Innovation Funding Specialist

Climate-KIC is seeking an Innovation Funding Specialist in Bologna, Italy, to drive financial innovation for climate action. The role involves analyzing funding needs, designing fundraising strategies, engaging stakeholders, and collaborating with financial institutions. The specialist will assess project viability, foster public-private collaborations, and provide guidance on financing options. This full-time position is integral to the Capital & Investment team, focusing on mobilizing finance for innovative climate solutions.
About Us
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We are Europe's foremost climate innovation initiative, entrusted by the European Commission to catalyse transformation through innovation. Headquartered in Amsterdam, with circa 160 people distributed all over the EU, Climate-KIC leads and orchestrates innovation with a community of more than 400.
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About The Role
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A key part of our work is financial innovation, where we help local leaders identify and secure the different types of finance they require (both public and private) to pursue ambitious climate action. Our finance mobilisation work is rapidly expanding - it now covers cities, regional adaptation, and agri-food. We are looking to add an experienced financial professional to focus on driving forward key deals that will enable us to move further and faster.
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Key Responsibilities
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- Analyse funding needs expressed by individual innovation projects and integrate these into a wider funding plan. - Design and implement a fundraising strategy that matches these needs to suitable instruments and attracts multiple stakeholders to invest in the integrated funding plan. - Engage key stakeholders and manage funding partnerships. - Act as key point of contact on financial innovation on projects. - Collaborate with investment innovation partners to build a strong community of practice.
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Typical Tasks
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- Assess projects identified by EIT Climate-KIC teams for financial viability and provide advice on financial mechanisms. - Foster collaboration between public and private sector financial institutions to develop large-scale investment programmes. - Provide guidance and education to public sector employees around financing options. - Map financial and market dynamics and identify financial innovation opportunities.
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Key Working Relationships
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- Capital & Investment team - you will join the EIT Climate-KIC Capital & Investment team and work closely alongside the Investment Lead on finance mobilisation.