As part of our External Affairs team, the Senior Policy Advisor, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, develops, leads and implements our overall policy strategy related to indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). That strategy should have a strong focus on facilitating indigenous voices and choices to be directly and effectively included in key policy processes and decisions. The Senior Policy Advisor will identify key forums/processes/platforms where policy interventions from TNC and our indigenous partners would have a particular impact and designs and executes a strategy for influence. The Senior Policy Advisor will, together with other members of TNC’s External Affairs team and through direct engagement with our field staff and indigenous partners, develop policy positions and points of view on key issues and design and execute a strategy to disseminate and foster adoption of those positions by key decision-makers. One of the primary areas of focus is the Convention on Biological Diversity.
This position is funded for one year with plans to fund for future years.
The Senior Policy Advisor, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, furthers the work of The Nature Conservancy and its indigenous and community partners through direct interaction with governments and/or multilateral agencies focusing on policy, practice, and funding initiatives that provide conservation opportunities and/or impact our conservation programs. They identify conservation policy and funding opportunities, evaluate the potential for strategic partnerships, and develop and implement strategies to influence public policy and public funding for conservation in partnership with IPLCs at a large scale, national and/or global level. They liaise with counterparts within the organization, as well as with key external indigenous organizations and partners, to synthesize lessons and experiences and to co-develop joint policy/practice approaches. They draft statements or position papers in order to influence key international policy decisions related to conservation in partnership with IPLCs and provides input on broader TNC position papers and other policy documents to ensure that our input to those are aligned with our approach to conservation in partnership with indigenous peoples and local communities. They represent TNC in high-level policy forums and strategic events and serves as point person to selected policy coalitions. They identify opportunities for our field programs and IPLC partners to participate in high-level policy forums and events and facilitates their participation. They support field staff in strategic countries to influence key policy opportunities at the national level and/or to implement international commitments.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Identify key forums/opportunities when policy interventions from TNC and our indigenous partners would have a particular impact in relation to conservation in partnership with IPLCs
- Identify and develop strategic partnerships to further our policy influence
- Facilitate indigenous voices and choices to be directly and effectively included in key policy processes and decisions
- In partnership with XA and indigenous partners, draft statements or position papers in order to influence key international policy decisions related to conservation in partnership with IPLCs
- Review and provide input on broader TNC position papers and other policy documents to ensure that our input to those are aligned with TNC’s approach to conservation in partnership with indigenous peoples and local communities
- Attend regular calls with the broader policy team that leads TNC’s engagement in key forums
- Represent TNC in selected high-leverage policy forums/events to influence decisions relevant to IPLCs
- Serve as TNC’s point person in selected policy coalitions to further our positions and approach within those partnerships
- Work with the Global IPLC team to identify success stories/best practices that we want to highlight in particular forums and to identify key field staff and/or partners that could attend particular events to raise our profile and have our positions heard
- Facilitate TNC and partner participation in key events at international forums
- Communicates professionally with a wide variety of people from different cultures.
- Prepares and presents positions or proposals and negotiates with international, national policymakers and/or bilateral and multilateral agencies, to achieve program goals.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements, including international human rights standards and international law related to indigenous peoples.
- Ensures that the program complies with federal lobbying laws and regulations.
- 6 years of senior management level experience in government relations, corporate sector, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
- Fluency in English.
- International work experience.
- Experience working with indigenous peoples and local communities and in co-developing positions and points of view with diverse groups.
- Direct experience in supporting indigenous voices in decision-making processes.
- Experience in international policy forums (e.g. the UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity).
- Direct experience working with partners and government agencies.
- Project management experience including coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization.
- Experience in strategy development and implementation.
- Experience building relationships.
- Experience negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements.
- Experience with written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
- Master’s degree appreciated
- Experience presenting to and communicating with management-level individuals within the corporate sector.
- Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.
- Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
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.