Senior Manager, Blue Climate Strategy

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Conservation International

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Arlington, VA, United States

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Senior Manager, Blue Climate Strategy

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 open to CI offices based in the US (Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA or Honolulu- HI), the Americas, France, United Kingdom or Belgium. Please view a full list of our Officeshere.

Over the last 10 years, CI has developed a comprehensive Blue Climate program spanning over 20 countries dedicated to identifying and addressing science and policy priorities for oceans and climate globally. The Blue Climate program works closely with our field programs to design and implement innovative approaches to (1) implement nature-based climate adaptation solutions that improve coastal and marine communities’ well-being while also conserving ecosystems and biodiversity; and (2) conserve and restore coastal blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows) for climate mitigation. The Blue Climate program also has key leadership roles in advancing climate mitigation and adaptation priorities into national and regional coastal management, policy, and science through the International Blue Carbon Initiative, the International Partnership for Blue Carbon, and the Global Mangrove Alliance.

Under the supervision of the Director, Blue Climate Strategy, the Senior Manager, Blue Climate Strategy, is a self-motivated, creative team member integral to the long-term growth and success of CI’s Blue Climate program. The Senior Manager, Blue Climate Strategy will support the development, implementation, and management of strategic international policy-based approaches and programs to achieve CI’s Blue Climate goals spanning coastal resilience, green-gray infrastructure, blue carbon, and ocean-climate integration. Together with the Director, Blue Climate Strategy, they will work closely with CI’s Policy Center to ensure alignment with CI’s larger international and national policy programs and priorities, including providing technical inputs and guidance on ocean-climate issues. The position will work closely with teams across CI including the International Policy team, the Center for Oceans, the Center for Natural Climate Solutions, and the Conservation Finance Division to ensure alignment and integration of blue climate policy priorities with all related CI programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

International Blue Climate Policy:

  • Manage strategic policy initiatives to achieve CI’s Blue Climate goals spanning coastal resilience, green-gray infrastructure, blue carbon, and other ocean-climate areas which integrate and align international and national policy goals.
  • Work closely with CI’s international policy team to ensure ocean-climate strategies and approaches are tightly aligned with international and national policy programs and priorities.
  • Play a key role in project development, fundraising, implementation, communications, and broader capacity building for priority blue climate policy programs.
  • Contribute to the development of CI blue climate-related policy positions, policy briefs, etc.
  • Play a key role in coordinating blue climate representation within the CI delegation to international policy meetings related to climate, biodiversity, oceans, and others as relevant. Additionally, support CI strategic engagement in these spaces (e.g., side events, meetings with countries).
  • Support the development and management of relationships and partnerships with government representatives and like-minded organizations to accelerate and achieve CI blue climate policy objectives in close coordination with CI’s international policy team and relevant country programs.

Blue Climate Policy Advancement in Priority Countries:

  • In partnership with CI country programs and the International Policy team, support the development and implementation of country-specific blue climate policy objectives and programs which are aligned with and inform CIs Blue Climate and broader policy priorities.
  • Provide CI programs and partners with strategic technical support and/or capacity building for the integration of coastal ecosystems into UNFCCC Nationally Determined Contributions, national climate policy, greenhouse gas inventories, NBSAPs, and other related components of the ocean-climate policy.

Blue Climate Program:

  • Contribute to strategy development, planning processes, fundraising, team initiatives/special projects, reporting, and communication efforts as needed.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • International travel of 25% or more.
  • Requires working remotely with colleagues in other locations.
  • Occasional night and weekend work to accommodate colleagues in other time zones or high-level policy events.
  • 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
  • 5-7 years of experience working in international climate and/or ocean policy mechanisms and fora.
  • Understanding of government processes and the overall policy engagement environment.
  • Strong organization, project management, and prioritization skills.
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to adapt in a fast-paced, changing environment.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Experience partnering with, and influencing, key stakeholders and building strong partnerships across public and private sectors and civil society.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to effectively communicate complex information to a diverse audience.
  • Enthusiasm and capacity for learning scientific and related basis for specific conservation outcomes as needed to support policy priorities and processes.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

Preferred

  • Bi-lingual or multilingual in official UN languages would be desired.
  • Master's degree or other advanced degree in environmental policy or related field.
  • Experience working globally in a range of cultural settings.

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.