The VP will lead and support a small team of experts within CCG who work to influence US Government policies that impact the nexus of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, climate change and enhancing human well-being and economic development.  S/he will lead CI’s engagement with the US Government (State Department, DoD, DoE, Treasury, USAID, MCC, US Congress and congressional processes, like new legislation, political control, scientific support, work with special commissions and allocations of resources) and with US Government entities engage with key multilaterals (i.e. GEF, IDB, and WB), UN system and key US based NGOs with the goal of influencing human well-being through biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management and field models.  S/he will engage and enhance US public funding mechanisms to support REDD+ and other nature-based mitigation and adaptation strategies and to incorporate climate change as a cross sectoral issue into sustainable development and poverty reduction strategies. S/he will contribute to ensuring adequate funds are available to implement and sustain the changes brought about by such policies through the development of appropriate funding proposals, mechanisms and international commitments.  In collaboration with staff of CCG’s Public Funding Department s/he will contribute to catalyzing funds from US Government sources (USAID, USF&WS, NOAA) in promoting structural policy changes that demonstrate the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem management in economic development and development policies, and will establish and strengthen links with relevant institutions (i.e. TNC, WCS, WWF, CARE) for advancing the policy agenda in these areas in relation with CI’s new mission.

The VP for US Government Policy’s areas of focus will include, but are not limited to, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, reasons for historical and projected trends in land use change, deforestation, protected areas, depletion/degradation of marine and freshwater resources, policy trends affecting biodiversity hotspots, wilderness areas and priority seascapes and integrated approaches for linking ecosystem services to human wellbeing in conservation landscapes and seascapes, and food, water and health security in relation with natural ecosystem management.  S/he will support and facilitate the creation of U.S. policy at Federal and State levels that provide incentives and legislative mechanisms for nature-based mitigation and adaptation strategies in developing countries.

S/he will also oversee CCG’s policy engagement within the US Government in relation with international conventions, such as, but not limited to,  the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with an emphasis on REDD, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention to Combat  Desertification, the Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas. S/he will expand upon CCG’s current coalition work to participate with groups engaging US governmental decision makers on issues pertaining to biodiversity, ecosystem services, land use changes and food security such as through G8+5, UN General Assembly, World Food Program, UN Food and Agriculture Organization and other similar fora. S/he will provide support to achieve a global climate agreement within the UNFCCC that provides strong incentives for nature-based mitigation and adaptation strategies including REDD+, HFLD inclusion, marine adaptation, ecosystem approaches to adaptation, and recognizes and respects the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

The VP for US Government Policy will participate in a cross divisional approach to policy work. S/he will work in supporting the US Government policy component on the deliverable of all divisions, working groups, field divisions and staff so CI will internally assume a coherent and wide approach on US Government policy outcomes. Particularly important is the coordinated effort with head of Field Divisions, reinforcement of policy in field models,  communications, capacity building,  generation of science and knowledge and support to the leadership of the Organization. S/he will work on the promotion in the US of a robust voluntary and regulatory carbon markets generating investments into forest carbon activities in developing nations meeting standards for community and conservation outcomes.  S/he will generate and communicate scientific knowledge (data, methods, models, tools) to US policy institutions and inform the development of effective climate field activities, policy and markets that provide the greatest opportunities for mitigating climate change and minimizing impacts on human and ecological communities as well as local or traditional adaptation practices.

The VP will lead and manage a small staff, and will work in partnership with other CI divisions to achieve common goals. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Planning and Alignment of Policy and CI’s Global Priorities – Contribute to overall long-term strategic planning for CCG. Lead the development of medium-term and annual strategy and work plans for the US Government Policy department of CCG and guide alignment of the US Government policy agenda with global priorities current and future of CI.
• Policy Implementation – Develop and advance a focused US Government policy strategy designed to benefit people through biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and climate change mitigation. Provide the vision to drive the development of key policy changes. Identify and execute policy initiatives to raise the importance among decision makers of investment and action in biodiversity conservation for the benefit of human well-being and related issues. Work in close collaboration with Field Models Division to amplify their results through the US government policy lens.\
• Partnerships –Establish, maintain and reinforce collaboration where needed between CCG US Government Department and other programs within CI headquarters and with field programs. Develop and maintain key institutional partnerships and collaborations internally within the CCG Network as well as externally with US Government entities, the International Conservation Caucus Foundation, NGOs, foundations and multi-lateral agencies and serve as primarily liaison for US Government policy issues internally as well as externally. Engage US Government decision makers to collaborate toward comprehensive agreement on issues related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, climate, food, water and health security.
• Performance management – Contribute to development and application of organization-wide metrics for assessing impacts of policy in CI; define goals, objectives and deliverables for individuals working for the US Government Policy Department of CCG; develop clear metrics for monitoring their overall performance.
• Resource Mobilization and Fundraising – Serve as primary lead on development of proposals aimed at supporting the US Government Policy Department of CCG. Provide the necessary input in relation with policy on major institutional fundraising. Work with SVP to better leverage board members’ and Chairman’s Council members’ interest for CI’s US Government policy engagement.
• S/he will have responsibility for overall direction and implementation of the US Government policy agenda of CI, delivery of outputs, performance management, and investment of resources.  In addition, s/he will be part of the senior leadership team that sets the Center’s overall direction.  S/he will supervise a small staff and manage an annual budget of approximately one million.

 Working Conditions: The position requires 15% travel

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Skills:

• PhD or Master’s degree in environmental sciences, public policy, natural resource management or international relations and minimum 8-10 years professional, progressive experience.
• Extensive knowledge of international policies related to biodiversity, climate change (including UNFCCC and CBD), and natural resource management.
• Experience working with the US government to influence policy development and implementation. 
• Established track record of high quality policy papers and experience in researching and analyzing information from different sources.
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment and to meet deadlines and manage time and diverse activities. 
• Proven ability to fundraise and network, developing and managing partnerships across a range of stakeholders
• Ability to synthesize and articulate critical policy information to help inform and shape the policy framework under which the global conservation agenda should be placed and communicate about the issues to peers, colleagues and general audiences.
• Excellent track record in developing, directing and managing policy work, including mobilizing and investing resources strategically.
• Knowledge and understanding of social policy components with respect to major conventions
• Strong English writing and oral skills
• Strong leadership and visionary capability, including evidence of working with multidisciplinary teams in a non-hierarchical manner
• Strong capability to work effectively through networking in a decentralized and geographically dispersed organization
• Strong capability to motivate and inspire team members.
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines without compromising working standards and high quality results
• Proven interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills 
• Ability to change approaches as necessary and respond accordingly to changes in the global environment
• Expert understanding of current global scale trends and practices in major disciplines of global change and biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, economic development and policy, agriculture and trade, environment and health, and natural resource management.  
• Exercise independent judgment and work independently.
• Duties performed under minimal supervision
• Act in supervisor’s stead when instructed
• Work experience in the US Government policy pertaining environment, conservation and development sectors.

APPLICANTS SHOULD SEND:  Cover letter and resume.