Job Vacancies at Conservation International

POSITION SUMMARY

CI seeks a Global Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Fellow to integrate equity, inclusion, and diversity in conservation. Reporting to the Vice President of Project Delivery and Monitoring (PDM) and working closely with the Senior Director of GEDI. The GEDI Fellow will have a unique opportunity to partner in the development of CI’s organizational GEDI plan.

Leveraging their expertise in field-based conservation and the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the GEDI Fellow will scope the key drivers of imbalance in the projects where CI works around the world. This may include identifying substantive barriers related to colonialization, weak governance or corruption, or lack of inclusion or discrimination of vulnerable or underrepresented populations. The Fellow will clearly define and frame what GEDI within conservation looks like to advance our mission of achieving fair and equitable conservation and human well-being results. The successful candidate will have the knowledge and collaboration skills to evolve and partner on our institutional GEDI effort with other key stakeholders.

The GEDI Fellowship is part of the Lui-Walton Technical Fellowship program, which requires a two (2) year commitment. The program engages experts to provide fresh thinking and extensive leadership to CI's programs around the world. CI provides opportunities to expand the breadth of the Fellow’s professional skills and experience through collaboration with a global network of subject matter experts across disciplines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop an understanding of current programs, practices, and policies that underpin GEDI-related efforts both within CI and extending through our project work in 28 countries.
• Learn from, partner, and build on our work to advance internal GEDI practices, our rights-based approach and safeguards project design and implementation efforts, and our Gender Program and Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program.
• Assess CI programs to define the entry points and good practice standards for integrating and embedding equity, inclusion, diversity in conservation.
• Scope interventions and potential activities to be considered by CI field projects.
• Work with CI field projects to both examine and adjust the operating assumptions underlying the theory of change, providing guidance and lessons learned to improve them.
• Develop and test project activities with indicators that address GEDI imbalances in select countries to support lessons learned and amplifying of results across the organization.
• Support the design and roll-out of CI’s safeguard system by guiding GEDI-related policy and compliance, including guidance on how to set up safeguard screenings and conduct project compliance reviews.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position may be based in one of CI’s major offices such as Belgium, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Nairobi, Singapore, or Arlington, VA United States
• The position may require up to 15% international travel and field site visits when COVID-restrictions are lifted.
• Ability to work alternative hours to meet, consult and advise staff in multiple timezones
• Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and field-based experience equivalent to 7+ years of professional experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and field-based conservation or equivalent combination
• Theoretical and practical GEDI and conservation experience with an ability to work comfortably and help further CI’s mission of benefitting conservation and human well-being
• Expert oral and written communication skills, specifically as it relates to communicating to a variety of internal and external stakeholders about diversity, equity and inclusion, and connections to the conservation agenda.
• Comfortable presenting to large, diverse audiences. 
• Ability to speak English and ideally one of CI’s other primary languages: English (required) and Spanish, French, Portuguese or Indonesian
• Comfort, confidence, and success in working with different cultures from around the world and working with historically underrepresented groups.
• Organizational perspectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and an appreciation of the complexities of inter/intracultural interaction.
• Critical perspectives on the history of the conservation movement, such as processes for nurturing decolonial actions, as well as other drivers of GEDI imbalances, such as corruption/weak governance, etc.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, and demonstrated ability to understand, evaluate, and interpret a broad range of social/cultural, political, historical, economic, scientific, and non-technical information used in environmental conservation, management, and governance.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex and ambiguous information into actionable strategies and plans.
• Able to develop and assess the theory of change, workplans/action items, and scopes of work related to GEDI and conservation.
• Familiarity with social and environmental safeguard concepts and application in the context of wider project management experience.
• Ability to work independently
• Adaptive management skills and flexibility in problem-solving

Preferred

• Direct experience with or significant knowledge of the people and processes that direct international organizations with field operations in developing countries.
• Academic experience in GEDI desirable, or otherwise able to demonstrate strong competence in GEDI theory with some research experience.

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Position summary

The Global Lead is responsible for leading a team of carbon finance professionals and working across CI to source and finance a portfolio of high quality natural climate solutions projects, creating industry leading partnerships with the private sector and connecting with field programs to ensure delivery of ambitious climate and conservation targets.

