Managing Director, Natural Climate Solutions Roadmap Initiative
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 Arlington-VA (preferred), Seattle-WA, or potentially in one of our CI offices in Africa, Europe, or the Americas. Please view a full list of our offices here
The climate emergency is already here. The average temperature on Earth has now risen 1.2°C above preindustrial levels and there is a 50:50 chance of exceeding 1.5°C within the next five years. Avoiding this threshold and the corresponding acceleration of economic and societal disruption will require solving one of the world’s paramount climate challenges: the destruction of nature from unsustainable agriculture, forestry, and other land uses.
Conservation International’s (CI) Exponential Roadmap for Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) lays out how we can achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector – from both natural and working lands – by 2030. It comprises eight distinct "action tracks" focused on protection of natural ecosystems, climate-smart management of working lands, and natural ecosystem restoration. Together, these tracks hold the potential to mitigate 13.1 Gt of greenhouse gas emissions annually. CI and its partners are now engaged in a multi-million-dollar NCS Roadmap Initiative to mainstream the global goal of a net zero land sector and both inspire and help deliver the innovations necessary to overcome bottlenecks for exponentially scaling investment in, and implementation of, natural climate solutions.
As the Managing Director, NCS Roadmap Initiative, you will play a pivotal, multi-faceted role in proactively managing this global program, serving as a key ambassador for the Roadmap and its insights with key internal and external audiences, and providing technical expertise in leading and communicating new research on NCS and its role in global and regional mitigation pathways and plans. Working with our diverse, highly interdisciplinary team, you will lead, coordinate and/or support, as needed, four key applied science and science-to-policy/action workstreams, that collectively deliver on the Roadmap’s global vision: mainstreaming ambitious land sector goals among key actors; accelerating the pipeline of high-quality NCS interventions that deliver key non-carbon benefits like biodiversity and climate adaptation; accelerating demand for NCS amongst governments, communities and the private sector, including through the development of national and regional NCS Roadmaps; and filling rate-limiting science and data gaps to accelerate implementation of NCS around the world.
As such you will have extensive experience leading and managing complex, multidisciplinary initiatives, inspiring trust by being grounded in high-quality science and synthesis, and effectively communicating the urgent need and immense opportunity presented by nature as a climate solution. You will continue to build and maintain a respectful and proactive work culture for a diverse, highly collaborative team that spans CI’s Field Programs, Global Programs, and other Divisions.
If you're passionate about applied science that benefits people through nature conservation and climate action, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to a sustainable future. Join us in making a lasting impact on our planet's well-being.
RESPONSIBILITIES
WORKING CONDITIONS
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Preferred
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.