Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Conservation International (CI) believes that getting the right rules and incentives in place, the right policy framework, is essential to achieving our mission to “empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity”. Policies to harness the immediate potential of natural climate solutions (NCSare essential to addressing global climate change and this position will have a heavy focus on informing such policies in the region). At the same time, ambitious global policies on how we manage biodiversity and the high seas will be developed over the next few years and the countries of the Asia Pacific Region will be an important voice in how they are formulated and implemented. 

The Asia Pacific Policy Lead will have the opportunity to be a part of a Global Policy and Government Affairs team that leads CI’s engagement in international policy arenas and works directly with CI country programs to implement key policies at the national level. Additionally, they will be embedded in CI’s Asia Pacific Field Division, which spans 14 countries with a regional headquarters in Singapore. 

Candidate is expected to have a minimum of 7 years of related work experience, preferably in the conservation or government arena and hold a Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, politics, or related fields.

They will be responsible for working with select CI country programs in the region to develop policy recommendations and implement strategies to influence the design of domestic policy frameworks related to natural climate solutions (NCS). As a secondary priority, they will be responsible for supporting key CI country programs in the region to engage their governments on their positions for global negotiations on other emerging priorities in the international policy arena (e.g. biodiversity and the high seas). They will have the opportunity to leverage Conservation International’s strong foundation in policy engagement in the region as well as in the Global Policy and Government Affairs team.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with CI country programs, develop policy recommendations and design and implement strategies to influence the design of policy frameworks to facilitate demand for natural climate solutions (NCS) through domestic carbon markets in Singapore and other key countries in the region (likely Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, China, etc).  
• In collaboration with CI country programs develop policy recommendations and design and implement strategies to influence the design of policy frameworks to facilitate the delivery of high-quality NCS credits for domestic and international markets. Likely countries in the region include Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines.
• Support CI country programs in the region to influence their governments’ positions on key elements of the global negotiations on new biodiversity goals and management of the high seas according to CI’s organizational objectives for these negotiations. Particularly CI programs in Indonesia, Japan, and the Pacific Islands. Prior experience in these areas is not necessary, only an understanding of international policy processes.  
• Support collaboration with external partners to create shared policy guidance for national governments related to CI’s climate, biodiversity, and ocean policy priorities. 
• Plan and track programmatic activities to comply with international donor requirements and reporting.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain records for project documentation and donor reporting
• Potentially able to fundraise and handle development opportunities and inquiries 
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor such as: overseeing an intern or developing a budget for a proposal
• Act as liaison with public and private sector partners. 
• Present and speak publicly at events and conferences in the region 

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Does not manage staff but assists peers and may direct the work of intern, volunteers, contractors, and others. 
• Does have limited authority to allocate appropriate resources or approve appropriate budget expenditures when necessary

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is based in the Asia-Pacific region. CI’s Asia-Pacific Field Division is headquartered in Singapore. Preference for the position to be placed in Singapore, Jakarta, Manilla, or New Zealand.
• The position requires up to 25% domestic and international travel.
• This is a fast-paced work environment that will require regular early morning or evening work for phone calls with CI programs in other time zones.