Audubon’s conservation vision is to protect the most important places that the 518 migratory bird species rely on throughout their lifecycle along four major migratory flyways of the Americas. We know that more than half of all North American birds rely on wintering grounds in Latin America and the Caribbean and throughout their migration they feed, rest, and shelter on beaches, rivers, forests, grasslands, and other critical habitats throughout the hemisphere. Audubon’s international program’s success is essential to accomplishing our mission and vision. Audubon is in the midst of revitalizing its international program and its conservation efforts in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada to achieve the important goal of full life-cycle conservation of birds. With our partners, especially BirdLife International, Audubon’s access to a vast international network positions the organization to address key threats to habitats that birds depend on for their survival.
Audubon works in 7 countries: the Bahamas, Mexico, Belize, Panama, Colombia, Chile and Canada and supports conservation efforts in other countries throughout the Americas. Audubon has a significant presence in Colombia where we are leading bird tourism and conservation programs.
The Senior Vice President for International Alliance Programs is a vital part of the conservation leadership team at Audubon. This position will lead Audubon’s international programs, forge partnerships with international partners and institutions like International Development Bank and the Global Environmental Facility, and drive programs that significantly contribute to Audubon’s hemispheric objectives, including a global initiative to protect and manage a vast network of sites that are most important for bird conservation.
The Vice President is responsible for developing, implementing and stewarding Audubon’s alliances in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. A significant portion of the Vice President’s time will be spent fundraising and developing public and private partnerships at all levels to further the conservation goals of Audubon and its partners in the western hemisphere. The Vice President reports to the Chief Conservation Officer.
The goals of the International Alliances Program is to provide leadership and work closely with Birdlife International and other partners throughout the hemisphere to:
- Provide essential technical and scientific information that can inform decisions and drive conservation solutions across the Americas;
- Build the capacity of our Birdlife International Partners and other organizations that are critical to the Audubon mission;
- Shape, help fund and implement conservation programs in targeted countries that are essential to the protection of North American migrant birds, as well as iconic local endemic bird species;
- Contribute to coalitions working to develop and implement critical international frameworks such as, United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the Paris Climate Agreement; the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- Support local efforts to identify, conserve and promote a global network of important sites for birds and biodiversity in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.
- Implement strategies to engage people in bird conservation including eco-tourism programs, citizen science, and education programming.
The broad goals and objectives for the Vice President are the following:
- In conjunction with Audubon’s development team, cultivate and secure public and private funding sources to ensure the adequate annual and ongoing financial support for the International Alliances Program and to support partner organizations.
- Provide strategic vision and leadership to the International Alliances Program and serve as Audubon’s primary liaison to BirdLife International’s America’s Region. Work with Audubon’s Flyway and landscape initiatives to incorporate cross border conservation goals.
- Build a wide range of creative and enduring alliances and promote linkages across the Audubon network including Chapters, State offices, and national conservation programs to leverage resources and build capacity for conservation priorities and partner organizations in the Americas.
- Identify and facilitate opportunities for Audubon’s staff leaders in science, education, public policy and direct on-the-ground conservation to assist in building the conservation capacity of partner organizations in Latin American and the Caribbean. Assist partners in planning, training, and fundraising and encourage collaboration and the mutual sharing of expertise.
- Improve communication among organizations and individuals working for bird conservation in the Western Hemisphere. Help provide understanding of international bird conservation issues and build partnerships and networks for bird conservation.
- Participate in developing indicators of success for Audubon’s mission in other countries.
- Provide leadership and management to the Chief Conservation Officer and develop annual and strategic goals for this position in conjunction with the Director of the BirdLife Secretariat.
- Inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, donors, and partners.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible international experience with private, government or non-governmental organizations, preferably in Latin America, Central America, Caribbean countries.
- Knowledge of conservation, ornithology, or management needs of birds in the Americas with experience in Latin American or Caribbean conservation preferred.
- Proven track record in fundraising and partnership building.
- Demonstrated outstanding stakeholder relations skills; an ability to work with and develop partnerships with a wide range of individuals, government agencies, communities, donors and other non-governmental organizations on a local, national and international level.
- Demonstrated ability to work on complex projects and to coordinate and ensure cooperation among a wide range of partners.
- Ability and flexibility to travel extensively (approximately 50% - 60%).
- Bilingual Spanish is required.
Personal Attributes:
- A deep commitment to the Audubon mission.
- An engaging leader; an individual who inspires and motivates staff, volunteers, donors, and partners.
- An enthusiastic executive, skilled in marketing and fundraising for conservation programs from individual donors, foundations, corporations and international development agencies.
- Ability to engage a diverse array of people, communities and organizations.
- Entrepreneurial spirit coupled with strong management skills.