POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE
JOB FAMILY: Scientists
JOB NUMBER: 400004
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
LOCATION:
Negotiable
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Director of Science provides technical and
scientific support and leadership for
conservation planning, measures of success, and
other initiatives and activities at various
scales (regional, ecoregions, projects) within
the Asia-Pacific region. Requires use and
modification of advanced techniques and practices
focusing primarily on forest, freshwater and
marine habitat types concentrated in the
Asia-Pacific. Requires sufficient knowledge and
work experience building teams to effectively
collaborate with other scientists and
conservation staff within the region and across
the organization to identify and resolve
technical issues, implement adaptive management
and to widely communicate solutions and best
practices. The Director of Science serves as the
liaison between country programs and the
Worldwide Office in communicating and
implementing strategic global conservation goals.
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
· Apply diversified knowledge of
scientific principles and practices in forest,
freshwater and marine systems to lead the
coordination and technical support of
conservation strategies within the Asia-Pacific region.
· Develop high-leverage strategies for
public and private fundraising in coordination
with country programs that advance the conservation of biodiversity.
· Lead and participate in analytical
projects that address emerging conservation
issues and systematically identify research
priorities and focuses greater external
scientific resources on these priorities.
· Develop and maintain effective working
relationships with relevant government agencies
and other key partners to advance the scientific
work needed to implement ecoregional and
site-based conservation. Represents TNC as a
leader in the scientific community.
· Lead and manage a comprehensive program
of conservation planning which integrates
cutting-edge conservation science with effective
business models to shape far-reaching, maximum-impact conservation strategies.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
· Masters degree in science-related
field and 6 years experience or equivalent
combination of education and experience.
· Record of peer-reviewed publications
relating to species, natural communities,
ecosystems, or ecosystem processes or related topics.
· Experience directing a major program of
strategic importance, including
management/supervision of multi-disciplinary teams
· Experience designing, implementing, and
directing complex or multiple projects, including
managing finances and coordinating the work of
other professionals and partners.
· Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
· Experience establishing relationships
with and collaborating with outside partners,
state/local/federal agencies, land managers,
private landowners or the academic community.
· Excellent working knowledge of common
software applications (e.g. Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Access, Web browsers) and ability to
use provided computer technology to enhance the quality of work.
· Expert knowledge of current and
evolving trends in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
· Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.
· Knowledge of advanced techniques to
modify practices in area of expertise.
· Advanced knowledge of species, natural
communities, ecosystem processes, and their conservation needs.
· Communicate clearly via written,
spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
· As an individual researcher or
specialist, creates and/or improves techniques
and procedures for complex projects independently.
· Coordinates regional conservation
strategies through management of multi-disciplinary teams.
· Diagnoses complex problems and
identifies and implements creative solutions.
· Cultivates the creative ideas of others
to identify potential solutions to complex and less-defined problems.
· Designs, implements, and directs
complex and diverse projects, encompassing
multiple programs and coordinating the work of
other professionals inside and outside the
organization. Incorporates cross-disciplinary
knowledge to support program objectives.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
· Maximum opportunity to act independently.
· Decisions may bind the organization financially or legally.
· Work checked through consultation and
agreement with others rather than by directives of superiors.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
· Manages multi-disciplinary,
administrative and professional staff, with
responsibility for performance management,
training and career development. Establishes
clear directions and sets stretch objectives.
· In supervisory capacity, plans,
organizes, and directs assigned project programs.
· Responsible for operating within budget
guidelines to ensure sound financial
performance. Develops and administers
departmental budget and has authority to modify
budget based on changing circumstances.
· Establishes and maintains optimal
standards of performance for the department or
program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
· Responsible for ensuring that public
and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
· Acts as a technical liaison to
individuals within and outside TNC with
responsibility to act indendepently regarding
technical matters pertaining to his/her field.
· Establishes excellent working
relationships with outside partners, government
agencies, field programs, and the academic community.
· Leverages constructive and effective
relationships inside and outside TNC.
· Works effectively in high-tension
situations and maintains composure under
pressure. Diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
· Works and communicates effectively with
a diverse group of people, including scientists,
staff, and others, providing and obtaining needed information.
· Collaborates with a wide range of
conservation partners to identify research needs,
present technical concepts at national or
international conferences, and support fieldwork.
· Provides training for internal and
external colleagues on ecological and conservational scientific principles.
· Ability to simplify and explain complex
scientific concepts to general audiences.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Director of Science may work in variable
weather conditions, at remote locations, on
difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
These conditions may:
· require physical exertion and/or muscular strain
· present possibility of injury
· require long hours in isolated settings
This position also requires the willingness to
travel regularly and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Apply online for this position at nature.org/careers
