Indigenous Conservation Leadership Fellow

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Conservation International

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Arlington, VA, United States

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Fellowship Program Manager – Indigenous Social Inclusion

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

As part of the GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) and CI’s Center for Communities and Conservation (CCC), the Inclusive Conservation Leadership Fellow will work across CI's suite of growing indigenous fellowship programs those housed in CCC (ICI Fellows, ITPP Fellows, DGM, and Rural Women's Fellowship Program) and connect and collaborate with the additional CI fellowship programs Amazonia Verde Women's Fellowship, Sue Tei and the Blue Nature Alliance fellows among others, to elevate the voices and opportunities for indigenous leaders and their leadership. The Fellow will directly support the development of the GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative Fellows program and work to consolidate existing fellowships and processes within CCC and support the development and learning through a community of practice across CI's Indigenous fellowship programs. The aim of this fellowship is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how CI and partners can support indigenous leadership and capacity development and how we can more effectively we can continue to work with and support some 50 former indigenous fellows who have already passed through our fellowship experience.

This position is expected to be a 2-year assignment, with the possibility of an extension.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Design, develop and articulate the menu of indigenous fellowships across CCC and within the institution, in particular, the GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative Fellowship to support IPLC leadership and the next generation of IPLC leaders.
  • Consult and design application calls for IPLC fellows.
  • Develop a Community of Practice among existing and former fellows so that knowledge and leadership building is ongoing and allows both CI and fellows to measure impact.
  • Promote the engagement and work of IPLC fellows writing the institution, policy fora, and among donors.
  • Collaborate with and leverage relationships with other IPLC fellowship programs such as Nia Tero Fellows, National Geographic, UNHCHR, and the GEF small grants programs to support training, meetings, and learning across fellowships.
  • Develop an IMPACT report on CI's investment and engagement through our Indigenous Fellowship programs and a vision and strategy for CI's indigenous fellowship program over the next 5 years.
  • Technical management of indigenous fellows' programs, including but not limited to developing application materials, drafting fellowship agreements, serving as the main point of contact for fellows in the implementation of their fellowships, publicizing fellow's work within and outside of CI, and receiving and reviewing technical and financial reports.
  • Manage external grants made by ITPP to indigenous peoples' organizations by drafting agreements, communicating agreement terms, receiving, and reviewing financial reports and working with the finance and operations team to ensure financial compliance.
  • Support the development of communications materials and social media to support fellows.
  • Under the GEF Inclusive Conservation initiative, support the development, design, and reporting of the ICI Policy fellows.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • The position may be in or connected to one of CI's main regional hubs.
  • Up to 30% travel.
  • Comfortable working out of doors for extended periods.
  • Ability to work outside the normal work schedule to meet project deadlines.
  • Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
  • For the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, all US-based Conservation International staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This mandatory vaccine requirement applies to all staff working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site in CI US offices. Effective January 4, 2022, new hires will be required to provide proof of full vaccination with a government-approved vaccine as a condition for employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations or exceptions related to medical or religious reasons will be considered. Candidates are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and or experience in social sciences, conservation or development studies, international policy, environmental education, or a related field.
  • 5-7 years of experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in designing and developing programs with indigenous peoples around leadership and learning.
  • Experience in design and implementation of training tools and programs.
  • Working familiarity with indigenous people's networks and global and regional organizations.
  • Understanding of conservation issues related to ecosystem health, human well-being, and indigenous people's rights.
  • Understanding of global policy issues related to indigenous peoples' issues, particularly related to rights, climate change, and conservation.
  • Knowledge of the following topics: Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, including REDD+, Green Economies, Rights-Based Approach, Social Safeguards, Community Conserved Areas, and indigenous people's rights.
  • Demonstrated skills in intercultural communication and experience engaging multiple audiences.
  • Working familiarity with all Microsoft Office Programs.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
  • Written and spoken fluency in Spanish, French, or Portuguese.

Preferred

  • Master's Degree.
  • Be from or have close relationships with Indigenous communities.
  • Experience in building networks.
  • Experience in cross-cultural communication.
  • Experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in implementing and managing programs engaging and working with indigenous peoples' organizations and communities.

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 Employer Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled