Technical Lead, Inclusive Conservation Initiative

Arlington, VA, United States

Technical Lead, Inclusive Conservation 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, or Peru.

The Technical Lead oversees technical activities for the GEF-7 Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) with joint implementation between CI and IUCN. The 5-year project is an investment of USD 25 million to enhance Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) efforts to steward lands, waters, and natural resources to deliver Global biodiversity benefits.

Essential duties include participating in program planning activities, providing technical oversight, managing partnerships and capacity-building programs, and supporting fundraising efforts. This position will work and provide technical and capacity-building assistance to each of the project's four components, including Component 1 (four subprojects in six countries) and the three cross-cutting Components 2-4. The Technical Lead will be the primary relationship manager for IPLC partners in the subprojects and serve as an expert and resource person on indigenous peoples and conservation issues for cross-cutting capacity, policy, and knowledge activities. The scope of the role includes providing coordinated guidance, mentoring, and technical support to indigenous leaders and partners in subproject organizations, engaging with project stakeholders, providing technical inputs to consultancy ToRs, contributing technical materials to the preparation of annual governance meetings, organizing workshops and training to support capacity building of IPLC organizations, foster strong relationships with partners, ensuring synergies/ linkages with other related projects, providing consistent updates on project activities and progress, problem-solving challenges, and is deeply committed to helping partners.

As directed, the Technical Lead supports fundraising efforts, including developing funding proposals and budgets and supporting senior staff in pursuing funding opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Management and Planning

Play a lead role in the overall planning process. Identify and prioritize technical activities needed to achieve Inclusive Conservation Initiative outcomes successfully.
Provide technical guidance and inputs to develop subproject Impact Strategies; participate as a project resource person in stakeholder meetings to develop strategies.
Facilitate connections with technical specialists required to support specific aspects of Impact Strategy development (e.g., on Gender, Safeguards, M&E).
Advise on and facilitate synergies/linkages with other related initiatives and partners to inform the development of Impact Strategies.
Provide information and technical support to subprojects on initial organizational capacity assessments, impact strategy development, project indicators, safeguard instruments, and contracting requirements.
Review technical materials for subproject contracts.
Gather, develop, share, and implement assigned project action plans and deliverables with internal and external project stakeholders. Support project bids as assigned.
Function as a key project information source and advisor.
Represent ICI and ensure effective communications and information sharing between all partners and stakeholders.

Capacity Building and Partner Management

Facilitate identification of connections to and provision of specialized capacity-building support to subprojects.
Serve as a recognized technical resource and share technical best practices within and outside CI.
Identify and enlist external partners needed to achieve program/project conservation priorities.
Facilitate delivery of guided technical training (e.g., coordinating across experts/providers, interpreters, building, and individuals with specialized expertise. A particular focus of work under this Component will be the learning exchanges. Webinar platform).
Ensure wide outreach to/participation of IPLC training participants and host/participate in training sessions.
Support partners on grants management and understanding GEF requirements.

Fundraising

Cultivate relationships with donors and support senior staff in fundraising efforts.
Seek funding opportunities and assist in developing funding proposals and budgets.

Additional Responsibilities

A core member of the joined Program Management Unit, comprised of CI and IUCN staff.
Prepare scopes of work as needed for specialist capacity-building support to subprojects (e.g., on gender, safeguards, finance).
Support assigned project actions and deliverables in coordination with internal and external project stakeholders.
Facilitate identification of connections to and provision of specialized capacity-building support to subprojects.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

Does not have direct supervisory authority but provides feedback on team members and/or contract/partner staff and support personnel performance.
Acts as a technical or subject matter expert to peers and other staff.
Manages an individual budget, but decisions that bind or commit CI are approved by the immediate supervisor.
Responsible for managing some public or private funds, monitoring results, and recommending follow-up action. Reviews for understanding and compliance with donor agreements.

Related duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Periodic travel to the project site and other office locations.
Comfortable working out of doors for extended periods.
Ability to work outside the normal work schedule to meet project deadlines.
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.
4 to 6 years of work experience in managing conservation or research programs or initiatives, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Is from an indigenous or local community or has deep working experience with indigenous peoples and local communities.
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 people's issues, particularly related to rights, climate change, and conservation.
Experience formulating strategies to achieve goals, developing and implementing plans, and reporting on progress.
Experience with environmental and social safeguards.
Proven ability to understand, interpret, and apply technical and scientific information and data to achieve tangible results.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Proven ability to work in a team environment and work well across cultures and within and across organizations.
Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish.

Preferred

Written and spoken fluency in Spanish
Advanced degree or graduate studies preferred.
Experience with multilateral agencies such as GEF, GCF, etc
Experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in implementing and managing programs engaging and working with indigenous peoples' organizations and communities.
Be from or experience working with indigenous peoples and local communities.
Experience adapting complicated multilateral/bilateral requirements to indigenous and community context.

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

Application Deadline: April 15, 2024 (11:49 PM EST)

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.