Global Biodiversity Standard Project Manager

In response to the dual crises of climate change and loss of biodiversity, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is developing the world’s first Global Biodiversity Standard that specifically recognises and promotes the protection, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity in tree-planting, Forest Landscape Restoration, Nature-based Solutions and ecological restoration sites. BGCI and its partners have secured five years of funding (2022-2027) with which to develop, test and launch the Standard. We are looking for a Project Manager who will manage the development, testing and roll-out of the Global Biodiversity Standard.

About BGCI

BGCI is an international conservation charity that exists to ensure the worldwide conservation of threatened plants, the continued existence of which is intrinsically linked to global issues including poverty, human well-being and climate change. BGCI has over 700 members and associates, mostly botanic gardens, arboreta and plant conservation organisations in 118 countries; we have offices in the UK, USA, Kenya, China and Singapore.

BGCI provides the secretariat for the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens (ERA), and BGCI and its partners have over 15 years of experience carrying out tree species recovery through the Global Trees Campaign. In addition, BGCI leads the Global Tree Assessment, which is generating the most accurate and comprehensive data on global tree diversity available. The GTA, ERA and the GTC have helped BGCI and its partners to develop and support a substantial knowledge base and expert network covering restoration and plant species recovery in >50 countries. BGCI’s broader network includes technical partners in nearly every country in the world.

Detailed Position Description

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager for the development, testing and roll-out of the Global Biodiversity Standard. Specific tasks will include:

1.      Project management. This will include:

• Leading regular meetings and coordinating work with project partners, including botanic garden partners, the World Agroforestry Centre, the Society for Ecological Restoration, TRAFFIC, Plan Vivo, Ecosia, 1t.org
• Developing and delivering on annual work plans and ensuring timely delivery of activities
• Drafting Terms of Reference and grant agreements for project partners and ensuring partners carry out tasks as required
• Project monitoring and evaluation, including tracking progress against project targets
• Managing project finances, including financial reporting to funders
• Technical reporting on project progress and achievements internally within BGCI and to funders, the project Steering Committee
• Promoting the Global Biodiversity Standard in international forums
• Fundraising to expand the initiative.  
• Working with partner organisations to develop the online application process
• Working with technical partners to develop the remote sensing component of the methodology
• Working with botanic garden partners on the development, review and refinement of the ground survey methodology, including visiting project sites to take part in survey work
• Leading on the integration of the different component methodologies into a single coherent methodology and process
• Organising online and in-person workshops to refine and deliver training on the Global Biodiversity Standard methodology 

2.      Co-ordinate the development, review and refinement of the Global Biodiversity Standard certification methodology. This will include: 

3.      Gather and collate reference data sources to support the development and implementation of the Global Biodiversity Standard certification methodology. This will include:

• Gathering and collating published and reference material related to site biodiversity
• Building a Directory of Expertise and an active cohort of botanical survey and inventory experts covering the geographical areas in which the Global Biodiversity Standard will be applied. 

4.      Build partnerships with other organisations. This will include working with:

• Organisations, including corporates that are funding or brokering tree-planting and restoration programmes to ensure that the GBS certification meets their needs.
• Tree planting and restoration implementing organisations to test the methodology in real world conditions and in different contexts.
• Other certification agencies (e.g. FSC, Plan Vivo etc.) to ensure complementarity and mutual support. 

5.      Develop a business model for the Global Biodiversity Standard certification. This will entail:

• Developing and testing a funding model that covers costs of certification assessments and overheads
• Developing a staffing structure for delivery of the Standard
• Developing a robust Governance model for the Standard 

6.      Undertake other work as may be required in the post e.g. contributing to funding applications, chairing staff meetings on rotation, managing new staff as they are recruited to the Global Biodiversity Standard team, etc. 

Person Specification

The Board of BGCI is seeking to appoint a person with outstanding project management, conservation, communication and networking skills. Candidates for this post will require a proven track record in a conservation organisation, managing or leading conservation projects, ideally in the international NGO sector. The post holder will demonstrate sensitivity to complex, multicultural and multinational institutions and structures. Working within a partnership model, candidates must be able to show their capacity to innovate and to manage change. They must also be able to inspire BGCI’s members and tree planting organisations and financiers around the world to adopt stronger biodiversity considerations in tree planting.

Education and Experience

Essential

• Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom
• A post-graduate level qualification in conservation, environment, science or another relevant discipline
• At least 5 years’ experience in a conservation organisation, managing conservation projects with multiple concurrent outputs and multiple partners
• Experience in interacting with international organisations and individuals
• Perfect mastery of English, both oral and written combined with excellent communication and presentational abilities
• Experience of managing budgets, setting financial priorities and preparing grant agreements
• Experience tracking progress and reporting against logical frameworks
• Experience reporting to funders
• Experience working with overseas partners – ideally in biodiversity hotspots
• Applied plant conservation skills – this could include, for example, botanical survey work, seed collection, propagation, nursery management and species recovery
• Experience of working for a not for profit organisation
• Botanical survey and inventory experience, including knowledge of remote sensing and ground survey techniques
• Knowledge of botanic gardens, plants or related disciplines ideally gained through direct personal experience
• Command of French or Spanish (able to read, write and speak with some fluency)

Desirable 

Skills and competencies 

Essential

• Capacity to innovate and manage change
• Willingness to travel frequently internationally
• Strong communications skills, including presenting confidently, in a variety of settings to diverse audiences
• Competent IT skills 

Desirable

• Familiarity and experience in developing and submitting funding proposals, with a proven track record of success
• Website content management and familiarity with databases
• Knowledge of plant conservation approaches and methodologies
• Knowledge of database functioning and development.

Application Process

To apply for this position please submit a CV and covering letter detailing your experience, relevant qualifications and reasons for applying to info@bgci.org.

Please send your CV, cover letter and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to info@bgci.org

The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form can be downloaded from

https://www.bgci.org/job/education-and-training-officer-botanic-gardens-conservation-international/

Deadline for applications: October 9^th 2022

BGCI is committed to putting equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our organisation. We are committed to ensuring a working environment in which all individuals are free from discrimination and in which opportunities are equal to all. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly those underrepresented within our sector.