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 based in Australia 

Over the last decade, Conservation International (CI) has developed a comprehensive program focused on the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, salt marshes, 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 science, capacity building, carbon-related finance, sustainable production, policy, and improved human well-being.

CI Australia is amongst the newest programs to join CI’s global conservation portfolio and has set a broad agenda to support Australia’s emergent Blue Carbon and Nature Repair Markets to serve Indigenous Australians and conserve Australia’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity. We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated individual for the position of Blue Carbon Technical Lead to provide technical support in the development of comprehensive Blue Carbon projects and programs within Australia and throughout the region. As part of the regional scope, the Technical Lead will collaborate closely with CI’s International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI). The IBCI is dedicated to advancing the science, capacity, and networks essential to meeting the full potential of blue carbon in combating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and providing critical support to threatened coastal communities.

As part of a geographically distributed team, the Blue Carbon Technical Lead needs to be a reliable, accessible, collaborative, and proactive contributor to the larger Blue Climate Program at CI, encompassing CI’s Center for Oceans, Center Natural Climate Solutions, and the regional field divisions. Their expertise will be pivotal in shaping the organization's strategy in Australia, advising on best opportunities, and keeping abreast of and informing the team of relevant policy, finance, and scientific advancements in Australia. They will guide the development of pilot demonstrations, providing strategic and scientific guidance on project origination, design, and execution in line with CI’s best practice standards, and helping build our strategy for scaling impact through strategic partnerships across the country. They will also support IBCI goals and projects to advance and scale the implementation and impact of blue carbon across South-East Asia, so must be able to manage competing priorities and be prepared to travel as required.

The successful candidate will have knowledge and experience related to climate change, blue carbon ecosystems, and coastal habitat restoration, as well as a demonstrable understanding of the requirements for, and processes for developing, blue carbon projects in the Australian setting. Demonstrated familiarity with international carbon crediting mechanisms and methodologies will be looked upon favorably. The candidate will need a strong interest in working with Indigenous and other partners to advance the accessibility of national and international nature finance streams. They must be apt at building partnerships with potential funders and partners, including government, communities, corporate partners, and other NGOs.

All work will be conducted in cooperation with others across CI divisions to ensure the alignment of objectives and priorities related to blue carbon. The Blue Carbon Technical Lead will work primarily with the CI Australia team and the IBCI leads, however, they will also need to build relationships and collaborations with other teams within the Center for Natural Climate Solutions, the Center for Oceans, Moore Center for Science, Conservation Finance Division, Center for Communities and Conservation, and others across CI.

Final position and salary will be commensurate with experience and expertise.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic guidance and thought leadership:

• Progress CI Australia’s strategy to develop Indigenous-led blue carbon opportunities in Australia, in line with CI’s overall organizational and Blue Climate goals.
• Provide assessments and advice on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in blue carbon finance, policy, and capacity building in Australia.
• Support IBCI’s strategic goals in applied scientific research and innovation, multi-sectoral capacity development, and partnerships, by being an active contributor to IBCI’s project portfolio.

Blue carbon project development:

• In partnership with CI’s blue carbon team, oversee and lead field and desk-based feasibility assessments to identify and prioritize new blue carbon projects, including (but not exclusively) projects eligible under voluntary and compliance carbon schemes such as Verra VCS and CCB and the Australian Emissions Reduction Fund.
• Assess project documents and work plans against CI’s high-quality principles and safeguard standards.
• Identify gaps in capacity, resourcing, or other enabling conditions for prospective projects, and work with partners and peers to develop and execute plans to fill these gaps resulting in investment-ready blue carbon projects.
• Lead the management and implementation of approved blue carbon projects, ensuring effective coordination with partners, collaborators, contractors, and investors/donors.
• Provide technical input for IBCI’s current and future portfolio of multidisciplinary applied science projects and capacity development programs and knowledge products (e.g. manuals, guidelines).

Leadership in development of blue carbon implementation in Australia:

• Lead CI’s engagement in and contributions to blue carbon science and technical activities including methodology development.
• Foster collaborative relationships with governments, scientists, NGOs, and local communities, promoting knowledge-sharing and capacity-building efforts.
• Inform the development of effective policies and strategies for blue carbon initiatives.
• Collaborate with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for the integration of blue carbon in national and international climate policies.
• As required, contribute to the publication of findings in reputable scientific journals, author and/or contribute to writing and editing technical reports, manuals, handbooks, and guidelines relating to blue carbon methodologies, and represent the IBCI and CI Australia in national and international forums, conferences, and events.

Financing and Funding Strategies:

• Explore diverse financing and funding mechanisms for blue carbon projects, guiding financial feasibility assessments and securing resources for successful project execution.
• Foster partnerships with public and private entities to advance funding opportunities for blue carbon initiatives.
• Work closely with IBCI Technical Director on proposal development, grant writing, and fundraising to support applied science and innovative solutions in blue carbon. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a full-time, work-from-home (WFH) position based in Australia.
• Travel within Australia and occasionally in Asia-Pacific will be required, including travel to remote locations with rustic conditions.
• Flexibility in working hours is required to accommodate time differences between the Arlington, VA, USA office and international field offices located in multiple time zones.
• This is a 12-month fixed-term assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in marine science, environmental science, climate change, or a related field. 
• 5 to 7 years of professional experience.
• Extensive experience in blue carbon ecosystems, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of carbon accounting, national and international carbon policy (e.g., REDD+ policy frameworks, Forest Reference Emissions Levels), and livelihood development approaches.
• Demonstrated experience assessing project quality, feasibility, and risks.
• Strong understanding of Australian domestic policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, carbon accounting, carbon markets, and funding options for nature-based solutions.
• Superb oral and written communication skills including experience collaborating with and communicating for a broad variety of audiences, both technical and non-technical including academic, media, and fund-raising.
• Proven ability to collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team and work toward developing, problem-solving, and executing a shared vision for CI Australia. 
• Excellent time and project management skills, with an ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.

Preferred

• Masters/Advanced degree or Ph.D
• Experience working with or within the private sector, including corporates and/or institutional investors, on climate or nature-based solutions.
• Experience implementing conservation programs in the field.
• Working experience with Indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Evidence of persistence in overcoming challenges.
• Must be an independent worker and self-starter who is adaptable, able to think out of the box and innovate. 

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.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.