The world faces pressing global challenges, from climate change to increasing food, energy and water demands. The Nature Conservancy believes we can meet these challenges and make progress towards a future that balances the needs of people and nature through major changes in decisions about natural resource management, economic development investments, and market systems. The Conservancy seeks a scientific thought leader with a proven record of success in water resource management to drive a high-impact global research agenda. The Lead Scientist, Global Water provides science technical and strategic leadership and is a senior subject matter expert for freshwater strategies and science for the entire organization. S/he will direct strategic science processes, fundraise for freshwater science work, and develop and maintain partnerships with external subject experts and institutions to strengthen strategic approaches and technical methods. As a member of the Science Cabinet, a collaborative group of the Conservancy’s top scientists, the Lead Scientist, Global Water will contribute topical expertise to cross-cutting science issues and represent the organization in professional conferences, university partnerships, and high-level global events around critical conservation issues.
The Lead Scientist, Global Water develops and monitors the implementation of a vision for applied Freshwater Science that is aligned with TNC’s Shared Conservation Agenda Framework. They collaborate with the science community at large to enhance the freshwater conservation practices of TNC and others and continue to strengthen TNC’s status as a global leader in Freshwater Conservation Science. They guide development and dissemination of scientific methods, tools and guidelines for freshwater strategies, conduct original research and publish findings to add to the body of Freshwater Science knowledge and support of TNC organizational goals. S/he will drive efforts to establish TNC as a global leader in freshwater science as a foundation to addressing the world’s most pressing water resource challenges.
The Lead Scientist, Global Water will report to the Managing Director of Global Water, and will be an active collaborator with the Science Cabinet in the Office of the Chief Scientist – a collaborative group that brings top level thought leadership to the organization’s strategy leaders, establishes and advances critical science issues with the external academic and practitioner communities, and takes on joint research to address pressing trans-disciplinary issues in conservation.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Fosters innovation and risk taking to strengthen the use of freshwater science within the organization.
- Leads project teams and/or staff and provide technical input in support of a major economics research initiatives or projects.
- Communicates findings and best practices in high-level international forums and peer reviewed publications, and cultivates an external presence in coordination with TNC Science Communications team as an expert and leader in relevant disciplines.
- Provides critical, evidence-based thought leadership, advising on and influencing the creation and execution of major strategies for priority global programs.
- Leads efforts to translate findings and best available science into regionally or sectorally appropriate guidelines, tools, and/or best practice for the organization, the broader conservation community, and other key actors and sectors
- Enlists academic freshwater experts in research on challenges of interest to the organization
- Places special emphasis on research and synthesis that advances the evidence base for understanding the effectiveness of freshwater conservation strategies in improving biodiversity and human well-being.
- Identifies, cultivates and solicits major donors and grant opportunities in support of program activities.
- Travels 50% or more in both the US and internationally.
- May work in variable weather conditions at remote locations, hazardous terrain and/or under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 10 years related experience in applied water resources science or equivalent combination of education and experience that may include experience working in the private sector.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donors.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in freshwater ecosystem sciences, including hydrology, geomorphology, ecology, and water management or related fields.
- Experience publishing in peer reviewed scientific journals.
- Fundraising experience (with foundations, government agencies and individuals) for broad programs and projects.
- Experience with networking in the global freshwater scientific and management community.
- Experience working, building relationships and communicating with a wide range of partners.
- Experience with decision making with legal, financial and reputational results and consequences.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience connecting freshwater science to economic outcomes.
- Experience in designing interventions or incentives and implementing them with demonstrated impacts on the environment and communities.
- Record of ability to produce freshwater research that balances data and resource limitations with rigor and credibility.
- Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.
- Familiarity with the conservation sectors’ particular challenges and opportunities.
- Experience in identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donors.
- Experience creating or functioning within university partnerships.
- Established connections and/or collaborations with prominent freshwater research and practitioner groups and individuals
- Ability to resolve large-scale, complex problems through systematic and thorough studies.
- Ability to propose, implement and manage short and long term programmatic goals.
- Ability to participate in the formulation of broad, strategic approaches and policies.
- Ability to manage and guide project and teams.
- Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with all levels of management and staff.
- Proven negotiation and persuasion skills.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.