Blue Carbon Technical Director

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 preferably in Singapore, or in CI’s Asia-Pacific country offices (Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Fiji, New Zealand, Cambodia, Japan).

Over the last decade, Conservation International (CI) has developed a comprehensive program with a focus on the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses), grounded in their mitigation, adaptation, and climate resilience value. The International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) is committed to advancing the science and support systems essential for realizing the full potential of blue carbon in combating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and providing critical support to threatened coastal communities. Through collaboration with governments, scientists, organizations, and local communities, the IBCI aims to develop and disseminate efficient policies, financing, and implementation strategies for blue carbon ecosystems across three key areas: research and science innovation, developing multi-disciplinary capacity in blue carbon, and creating global networks to implement blue carbon programs and projects. 

We are currently seeking an experienced and self-motivated individual for the position of Blue Carbon Technical Director to play a crucial role within the International Blue Carbon Institute. In this capacity, you will work with a global set of partners to lead the development and implementation of programs, projects, and activities under the research and science innovation pillar of the IBCI. Your responsibilities will include fostering and developing applied research, guiding project assessments, and leading and guiding the implementation of blue carbon initiatives. Your expertise will contribute to shaping the IBCI and CI's blue carbon 
strategies to unlock the full potential of blue carbon in addressing climate change, conserving biodiversity, restoring vital blue 
carbon ecosystems, and supporting communities globally.

The Blue Carbon Technical Director will be responsible for identifying and developing new blue carbon programs and initiatives aligned with IBCI priorities and objectives. The position will also support project origination, implementation, and execution primarily in Asia-Pacific, and globally, providing technical assistance and inputs to key partners. Projects will include the development of priority blue carbon tools and methodologies, essential applied blue carbon science, field assessments, and research in support of blue carbon policy and implementation. The successful candidate should possess knowledge and experience related to climate change, blue carbon ecosystems, and habitat restoration, as well as experience in the development and management of blue carbon-related projects. You will work with the Senior Director, IBCI, and other staff, playing a senior role in fundraising for IBCI, including developing project proposals and actively pursuing sources of funding. 

The candidate must demonstrate a record of working productively with external partners in academia, the private sector, government, and/or civil society. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of the IBCI, you will work with a dynamic team of scientists, collaborate with international partners, and drive impactful change at a global level. As appropriate and needed, you will build and leverage strategic alliances with NGOs, businesses, or other entities that can further IBCI and CI’s mission. 

The ideal candidate should be comfortable working as part of a highly networked, globally distributed team with CI staff and partners, requiring strong collaboration around resourcing and execution. You will directly manage staff and have multiple lines of responsibility for work conducted by partners and staff from other CI divisions and regions. You will work closely with country leaders and field programs, as well as the Conservation Finance Division, Center for Natural Climate Solutions (NCS), Regional Field Divisions, Center for Oceans, and other relevant Conservation International divisions. Demonstrated capacity for mentoring and managing staff and leading and working within highly networked teams is essential. 

The final position and salary will be commensurate with your experience and expertise.

RESPONSIBILITIES

IBCI Project Portfolio Development: 

• In close collaboration with the IBCI Senior Director, CI’s blue carbon and Asia NCS teams (as well as other key partners), develop a portfolio of projects that advance the objectives of the IBCI and are aligned with CI’s broader blue carbon program. These projects will include elements spanning applied science, policy, field project implementation, and blue carbon finance. This will include: 
  • Working with project teams in the identification, evaluation, and development of proposed IBCI projects to assess feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with organizational objectives. 
    
  • Ensuring the effective implementation of approved IBCI projects, through highest quality deliverables and maximum impact outcomes. 
    
  • Developing and leading project implementation for specific priority projects. 
    
  • Co-developing finance mechanisms for conserving, restoring, and managing blue carbon ecosystems, in collaboration with CI teams and partners. 
• Provide regular monitoring and reporting on IBCI project impacts using known metrics. 
  
• Work closely with the Center for Natural Climate Solutions and Climate Finance teams in support of the origination, assessment, and delivery of regional blue carbon projects. 
  
• Work with collaborators and partners to ensure publication of findings in reputable scientific journals. 
  
• Author and/or contribute to writing and editing technical reports, manuals, handbooks, and guidelines relating to blue carbon methodologies. 
  
• Represent the IBCI and CI at international conferences and events to share outputs, lessons learned and strengthen CI’s leadership in blue carbon. 

Collaboration and Capacity Building:

• Foster collaborative relationships with governments, scientists, NGOs, and local communities, promoting knowledge-sharing and capacity-building efforts. 
  
• Work closely with the blue climate and IBCI capacity-building team to develop training programs and resources for blue carbon practitioners and communities, enhancing their skills and understanding. 
  
• Support and provide technical advice and input on blue carbon science and build capacity across CI teams and staff and, where appropriate, external partners and collaborators, through training workshops, and public events (for specialized and general audiences). 
  
• Enthusiastically and effectively represent the IBCI and CIs broader Blue Climate program with internal and external partners.
  

Staff and People Management:

• Provide empathetic, clear, and inspiring leadership, mentoring, and guidance for staff directly reporting to the position, from the IBCI and across CI. 
  
• Provide key leadership, including robust contributions to strategy development, planning processes, fundraising, team initiatives/special projects, reporting, and communication efforts as needed. 
  

Fundraising & Budget Management:

• Ensure clear, robust management of IBCI financial resources, specifically related to projects under the management of this position. This includes working with project partners to develop robust budgets in collaboration with CI’s finance staff. 
  
• Assist with the identification of potential funding sources, including grants, donors, corporate partnerships, and individual supporters. 
  
• Work with the Senior Director, IBCI, and CI’s partnerships and development teams to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure funds for IBCI’s work across three work areas of applied research and science innovation programs, capacity development, and network building. 
  
• Develop funding proposals for grants, donors, corporate partnerships, and individual supporters. 
  

Communications:

• Collaborate with the IBCI and CI communications teams to effectively socialize research findings, project updates, and blue carbon initiatives to a diversity of relevant audiences, including decision-makers, donors, financiers, and scientists. 
  
• Provide scientific input and quality control to the communications team for internal and external facing communications on blue carbon and for resources and collaterals produced by the IBCI. 

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a full-time, flexible hybrid position. 
  
• Frequent travel (~20-30%) within the region will be required, with travel to remote locations with field conditions. 
  
• Flexibility in working hours are required to accommodate time differences between CI’s headquarters and international field offices located in multiple time zones.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, ecology, environmental science, conservation or related discipline. 
  
• 7 or more years of relevant work experience with demonstrated expertise in coastal blue carbon ecosystems. 
  
• Clear passion for achieving human well-being and conservation of biodiversity. 
  
• Extensive experience and knowledge of blue carbon ecosystems, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation and restoration, with a proven track record of related impactful research, publications and/or project implementation. 
  
• Strong organizational and project management skills and experience, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines in highly dynamic environment, experience in the global conservation, NGO, advocacy or related not-for-profit arena will be considered favorably. • A record of success partnering with, and influencing key stakeholders and building strong partnerships across public and private sectors and civil society. 
  
• Excellent analytical, research, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific information effectively to diverse relevant audiences. 
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire interdisciplinary teams, driving collaboration and achieving results. 
  
• Proven success in effectively working with diverse teams across regions of the world and engaging with staff. 
  
• High level of independence, able to assess changing situations, prioritize, and work in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines. 
  
• Enthusiasm and capacity for learning scientific and related basis for specific conservation outcomes as needed to support policy priorities and processes. 
  
• Ability to work effectively as a member of and team leader within a highly functioning network team in complex and dynamic programs, involving multiple internal and external stakeholders. 
  
• Superb oral and written communication skills including experience communicating for broad variety of audiences, including academic, media, and fund-raising. 

Preferred

The following qualifications will be considered favorably: 

• A PhD or advanced degree.
• Experience implementing conservation programs in the field. 
  
• Experience working experience with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. 
  
• Language skills: Bahasa, Tagalog or other Southeast Asian languages is a plus. Spanish, Portuguese or French also desirable.

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.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.