To be successful, the Global Lead needs extensive knowledge and experience on climate change and environmental markets, as well as demonstrated experience in development of conservation finance and carbon deals, especially NCS (REDD+, blue carbon, restoration etc). The position is expected to source and develop industry leading NCS financing deals and manage a growing team to execute this vision. They must be able to articulate an actionable plan for rapidly scaling up our sales and marketing activities and comfortable sharing and driving that vision with Conservation InternationaL staff, leadership, and board, in high level forums, with external companies and partners, and with the implementing programs to drive ongoing buy-in, resourcing, and execution. The role will require a breadth of skills across a variety of topics including business management, project management, finance, science, policy, markets and technology.

The Global Lead will lead one of the core verticals of the Conservation Finance Division, and is expected to work closely with the Center for Natural Climate Solutions and relevant Conservation International divisions (in USA and Europe, and in field programs across the tropics). They report directly to the SVP for Conservation Finance.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a global team to finance Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) and/or carbon-crediting projects eligible under voluntary and compliance carbon schemes, including:

• Develop new distribution channels – both retail and B2B- for high quality (environmental and social) emission reductions and strategic partnerships meant to rapidly increase the pace of investment in Natural Climate Solutions.
• Connect with other corporate-facing divisions of CI to develop and maintain high-impact sustainability-focused partnerships and marketing campaigns.   
• Manage and build a team of corporate account leads focused on driving corporate climate action and incorporate NCS investment in Paris-aligned climate targets.
• Assist and/or lead on the development of strategies to ensure that CI continues to be the preferred partner for high quality NCS investments.

Support a global team to originate, structure, and finance new emission reduction and/or carbon-crediting projects eligible under voluntary and compliance carbon schemes, including:

• Together with the SVP, Carbon Fund Technical Director, and Field Programs, develop CI “flagship” carbon projects in the region that incorporate all aspects of high-quality NCS projects including deep local and indigenous community engagement and partnership, protection of all key ecological attributes, engagement of governments and other stakeholders, and implementation of robust monitoring and verification approaches.  
• Build high-quality project pipeline with key external partners including NGOs, governments, local communities and private developers; identify and engage a network of project developers, implementation partners and local and international NGOs; ensure high-quality NCS project pipeline with partners and facilitate monitoring and verification, high-quality technical standards and appropriate community and other safeguards. 
• Design and implement sub-national and/or jurisdictional carbon financing facilities in partnership with governments, NGOs, financial institutions and other strategic partners that provide governance and financial instruments to drive NBS in key geographies.     

Fundraising and External Engagement

• Contribute to CI’s Climate fundraising efforts to support the full implementation of the Climate strategy; communicate with strategic private sector partners and link NCS projects with external partners.
• Support development of major public (Global Environmental Facility, Green Climate Fund) fundraising proposals, including the Green Climate Fund work program, and advise on public funding programs with substantial NCS project components.
• Provide strategic thought leadership, including engagement at international forums, engagement with governments, and be an external spokesperson for CI on all things carbon and carbon markets. 

Working conditions

• The position may be based in Arlington, Virginia, New York, Bogota, Colombia; Brussels, Belgium; Nairobi, Kenya; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; or Singapore.
• Travel time up to 30%.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of ten years related experience and Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of advanced degrees and experience.
• Strong experience with climate-related issues, business development and fundraising, including experience with carbon transactions (origination and implementation) and track record of success in securing corporate climate partnerships
• Evidence of a focus on collaboration and strong network of individuals and institutions in restoration and climate, including experience convening a broad range of individuals
• Demonstrated carbon finance knowledge and experience, including voluntary markets, and use of high quality standards such as Verra, Climate Community & Biodiversity Standards, and/or the Gold Standard
• Ability to effectively work in an inclusive team across the full diversity of CI’s global organization
• Demonstrated track record of working effectively with multicultural, multidisciplinary teams to produce concrete results, including strong capacity to navigate diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges and opportunities
• Excellent oral and written skills in English

Preferred​​

• Experience working in and developing climate projects in developing countries
• Ability to communicate in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin or Bahasa Indonesia

Conservation International Values

We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.​

• Passion: Inspired by people and by nature, we are urgently compelled to drive change for a sustainable future. 
• Integrity: We are honest, transparent and accountable for our actions.
• Teamwork: We work together as one CI, recognizing that inclusion, collaboration and cooperation are fundamental to achieving a healthy and prosperous world for all.
• Respect: We respect each other and work to earn trust, valuing our diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
• Courage: We pursue our vision, taking bold action, persevering and overcoming challenges.
• Optimism: We are optimistic about the capacity of people to be caring, generous and brilliant, and believe that with partners, we can inspire humanity to create a better future.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled

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Position summary

With growing consensus that nature can provide at least 30% of the climate mitigation needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, and recognition that carbon removals from reforestation and restoration are the only scalable ‘technologies’ we have today to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, many global initiatives have enabled political commitments for restoration. But without models and demonstrations of effective restoration at scale, a majority of these commitments have not turned into action or generated substantial impact.

