Wildlife Works is a community-centered wildlife conservation company that implements market-based initiatives to protect the planet’s threatened wilderness and endangered wildlife. The company was founded on the premise that if we want wildlife in our world, it has to work for local communities who share their environment. Wildlife Works’ conservation projects drive direct financing to forest communities to fund their own economic development while preventing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere annually.

Position Summary

Wildlife Works seeks to recruit a Chief Biodiversity Scientist supporting all our Biodiversity Research, Monitoring and Conservation who will work under the functional guidance of the Global Director of Conservation. The Chief Scientist-Biodiversity will primarily spearhead, provide leadership and support on issues related to biodiversity research, monitoring and conservation for Wildlife Works’ growing REDD+ (and related) portfolio across Africa, Asia and Latin America. The successful applicant will be responsible for designing Wildlife Works’ biodiversity-related research and conservation strategies and provide advisory support all through the implementation of for all REDD+ (and related) projects globally. S/he will also support the Global Director of Conservation in activities related to research, documentation, dissemination and outreach, and policy development on all biodiversity matters. This role requires a dynamic team player with broad understanding of biodiversity-related matters, excellent analytical skills, the ability to support multiple initiatives simultaneously, and experience working globally across cultural, geographic and time zone boundaries. S/he shall be expected to be flexible and work within the existing structures, professionally and ethically with competence, accountability and integrity. Preference will be given to candidates in Vermont, US or Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities:

• Define, design and support execution of all Wildlife Works’ biodiversity-related strategies for all REDD+ (and related) projects globally, under guidance from Wildlife Works’ Global Director of Conservation. This involves evaluating various survey methods and monitoring protocols to determine the most suitable ones for each project objective or target species considering scientific rigour, cost, ease-of-execution, and replicability
• Support Wildlife Works’ projects’ validation and verification audits, particularly ensuring soundness of the biodiversity-related sections of all project design documents and/or monitoring reports, plus helping resolve biodiversity impact-related questions from clients or auditors under guidance from the Global Director of Conservation and VP for Carbon Development
• Write, and/or support writing of, concise and informative internal reports plus scientific, peer-reviewed publications, including dissemination of lessons learned and contributions to best practices on biodiversity matters from all Wildlife Works’ projects globally for research, knowledge and learning purposes
• Link with relevant REDD+ or biodiversity-related policy processes internationally, regionally or nationally, e.g., CBD, IFC Performance Standards and World Bank Safeguards, to ensure Wildlife Works’ interests, opinions and positions on MRV related to biodiversity are articulated in the best way
• Develop and maintain professional networks, including research organisations, NGOs and relevant public agencies, build research partnerships and propel biodiversity research and monitoring excellence at Wildlife Works
• Support desk research and/or rapid reconnaissance field visits to prospective REDD+ (and related) projects globally whenever needed, describing their biodiversity profiles (High Conservation Values) including key drivers of forest loss and potential impacts, plus screening for potential environmental and biological impacts and risks
• As appropriate, seek strategic co-funding and grants for undertaking offshoot and/or student biodiversity research that augments core business research work
• Represent Wildlife Works in various local and international meetings and forums.