As a leader in CCG, the VP will develop and mentor a strong program, including a team of approximately 10 professionals, and oversight of annual budgets, delivery of outputs, and resource management. S/he will build a common policy vision and strategy to improve human well-being through biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, leading CI’s engagement with developing and developed countries and with leaders of multilaterals and other NGOs. The Vice President will utilize exceptional public speaking and communication skills as a representative of CI in national and international policy meetings and events and through the engagement of leaders of various institutions, governments and partner organizations

Supporting a diverse team of experts within CCG’s network, the VP will inform and influence bilateral, multi-lateral and international policies that impact the nexus of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, climate change and enhancing human well-being and economic development. S/he will contribute to ensuring appropriate funds are available to implement and sustain resulting changes through the policy work. 

The VP for 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. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding macroeconomic and political trends that impact biodiversity conservation and assessing the impact and effectiveness of conservation actions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Planning – Contribute to overall long-term strategic planning for CCG. Lead the development of medium-term and annual strategy and work plans for the Policy department of CCG and guide alignment of the global policy agenda with global priorities current and future of CI.
• Policy Implementation – Develop and advance a focused international 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. Oversee CCG’s policy engagement within international conventions with a focus on Climate Change (UNFCCC and REDD), the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Heritage Convention and the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Partnerships – As part of the CCG Network, establish, maintain and reinforce collaboration where needed between CCG and other programs within CI headquarters and with CI field programs. Develop and maintain key institutional partnerships and collaborations internally within the CCG Network as well as externally with NGOs, foundations, governments and multi-lateral agencies and serve as primarily liaison for policy issues internally as well as externally. Engage decision makers and negotiators from developing and industrialized nations and work with partners to collaborate toward comprehensive agreement on issues related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and climate change. Expand upon CCG’s current coalition work to participate with groups engaging governmental decision makers on issues pertaining to biodiversity, ecosystem services, land use changes and food.
• Performance Management – Contribute to the development and application of organization-wide metrics for assessing impacts of policy within CI; define goals, objectives and deliverables for individuals working for the Policy Department of CCG; develop clear metrics for monitoring their overall performance; attract and manage a highly talented group of policy specialists.
• Resource Mobilization and Fundraising – Serve as primary lead on development of proposals to support the Policy Department of CCG. Provide the necessary input in relation with policy on major institutional fundraising. Partner with the SVP of CCG to better leverage Board Member and donor interest for CI’s policy engagement.

Working Conditions:  The position requires 35% domestic and international 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 government and multilateral leaders 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 writing and oral skills (English)
• 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, including setting appropriate performance goals on substance and for career development
• 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. 

Preferred Skills:

• Work experience in the environment, conservation and development sector is highly relevant
• Ability to work in a Spanish, Portuguese, French or German speaking environment

APPLICANTS SHOULD SEND: Cover letter and resume.