Job title: Climate Adaptation Coordinator Reports to: Challenges Director (to be appointed), Chief Conservation Officer (in the meantime)
The Climate Adaptation Coordinator is a full time position based at the Bronx Zoo, the New York headquarters of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). WCS, an international conservation organization, seeks candidates interested in applying their analytical and strategic skills to advancing the cause of conservation of wildlife and wild places. Position Objectives Help incorporate anticipated impacts of climate change into conservation planning and implementation through WCSs landscape, seascape, and species conservation programs. Help WCS promote successful approaches among governments and multilateral institutions to enhancing the ability of natural systems and wildlife species to adapt to climate change; help promote the conservation of natural ecosystems as a cost-effective and practical means of addressing the impacts of climate change on humans and wildlife (ecosystem-based adaptation). Primary Responsibilities 1. Climate Change Adaptation Technical Direction a. Help WCS field staff assess the likely future impacts of climate change on WCS priority conservation sites and species using best available climate models and other data. b. Work with science and conservation staff from global and field programs to identify and gather information, data and other relevant resources, to help field programs build the changing global climate into program planning and development, and integrate climate change adaptation strategies into their activities. 2. Climate Change and Policy a. Work with WCS field staff to evaluate and document the role of protected areas and other conservation measures as a climate change adaptation strategy for humans and wildlife (for example, in terms of reducing vulnerability of natural-resource dependent communities, enhancing water availability, supporting agricultural resilience). b. Work with WCS policy staff to assess lessons learned from WCS field projects and disseminate results to policy makers. c. Represent WCS as needed in climate change adaptation discussions at UNFCCC, CBD, World Bank and with other partners to reinforce policy and financial support for climate adaptation for wildlife and ecosystem-based adaptation. 3. Program Development. a. Help raise funds for WCS climate adaptation programs and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies. b. Develop and guide WCS priorities for future climate adaptation activities and strategies. Professional Requirements Advanced degree in landscape ecology, climate change ecology, modeling climate impacts on natural systems, conservation biology or related field Familiarity with Geographic Information skills (spatial analysis, environmental remote sensing). Strong communication and interpersonal skills Experience implementing strategic initiatives across a global organization Demonstrated ability to thrive in an organization characterized by a highly educated and mission-driven workforce. Demonstrated ability to produce concise written summaries of analytical findings Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three referees to [email protected], and Pamela Watim ([email protected]). For more information about Wildlife Conservation Society, please visit our website at: http://www.wcs.org.