As a core component of its Climate Strategy, Conservation International has set ambitious targets for scaling restoration globally as a climate solution. The Restoration Projects Manager works with the Global Restoration Lead to orchestrate a range of approaches to achieve these targets. These include managing multi-country restoration programs, supporting portfolio expansion via project identification and development, building restoration capacity, and coordinating targeted actions to reduce barriers to the implementation of new and more effective restoration actions.

The Restoration Projects Manager manages the implementation of CI’s existing global strategy for restoration through coordinating with other CI staff and partners to strengthen creative partnerships to advance restoration. They organize meetings and engagements to deliver action and impact and works with Conservation International’s country teams and partners to translate global strategy into successful restoration projects on the ground. The successful candidate may also lead and support other projects involving Conservation International’s mission and fill other roles as needed for the team’s success.

To be successful, the Restoration Projects Manager needs extensive knowledge and experience in ecosystem restoration project management, as well as demonstrated experience working productively with external partners in the private sector, government, and civil society. They must have interest in working with multiple collaborators simultaneously to successfully fulfill CI’s strategy for implementing restoration at scale through coordination worldwide.

The Restoration Projects Manager works closely with Center for Natural Climate Solutions members and with Conservation International programs and partners around the world. They report directly to the Global Restoration Lead in the Center for Natural Climate Solutions.

Responsibilities

Program Management:

• Oversee the day-to-day management of Conservation International’s multi-country restoration programs
• Refine and implement clear criteria for restoration project identification, feasibility assessment, and project design. 
• Support the tracking, monitoring, and reporting of restoration activities from the country level to the institutional level.
• Coordinate participation by Center for Natural Climate Solutions staff, and other divisional or regional teams (as appropriate) in the internal co-creation and collaboration on a shared institutional approach to restoration.
• Manage investment-ready restoration projects focusing on sites with high climate mitigation value and co-benefits, identifying and overcoming barriers to scaling and success.
• Raise internal awareness of CI’s restoration work and research through written communication, webinars and other platforms as appropriate.
• Build and maintain key relationships aligned with CI’s restoration goals including with peer organizations and coalitions. 
• Organize events and meetings collaboratively with partners to advance progress towards CI’s restoration and Climate Strategy.
• Attend relevant external events on behalf of CI.

Research:

• Research and author technical restoration reports and products to advance CI’s restoration strategy.
• Develop strategies and tools for successful implementation and monitoring of CI restoration projects, in collaboration with country programs and other CI staff.
• Develop innovative research products and multilateral partnerships that shape restoration as a global climate solution, drive enhanced funding and resources towards restoration, and contribute to the advancement of CI’s expertise and credibility on restoration issues.

Capacity Building:

• Provide targeted restoration capacity building support and trainings to country programs
• Build and maintain strong working relationships between country restoration teams, the Center for Natural Climate Solutions, and other CI staff and partners
• Support country restoration teams in accessing the resources necessary for successful implementation of CI’s restoration strategy
• Coordinate communication and resource-sharing among country programs working to advance the restoration strategy, including but not limited to support on country specific restoration strategy development, monitoring and evaluation, staff and partner trainings, and in-field progress assessments. 

Working conditions

• This position can be based in the US (Arlington), Brussels, Nairobi, Singapore, or Bogotá
• Travel time up to 35%.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in environmental studies, environmental management, or forestry; or similar, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5-7 years of relevant work experience, preferably with a focus on restoration implementation across diverse and challenging contexts
• Project management experience working with multiple collaborators simultaneously to achieve ambitious, specific and time-bound commitments
• Strong proficiency with excel and other project tracking softwares and workflows
• Ability to effectively work in a team across the full diversity of CI’s global organization
• Experience convening a broad range of individuals and organizing events in multiple contexts
• Demonstrated track record of working effectively with multicultural, multidisciplinary teams to produce concrete results
• Experience in project management, coalition-building and field work in restoration
• Strong capacity to navigate diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges and opportunities
• Strong writing, communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred

• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, spatial data analysis and/or safeguards
• Ability to communication in Bahasa, Tagalog, Portuguese, and/or Spanish preferred

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Position summary

Conservation International is seeking a Senior Vice President for our Center for Sustainable Land and Waters to work collaboratively across our global organization to transform development pathways of landscapes and seascapes within priority jurisdictions in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and specific global commodity sectors. The successful candidate will bring a demonstrated track record of visionary leadership overseeing multi-disciplinary teams and programs for conservation success. They will bring an entrepreneurial spirit combined with business acumen to design, plan, and execute strategies for CI’s sustainable landscapes and seascapes priority, one of four strategic organizational priorities. This individual must bring a passion and appreciation for diverse perspectives, talents, and identities and work collaboratively and respectfully at all levels of CI, serving as a role model for CI’s core values.

The SVP oversees the programming and operational management of CI’s Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters, guiding CI’s global approach to delivering ecosystem health by aligning incentives to integrate conservation and sustainable production. The SVP will identify, develop and implement standards and best practices to effectively marshal the organization’s resources to achieve results on a global basis and ensure the Center’s staff have the tools and resources to be successful. The SVP is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, partnership development, resource mobilization, and communication with a diverse group of internal and external audiences in a dynamic work environment. The SVP will lead a global team and play a prominent leadership role in influencing key stakeholders internally, including other global and regional divisions, and externally, including public agencies, private corporations, donors, and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Global Programs, the SVP will serve as a leader in CI’s Global Programs Team, a grouping of technical divisions charged with driving programming strategies, supporting regional divisions and country programs, and accelerating and amplifying success to achieve ambitious organization-wide goals. The SVP is also a member of CI’s Leadership Team and serves as a corporate officer with the ability to bind CI to agreements, contracts, and grants.

Responsibilities

• Lead vision, strategy, planning, and delivery for CI’s Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters.
• Ensure high quality, effective and efficient design and delivery on CI’s strategies and initiatives related to Sustainable Landscapes and Seascapes.
• Develop high-impact partnerships with the private sector, government agencies, other NGOs, and multilateral institutions including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
• Define and manage the Center’s organizational structure, operations, and communications and coordination processes. 
• Lead the Center’s development of new initiatives, including the identification and pursuit of new resources for regional strategies and action plans.
• Communicate progress on strategies and action plans internally within CI and externally through media, social media, and other targeted means.
• Represent the Center and its work with the CI Board and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to country directors and regional technical staff.
• Fundraise and secure gifts at the multimillion-dollar level from government agencies, private sector corporations, foundation, and high net worth individuals (HNWI).
• Accountable for the overall administrative, financial, and staff functions of the Center and its programs, including ~ 20 team members and an average annual budget of $4-5M generated from a broad range of sources.
• Perform a leadership role as part of the Global Programs unit and the organization-wide Leadership Team shaping broader programmatic and institutional issues.
• Mentor and support staff in career development and play an active role, as appropriate, in the operations of specific Employee Resource Groups (ERG).
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Working conditions

• The position may be based in Arlington, Virginia, or other CI global hubs in Bogota, Colombia; Brussels, Belgium; Nairobi, Kenya; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; or Singapore.
• The position requires international travel for high-level meetings, fundraising, and other events.
• The position requires the ability to work non-traditional and extended hours to meet deadlines support a global workforce in multiple time zones. 

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of fifteen years related progressive management experience in conservation and/or natural resource management experience and Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of advanced degrees and experience. 
• A track record of conceptualizing and leading complex and high-impact conservation and/or development initiatives in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and/or Latin America.
• Extensive experience working within or in partnership with private-sector corporations.
• Ability to transform the results of research, analysis, application of decision-support tools and projects into broader collaborations with governments, the private sector, and civil society as a means to scale impact.
• Strong executive-level management experience including demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage, motivate, and hold to account a diversified and globally deployed team of conservation professionals.   
• A proven track record of successful fundraising at the $1M+ level including the ability to identify, cultivate, secure, and steward relationships with government agencies, private sector corporations, foundation, and HNWI.
• Strong interpersonal skills, presence, and ability to effectively build strong relationships both internally and externally.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and strategic planning skills, combined with clear, concise written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong sense of emotional intelligence and self-awareness and high ethical standards and integrity.
• Additional language skills in Spanish, Portuguese, French, or Bahasa Indonesia preferred.