Director, Policy and Incentives

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 is based in Johannesburg-South Africa, or Nairobi-Kenya. Candidates must be eligible to work in these countries.  

The Director for Policy and Incentives, is responsible for developing and implementing CI’s strategy to influence international, regional, national, and subnational policies essential to achieving CI’s strategy with a focus on the Africa region. They will be responsible for setting policy goals, refining a strategy to achieve those goals, overseeing focal areas of work, leading the development of relevant policy positions in collaboration with country teams, and taking technical leadership on key topics that will vary over time.

The Director will provide thought leadership on policies for the institution and the regional leadership, will serve as a regional spokesperson on these topics, and will advise other parts of the institution on the implications of policy for their work and vice versa. They will represent CI to external organizations, including media, negotiators, policymakers, civil society,  donors, communities, etc, as appropriate. They will also contribute to Global Policy and Government Affairs planning, strategy development, and budget processes, as well as fundraising for policy objectives. The Director will have the opportunity to be a part of CI’s Center for Policy and Incentives (CPI), reporting to the SVP of this team, while being embedded in CI’s Africa Field Division, with a regional headquarters in Nairobi.  This position may be based in Nairobi or in Johannesburg.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead CI’s policy engagement in Africa and work collaboratively with CI country offices on the implementation of the two types of policy engagement efforts essential to CI’s Africa strategy:
  • Policies that enable new finance flows to nature, including but not limited to policies that enable financial instruments and markets for nature; policies that enable the generation and trading of carbon credits from nature; and reform of incentives that are negatively impacting nature.
  • Policies that encourage actions supporting CI’s landscape-level priorities in Africa, including implementation of national and subnational climate and biodiversity policies, such as NDCs, NAPs, as well as biodiversity policies such as National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
• Active participation with CI’s policy engagement with international policies such as the UNFCCC, UNCBD, and the High Seas Treaty, as needed. Lead CI’s policy advocacy strategy for engaging the African countries and negotiating blocs in service of CI’s policy positions and priorities in these forums.
• Represent CI, as appropriate, on relevant coalitions and initiatives in the region.
• Contribute to CPI planning, strategy development, budget processes, fundraising, and the development of strategic partnerships.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Significant travel in the African region and beyond (at least 30%).
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in environmental, climate, similar policy or law, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• 7 or more years of work experience in a related field and 2 or more years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in policy drafting and policy design processes. 
• Expert knowledge and expertise in climate, biodiversity, and ocean policies in the region.
• Established relationships in the African regional and national policy community.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, able to form collaborative working relationships with multiple groups, internal and external to the organization. Strong diplomacy and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage time and diverse activities. Highly independent worker able to assess a situation, make necessary decisions, and execute them.
• Experience leading effective teams.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in environmental, climate, or similar policy or law. 
• Foreign language skills are a plus.

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

Application Deadline: May 30, 2025  (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.