Asia Pacific Policy Lead

Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Conservation International (CI) believes that getting the right rules and incentives in place, the right policy framework, is essential to achieving our mission to “empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity”. Policies to harness the immediate potential of natural climate solutions (NCSare essential to addressing global climate change and this position will have a heavy focus on informing such policies in the region). At the same time, ambitious global policies on how we manage biodiversity and the high seas will be developed over the next few years and the countries of the Asia Pacific Region will be an important voice in how they are formulated and implemented. 

The Asia Pacific Policy Lead will have the opportunity to be a part of a Global Policy and Government Affairs team that leads CI’s engagement in international policy arenas and works directly with CI country programs to implement key policies at the national level. Additionally, they will be embedded in CI’s Asia Pacific Field Division, which spans 14 countries with a regional headquarters in Singapore. 

Candidate is expected to have a minimum of 7 years of related work experience, preferably in the conservation or government arena and hold a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, politics, or related fields.

They will be responsible for working with select CI country programs in the region to develop policy recommendations and implement strategies to influence the design of domestic policy frameworks related to natural climate solutions (NCS). As a secondary priority, they will be responsible for supporting key CI country programs in the region to engage their governments on their positions for global negotiations on other emerging priorities in the international policy arena (e.g. biodiversity and the high seas). They will have the opportunity to leverage Conservation International’s strong foundation in policy engagement in the region as well as in the Global Policy and Government Affairs team.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with CI country programs, develop policy recommendations and design and implement strategies to influence the design of policy frameworks to facilitate demand for natural climate solutions (NCS) through domestic carbon markets in Singapore and other key countries in the region (likely Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, China, etc).  
• In collaboration with CI country programs develop policy recommendations and design and implement strategies to influence the design of policy frameworks to facilitate the delivery of high-quality NCS credits for domestic and international markets. Likely countries in the region include Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines.
• Support CI country programs in the region to influence their governments’ positions on key elements of the global negotiations on new biodiversity goals and management of the high seas according to CI’s organizational objectives for these negotiations. Particularly CI programs in Indonesia, Japan, and the Pacific Islands. Prior experience in these areas is not necessary, only an understanding of international policy processes.  
• Support collaboration with external partners to create shared policy guidance for national governments related to CI’s climate, biodiversity, and ocean policy priorities. 
• Plan and track programmatic activities to comply with international donor requirements and reporting.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain records for project documentation and donor reporting
• Potentially able to fundraise and handle development opportunities and inquiries 
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor such as: overseeing an intern or developing a budget for a proposal
• Act as liaison with public and private sector partners. 
• Present and speak publicly at events and conferences in the region 

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Does not manage staff but assists peers and may direct the work of intern, volunteers, contractors, and others. 
• Does have limited authority to allocate appropriate resources or approve appropriate budget expenditures when necessary

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is based in the Asia-Pacific region. CI’s Asia-Pacific Field Division is headquartered in Singapore. Preference for the position to be placed in Singapore, Jakarta, Manilla, or Australia.
• The position requires up to 25% domestic and international travel.
• This is a fast-paced work environment that will require regular early morning or evening work for phone calls with CI programs in other time zones.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Minimum 7 years related work experience
• Master's degree in international relations, conservation science, climate, policy, economics or development related field or Bachelor's degree and at last 3 years of specialized professional experience in topics related to climate change, carbon pricing mechanisms, and national and international policy processes. 
• Demonstrated capacity for policy analysis and understanding of policy processes and strategy for influencing them. 
• Working knowledge of climate policy. 
• Able to work independently and in a team setting, including with remote teams. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills, able to form collaborative working relationships with multiple groups internal and external to the organization.
• Experienced and confident at high-level meetings, panels, conferences, workshops, events, and presentations. 
• Strong communication and presentation skills that can be adapted to a wide variety of people of different cultures and backgrounds -- CI staff, government officials, community leaders, the press, partners, donors, etc.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage time and diverse activities.
• Comfortable working across cultures.

Preferred

• Established relationships in the climate change and/or conservation policy community.
• Working knowledge of international biodiversity and ocean (high seas) policy. 
• Fluency in a second regional language would be beneficial (Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia) 
• Experience leading and/or participating in an effective team.
• Solid attention to detail.   
• Ability to function well in a multicultural, diverse, and fast-paced work team environment.
• Comfortable managing multiple duties and adapting to changing priorities.
• Service focus. Courteous, tactful, and proven ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to work under general supervision and take initiative to solve problems under supervisor direction.
• Familiar and comfortable with Microsoft Office and Adobe software

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

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International Values

We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.?

• Passion: Inspired by people and by nature, we are urgently compelled to drive change for a sustainable future. 
• Integrity: We are honest, transparent and accountable for our actions.
• Teamwork: We work together as one CI,?recognizing that?inclusion, collaboration and?cooperation are?fundamental to achieving a?healthy and prosperous?world for all.
• Respect: We respect each other and work to earn trust, valuing our?diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
• Courage: We pursue our vision, taking bold action, persevering and overcoming challenges.
• Optimism: We are optimistic about the capacity of people to be caring, generous and brilliant, and believe that with partners, we can inspire humanity to create a better future.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled