Job Description

Blue Carbon Technical Lead, International Blue Carbon Institute

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.

CI has been a global leader in using natural climate solutions (NCS) to combat climate change. Over the last decade, CI has developed a comprehensive program focused on the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses) based on their mitigation, adaptation, and climate resilience value. CI is rapidly expanding its portfolio of blue carbon initiatives with the goal of incentivizing the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems at scale through carbon finance, sustainable production, and improved human well-being.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Singapore

CI has launched an International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI), based in Singapore, which will be a globally recognized center that advances blue carbon finance, policy, and research to realize the immense potential of blue carbon for climate, communities, and biodiversity. We are now seeking a Blue Carbon Technical Lead for the institute, who will support the long-term growth and success of CI\xe2\x80\x99s blue carbon program within our Asia-Pacific field program. The Blue Carbon Technical Lead will be responsible for identifying and executing new blue carbon crediting projects both by cultivating projects within and external to CI country programs and by providing technical assistance to key partners/project developers interested in collaborating with CI. The Blue Carbon Technical Lead will be responsible for conducting project feasibility assessments, identifying jurisdictional opportunities, conducting field visits, and moving priority opportunities to full-scale development. The Blue Carbon Technical Lead will be a trusted member of the IBCI and CI Asia-Pacific strategy team, providing guidance on priorities and identifying opportunities for collaboration through the institute both in the region and beyond.

To be successful, the Blue Carbon Technical Lead needs extensive knowledge and experience related to climate change, blue carbon ecosystems, as well as demonstrated experience in the development of blue carbon projects, especially familiarity with carbon crediting methodologies and experience in blue carbon project development and design. The position-holder must work productively with external partners in the private sector, government, and civil society, and must be able to articulate an actionable plan for developing a pipeline of new, high-quality emissions reductions and restoration projects (from environmental, biodiversity, and community co-benefits perspectives) at scale. They must be comfortable sharing and driving their vision with CI staff, potential funders, and partners and secure ongoing buy-in, resourcing, and execution.

The role will require a breadth of skills across a variety of topics including project management, carbon finance, science, policy, markets, and technology. The position-holder will work closely with country leaders and field programs as well as the Conservation Finance Division, Natural Climate Solutions Center, Regional Field Divisions, Center for Oceans, and other relevant Conservation International divisions. They provide oversight for all the research and development efforts of the IBCI and will ensure compliance with project standards, donor requirements, charity conditions in Singapore, and institutional priorities. They report directly to the Director of the International Blue Carbon Institute, with dotted reporting lines to the Senior Director of Carbon Development within the Asia-Pacific Field Division / Vice-President, Blue Carbon Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Blue Carbon Project Development:

• Conduct field and desk-based feasibility assessments to identify and prioritize new carbon opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically but not limited to new blue carbon-crediting projects eligible under voluntary and compliance carbon schemes such as Verra VCS and CCB. The feasibility assessment might include aspects such as assessing the agents and drivers of deforestation, conducting potential emissions reduction and removal analysis, estimating projects and program intervention costs, identifying implementation partners and key stakeholders, assessing potential risks and challenges, identifying enabling conditions and policy gaps, etc.
• Assist and/or lead the strategic and technical development of CI \xe2\x80\x9cflagship\xe2\x80\x9d blue carbon projects that incorporate all aspects of high-quality NCS projects including the application of CI\xe2\x80\x99s safeguard systems and ensure and implementation of robust monitoring and verification approaches (in accordance with high-quality standards like VCS). This includes but is not limited to developing carbon emissions baseline and project scenarios, leading the design of field-based forest carbon stock assessments and subsequent data analysis, developing appropriate MRV protocols, contributing to the identification and design of field implementation activities, designing and managing work plans and budgets for technical activities related to carbon project development, and leading projects through audit and validation/verification processes.

Program Leadership and Development:

• Work as a key member of the CI Blue Carbon team to ensure complementarity, leverage and integration of the IBCI with CI\xe2\x80\x99s Blue Carbon programs.
• Develop a broad and diverse network of relationships and partnerships to accelerate and achieve IBCI goals. Effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Work closely with, coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with all institutional carbon-related staff & teams to have clarity on their initiatives, views, and how their approaches address/support the needs/goals and context of the countries where projects are being implemented.
• Identify capacity-building needs and develop plans to implement and monitor efforts to address capacity gaps.
• Develop scientific publications on blue carbon research to support national policy and inter-government collaboration for the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems.
• Support proposal development to include science and research content.
• Represent the organization externally. Serve as a trusted and visible point of contact and blue carbon technical advisor for CI and partners.
• Track expenses and activities associated with the IBCI\xe2\x80\x99s research and technical programs.
• Prepare progress reports of program activities, in particular those that benefit communities in Singapore, to support the maintenance of charity status for the work of CI in Singapore.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Stay updated on trends and policies related to environmental and climate action, particularly developments in the blue carbon space in Singapore and beyond.
• Work with CI Singapore\xe2\x80\x99s communications personnel to develop content for social media channels and websites, e.g. graphics, factsheets, collaterals, for internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a full-time position and must be located in the Asia-Pacific region with a preference for Singapore with frequent travel within the region, often to remote locations with rustic conditions.
• Flexibility in work schedule is required in order to accommodate time differences between the Arlington, VA, USA office and international field offices located in multiple time zones.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree and 5 to 7 years of related work experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge on forest and biodiversity conservation, carbon accounting, national and international REDD+ policy frameworks and livelihood development approaches.
• Understanding of getting REDD+ and/or Blue Carbon projects through the full VCS and CCB validation and verification process, including the development of Project Description Documents (PDDs), Monitoring & Implementation Reports (MIRs) and Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.

• Demonstrated leadership of complex and dynamic programs, involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Passion for and awareness of conservation and environmental issues including nature-based solutions and blue carbon.
• A record of success partnering with and influencing key stakeholders and building strong, effective, and impactful partnerships across public and private sectors and civil society. Experience working with government agencies, scientific organizations and/or academic institutions preferred.
• Proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in highly dynamic, resource-limited environments. Adept at working in and managing a team in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Experience communicating for broad variety of audiences, including academic, media, and fundraising.
• Proven team player able to work effectively across cultures and within and across organizations.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge to develop new approaches.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Superb oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred

• Experience implementing conservation programs in the field.
• Advanced degree in marine science, environmental management, engineering, sustainable development, environmental policy, or other conservation-related fields.
• Working experience with indigenous peoples and traditional communities.
• Evidence of persistence in overcoming challenges.
• Must be a self-starter who is able to think out of the box and innovate
• Language skills, e.g. Mandarin, Bahasa, Khmer, or Tagalog would be a plus.

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

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