Job Description

Director, Capacity Development & Networking Engagement

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.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is strongly preferred to be based out of the Singapore office. Remote work arrangements in Asia-Pacific (view list ) in one of CI\xe2\x80\x99s country offices, Australia or New Zealand can also be considered.

The International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) is advancing the science and support systems needed to unlock the full potential of blue carbon to address climate change, protect biodiversity and support threatened coastal communities. Partnering with governments, scientists, organizations, and local communities, the IBCI will develop and inform effective policy, finance, and
implementation strategies for blue carbon ecosystems.

We are seeking an experienced and skilled individual to play a pivotal role in advancing CI\xe2\x80\x99s mission to protect and conserve blue carbon ecosystems globally. Reporting to the Senior Director for the IBCI, the Director for Capacity Development & Network Engagement is responsible for developing and implementing an overall strategy and action plan to build partner and stakeholder capacity for blue carbon practitioners across diverse sectors including science, project development and management, finance, and policy. The candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and resources of external stakeholders to effectively achieve the IBCI\'s goal to implement projects and scale conservation of blue carbon ecosystems. The role involves establishing partnerships, designing, and implementing capacity-building programs, and fostering collaborative networks to build global expertise in blue carbon across different and diverse sectors and cultural backgrounds, including scientists, policymakers, coastal and indigenous communities. Key activities include identifying knowledge and skill gaps related to blue carbon and collaborating with CI\xe2\x80\x99s global blue carbon team and field programs across CI\xe2\x80\x99s regional and global offices, as well as academic and research institutions, to provide technical training and certification programs globally.

The successful candidate will have experience in science communication, the ability to engage diverse audiences, and a commitment to accelerating efforts to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems. This role requires a strong passion for nature conservation, exceptional communication and leadership skills, and a proven ability to build collaborative teams and relationships. The candidate also contributes to identifying and pursuing funding proposals related to capacity building. This may include reviewing donor reports/proposals and contributing to fundraising communications efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Strategy:

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of IBCI Capacity Building and Network Engagement goals to achieve ambitious conservation objectives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for external capacity building, network development, and partnership development fully integrated with the IBCI and CI blue carbon programs and aligned with the organization\'s mission and goals.
• Collaborate with teams across CI to integrate capacity-building efforts into the organization\'s overall conservation strategies and programs.
• Identify opportunities and provide leadership in the formation of a cohesive partner network(s) to accelerate and amplify blue carbon ecosystem conservation across different sectors and scales science, policy, and implementation.

Partnership & Network Development:

• Identify and cultivate partnerships with relevant institutions, organizations, and collaborators to enhance external capacity-building efforts.
• Establish strong relationships with partner organizations, academic institutions, governmental bodies, and other stakeholders in the nature conservation sector.
• Collaborate with partners to assess capacity-building needs and develop joint initiatives to address them.
• Develop and support a cohesive network of partners for accelerating blue carbon ecosystems conservation at the national, regional, and global levels to facilitate information exchange and collaboration among partners, fostering a cooperative network for sharing resources, best practices, and expertise.
• Seek funding opportunities and engage in grant applications and partnership agreements to support capacity-building initiatives

Capacity Building Program Design and Delivery:

• Conduct assessments to identify capacity gaps and needs among partners, collaborators, and other priority stakeholders.
• Design and implement tailored capacity-building programs to address identified needs, including training workshops, mentoring, knowledge-sharing platforms, and technical assistance.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, trainers, and consultants to develop and deliver high-quality capacity-building activities.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of capacity-building programs, gathering feedback from participants and stakeholders.
• Continuously improve and adapt capacity-building initiatives based on lessons learned and emerging trends in the conservation field

Reporting and Collaboration:

• Prepare regular reports and presentations on capacity-building activities, outcomes, and impact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams, such as program managers, communications, and monitoring and evaluation, to ensure capacity-building programs are integrated with the institutional blue carbon priorities and goals.
• Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and meetings, and actively participate in relevant networks and forums.
• Collaborate with other departments and teams within the organization to ensure integration and synergy across various conservation initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities

• Fundraising-

• Contribute to the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure funds for capacity-building initiatives and programs.
• Assist with the identification of potential funding sources, including grants, donors, corporate partnerships, and individual supporters and donors.

• Knowledge Management:

• Collaborate on developing and maintaining a repository of relevant resources, tools, and best practices.\xe2\x80\xa2 Work with the scientific communications team to promote knowledge sharing and learning among partner institutions and collaborators through regular communication, newsletters, and online platforms.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and exchange of experiences to foster continuous improvement in blue carbon practices.
• Stay updated on the latest developments, research, and innovations in capacity building and conservation, and integrate relevant knowledge into program design and delivery.

• People and Resource Management Responsibilities:

• This position directly manages staff and mentors less-experienced peers and partners.
• May manage an individual budget but decisions that bind or commit CI are approved by the immediate supervisor.
• Not directly responsible for managing public or private funds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• A flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Extended work hours may be required and accommodating internal and external stakeholder meetings across different time zones.
• Frequent travel of more than 20% may be necessary including travel to remote locations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s in a relevant field, such as environmental science, conservation, international development, or a related discipline.
• 7 or more years of experience in capacity building, partnership development, network engagement, or related roles, preferably in the nature conservation or environmental sector.
• Strong knowledge of conservation principles, best practices, and emerging trends in capacity building.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to establish effective partnerships and collaborate with a diverse range

of stakeholders. * Demonstrated ability to design, deliver, and evaluate capacity-building and outreach programs and initiatives.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines in highly dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation techniques to measure the impact and effectiveness of capacity-building activities.
• Knowledge of fundraising and grant application processes to secure resources for capacity-building initiatives.
• Proactive and innovative mindset, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills. Fluency in English is required.

Preferred

• Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree
• Ability to translate technical concepts and develop effective learning and knowledge-sharing deliverables.
• Ability to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Experience planning, organizing, and running workshops and/or events in Singapore and regionally.
• Ability to engage and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and research institutions.
• Demonstrated experience with cross-cultural sensitivities collaborating with diverse stakeholders, with experience in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific a bonus.

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

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

Conservation International