Sr. Policy Advisor, Global Biodiversity & Infrastructure

 Arlington, Virginia, USA
This position is negotiable anywhere The Nature Conservancy is authorized to conduct business. Arlington, VA is TNC’s headquarters.

#LI-REMOTE

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Senior Policy Advisor, Global Biodiversity & Infrastructure works with an interdisciplinary team to serve as a subject matter expert to affect public policy at the international level to further the Conservancy’s mission. They also interpret international policy developments for TNC regional and country program staff to support implementation of global policy initiatives. Duties include daily contact with national government representatives to international institutions and multilateral agencies’ officials, and/or corporate representatives on matters pertaining to administrative, legislative, and/or corporate actions or internationally negotiated agreements.  They build and facilitate external networks, coordinating meetings, agendas, and presentations.  They influence the outcome of policy and/or corporate initiatives at the international or national level. They develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and industry to advance the organization’s conservation agenda. The advisor also liaises with TNC’s global strategy teams, Science and Field Conservation staff, other External Affairs departments and with TNC’s Operating Units.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY POLICY
•    Working with the Director, Biodiversity and Infrastructure Policy, develop implement and evaluate policy strategies to influence priorities, policies and legislation that deliver on TNC’s mission and the Shared Conservation Agenda;
•    Manage and support TNC’s engagement in the biodiversity-related conventions, in particular the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework;
•    Guide TNC’s engagement with the CBD, including by conducting policy analyses, developing policy positions, representing TNC at relevant meetings and negotiations, and, working with country and regional program staff to providing strategic support for national level commitments and implementation;
•    Advise and support TNC regional and country teams on national-level policy development for National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and target-setting under the CBD;
•    Build and maintain working partnerships with key stakeholders in the development of the Global Biodiversity Framework, including partner organizations/NGOs, national government representatives to the CBD, secretariat staff, and internal TNC stakeholders in External Affairs, Science, Communications, and Regional/National programs;
•    Prepare and deliver written and oral analysis of negotiations and topics related to the CBD negotiations and subsequent implementation of the GBF for TNC staff, partner country governments and other external stakeholders;
•    Develop side events and other outreach at key meetings to highlight TNC research and policy positions and partner country commitments for the Global Biodiversity Framework.
•    Support TNC country programs and thematic programs to implement national biodiversity commitments and the Global Biodiversity Framework though engagement with international institutions, public donors and partners.

SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
•    Build relationships with development agencies, multilateral development banks, project preparation facilities, the G20 Global Infrastructure Hub, Global Infrastructure Basel/FAST-Infra, OECD-Blue Dot, IRENA and other stakeholders involved in planning and finance of large-scale infrastructure projects and renewable energy deployment.
•    Develop and disseminate policy guidance, standards and tools to reduce impacts of renewable energy and other infrastructure development on biodiversity and ecosystem services and support infrastructure that is aligned with the Paris Accord and the Sustainable Development Goals, including through publication of white papers and peer-reviewed papers.
•    Working with Renewable Energy (Climate Change) Team, country and regional programs, as well as development agencies, establish partnerships and pilots for upstream strategic planning for infrastructure that incorporate natural capital and green infrastructure that helps build the business case for sustainable infrastructure.
•    Facilitate partnerships with construction and engineering industry to promote sustainable infrastructure policies and standards.
•    Lead engagement with the Convention on Migratory Species in the area of infrastructure and connectivity.

OTHER
•    Identify and support the development of funding proposals as necessary.
•    Work with TNC Communications to develop public-facing media and messaging on biodiversity and sustainable infrastructure policies.

The challenges facing our planet today require comprehensive solutions that address the well-being of people and nature and lay the foundation for future conservation efforts. Promoting policies that provide benefits to both people and nature is critical to securing lasting conservation outcomes. The work and expertise of The Nature Conservancy’s External Affairs programs are integral to this effort. External Affairs is helping to shape the government policies that help make possible achievement of transformative conservation outcomes to address climate change, enhance protection of lands, waters, and the ocean, and provide food and water sustainably. We have an awesome task at hand, and the work that you do here will have a direct impact on our success.

•    Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business or related field and 6 years of senior management level experience in government relations, corporate sector, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
•    Supervisory experience.
•    Fluency in English.
•    International work experience.
•    Direct experience working with partners and government agencies.
•    Project management experience including coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization.
•    Proven experience in strategy development and implementation.
•    Demonstrated relationship building skills.
•    Experience negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements.
•    Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $132,000 – 144,000 for annual base salary in the United States. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the United States. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the United States would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual salary range.

To apply for job ID 53992, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.