IDDRI – Biodiversity Director

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected, connected and innovative think tank at the heart of the policy debate on biodiversity governance.

IDDRI is looking for a Biodiversity Director, ready to take on the challenge of developing the new impact strategy on Biodiversity protection, building on IDDRI’s existing networks, on its past and ongoing interventions and on an analysis of the current changes in global governance and the outcomes of COP15 of the CBD.

Responsibilities

Impact strategy development and implementation:

Within the terms of the overall strategy, and in collaboration with the team, you will develop the impact strategy of the Biodiversity unit, be responsible for its implementation and the regular evaluation of its achievements with a view of fostering collective learning and making any necessary adjustments. You’ll also contribute, under the leadership of the Co-Directors of Programmes, to the general development of IDDRI’s overall work programme.

Supportive and effective team management:

This will involve contributing to the collective understanding and ownership of IDDRI’s strategy and fostering the team and collective spirit in the organization. You will also provide effective support and coaching to team members, including direct support to researchers in the content and methodological approach of their work.

Intellectual outputs:

Besides ensuring the scientific and policy relevance of the unit’s strategy, you’ll be in charge of developing networks and dialogues with relevant stakeholders (public and private, NGOs, etc.) and also conceive and when necessary, lead research programmes with IDDRI’s key partners.

Communication and representation:

Your role involves a good level of influencing. This requires representing IDDRI in high level meetings and the media, as well as ensuring the team’s participation in the relevant technical and policy arenas. You’ll also define, in cooperation with the Communications team, an impactful communications strategy.

Fundraising, finance, and overall management:

You’ll be responsible for proposing the allocation of resources in support of the strategy and within the means and overall constraints of the Institute. You will manage and report on the unit’s budget, develop and implement the unit’s fundraising strategy, and contribute to IDDRI’s overall core funding.

Qualifications Required

• Master’s degree in a field closely related to biodiversity; A PHD would be an additional asset
• 8 years of experience in a similar organization (think tank, NGO) or in the public or private sector. A combination of experiences would be an asset
• At least 3-4 years of successful management experience
• An experience of global governance processes or national / regional policy processes and networks relevant for biodiversity

Required skills and competencies

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to develop impact strategies and to be innovative and decisive.
• Capacity to prioritize the policy and political processes that would have the most impact for biodiversity protection
• Experience in the academic and political debates on the impact on biodiversity of different land use, land use change and land use planning
• Good team and project (including budgets) management skills
• Fundraising and managing successful partnerships
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) including debating and public speaking skills
• Strong team player, combining scientific rigor with a flexible and cooperative spirit
• Open to debate, answerable, and able to take a step back to ensure greater overall insight
• Fluent in English (native or C1 level) and a reasonable command of French (with the potential for holding debates in French within a year).