Indigenous Knowledge and Inclusive Finance Fellow

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position could be based in Bolivia, Brazil (remote), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Suriname, or Peru

The Fellowship program hosts conservation Fellows who work to create dynamic and unconventional approaches to address barriers to sustainability and contribute to a shift in how nature is valued and protected. These fellowships provide unparalleled opportunities for intensive focus and achievement at the intersection of climate and conservation, nature and peoples. The fellow will develop a framework to develop and lead the establishment of enabling conditions to implement conservation and innovative funding models based on Indigenous knowledge systems in Asia, Africa, and Latin American regions through strategic partnership development and multisectoral engagement. They will also assist in identifying opportunities to design inclusive climate finance and policy engagement that elevate the role of Indigenous knowledge systems and date in funding and partnership models with and for IPs and LCs. The fellow will work collaboratively with CI’s programs and divisions to undertake the generate data and evidence that will support conservation and climate finance policies and engagements.

As a member of CI’s Fellowship program, the selected candidate will have opportunities to expand the breadth of their professional skills and experience through collaboration with a cohort of exceptional conservation scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, working throughout the institution, with opportunities for co-learning across new areas of study and practice, and personal development. 

Lands, forests, oceans, and other landscapes stewarded by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) include some of the highest-carbon and biodiversity-rich ecosystems essential for realizing humanity’s global ambitions for a sustainable future. Yet recognition, resources, and financial support for Indigenous and community stewardship remain minute compared to their contribution to global conservation and climate solutions and their linked financial/funding mechanisms. Traditional knowledge and ancestral practices of IPs and LCs are not appropriately incorporated into these solutions and mechanisms. IPs and LCs have identified a strong need for evidence and knowledge to highlight their contributions to influence the ongoing policy and finance discussions, as well as the development of more inclusive funding development and management, at the international, national, and global levels. Indigenous knowledge will be essential for any solutions addressing climate, biodiversity, and nature crisis. The effectiveness, scale, and positive impacts of these solutions on nature and peoples will require expertise and practices to build and facilitate collaborative dialogues and actions between IPs-LCs and different sectors including donors, governments, CSOs, multilateral, academies, and others.

Responding to these needs, the newly established Global Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Center (GIPLCC) at Conservation International (CI) seeks an Indigenous fellow with a combined knowledge, practices, and experience connecting Indigenous knowledge and inclusive finance as well as existing network of partners to support the long-term strategy of the GIPLCC, specifically focused on new funding and partnership and conservation models driven by ancestral knowledge and practices. The Indigenous fellow will support the GIPLCC to maintain and enhance collaborative internal and external actions across CI’s programs and divisions as well as expand strategic partnerships that could assist efforts to reimagine conservation by combining Indigenous knowledge systems, and inclusive financial mechanisms.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy Development: Build and refine strategies for culture, knowledge, and exchange, and Nature finance and partnership thematic pillars through partnership with CI programs and divisions as well as IPs and LCs partnering with the GIPLCC.
• Indigenous Finance and Capacity Building: Engage and partner with Indigenous Peoples networks and organizations to identify and facilitate opportunities to support their financial strategic plans and finance mechanisms including engagement with donors, multilateral, investors, companies, and other relevant actors interested in working and partnering with IPs and LCs. Working with GIPLCC program leads, they assist in collaborative work with IPs and LCs to support their innovative Indigenous-led funding proposals. They provide technical assistance on finance and budgeting to Indigenous organizations and develop informative and educational resources for potential donors and funders on Indigenous capacities and best practices.
• Map Indigenous and traditional conservation models: Collect and analyze qualitative data to identify 1-2 key Indigenous and traditional conservation models specific to CI country programs in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and develop a strategic plan to integrate these models into practice and implementation of program activities highlighting the contribution of IPs and LCs territories to restoration, conservation, and sustainable management.
• Build knowledge exchange platform: Establish a collaborative leadership network of IPs and LCs, Indigenous-led Research Centers, and other partners to i) support capacity development and data/ information to inform IPs & LCs decisions related to their territories; and ii) to inform and guide donors, investors, and strategic partners on ways to accelerate IPs & LC direct finance
• Funding development: Identify funding opportunities and prepare proposals collaboratively with IPs and LCs to respond to their needs, interests, and values using existing IPs-LCs financial mechanisms at regional, national or subnational levels.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a typical office environment. Working remotely is an option.
• Some travel - up to 10% may be necessary. 
• Flexibility in the work schedule to accommodate time differences between HQ and the region may be necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Social Science, Indigenous knowledge, Environmental Science, Business and finance, or similar areas.
• 7 or more years of experience in research on wide-ranging topics related to Indigenous Peoples and local community finance, governance of lands, culture, and knowledge systems, climate change, and conservation sciences.
• Excellent skills in research and strategic planning and development.
• Proven ability working with Indigenous and local communities in areas related to Indigenous knowledge, inclusive finance, climate, and conservation with existing trusted connections and experience working with Indigenous and local communities' networks or international fora (UNPFII...).
• Experience working with major donors.
• Demonstrated skills related to research including, research design, data gathering through surveys and interviews, and analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including technical writing skills. 
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and work well across cultures as well as within and across organizations.
• Ability to organize meetings and gatherings for the formation of networks, platforms, or communities of practice.

Preferred

• Masters degree. 
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative data analysis, management, and dissemination.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development and implementation.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages commonly spoken in the tropics.
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.