to bring them to the table. Aligned with this ethos, Grow Asia is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity.