The Coastal Wetlands Manager supports the climate mitigation and adaptation work in the Global Ocean’s coastal wetlands strategy. The coastal wetlands strategy focuses on protecting and restoring the world’s coastal wetlands to address climate change while improving communities and economies. This person provides strategic support for mitigation and resilience opportunities for coastal wetlands protection, science, stewardship and supports f field work across geographies including Africa, Americas, Caribbean, Asia Pacific. This person reports to the Coastal Wetlands Strategy Lead and preferred office location is our World Office in Arlington, Virginia. Successful applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. No immigration or relocation assistance is offered with this position. The preferred start date is April 8, 2018.
The Coastal Wetlands Program Manager establishes The Nature Conservancy as a major conservation partner within the areas of coastal climate mitigation and adaptation and defines conservation priorities and long-term conservation strategies. They will have key topical expertise in coastal wetlands and climate financing to drive strategy development and implementation. With supervision from the Global Wetlands Strategy Lead, s/he will work with additional staff to builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field and develop key partnerships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve existing barriers to coastal wetlands conservation. S/He will explore and innovative financing mechanisms to leverage opportunities to scale the restoration, protection and sustainable management of critical coastal wetlands. S/he will develop innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks, and engage local community support for local conservation efforts, and negotiate complex and innovative solutions to conserve and protect coastal wetlands.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Manages engagement with internal and external partners on blue carbon and coastal wetlands adaptation and develops reports, presentations and assessments for communicating our engagement.
- Works within a budget to complete projects, negotiates and contracts with vendors and assists with budget development for the coastal wetlands strategy.
- Facilitates capacity building for field programs related to the coastal wetlands strategy.
- Working within highly matrixed and globally dispersed teams, designs, implements and directs complex and diverse projects encompassing multiple programs for the coastal wetlands strategy.
- Incorporates cross disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives including climate finance.
- Builds cooperation from outside partners including NGOs, governments and private sector to accomplish program goals.
- Frequently makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
- Requires willingness and ability to travel up to 25% both domestically and internationally, and to work occasionally on weekends and evenings.
- 7 years’ experience in coastal wetlands, blue carbon and carbon markets or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience leading complex projects or strategic initiatives in an unstructured environment.
- Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action.
- Experience writing and editing promotional and informational material.
- Experience working internationally.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 7-10 years’ experience in conservation practice or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans related to coastal wetlands.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in coastal ecosystems, climate change negotiations and financing.
- Masters degree or PhD in relevant topics preferred.
- Knowledge of methods and standards for implementing carbon projects.
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising
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.