Conservation International (CI) seeks a GIS and forest carbon coordinator with strong analytical and communication skills to assist on a number of projects focused on sustainable landscapes and reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+).
CI works with a wide range of partners to support REDD+ and Blue Carbon projects and initiatives that help combat climate change by reducing deforestation and conserving critical ecosystem services while integrating sustainable production and focusing on improving human well-being. CI has also developed the Landscape Assessment Framework (LAF) to holistically measure, monitor and communicate the sustainability of landscapes, and has been implementing it in several landscapes across the globe.
The Coordinator will work on gathering, organizing, and analyzing information related to carbon projects. They will be responsible for contacting data-holder organizations, downloading spatial and tabular data from online sources, converting data to useable formats and performing spatial analysis. The position will provide support for the development of feasibility assessments for potential REDD+ or blue carbon initiatives, which might include field visits, writing reports, and organization data for verified carbon certifications. In addition, the Coordinator will coordinate the implementation of the LAF with field teams, other divisions and the Sustainable Landscape and Seascape program, including the creation of summary cards and dashboards. Under the guidance of the Technical Director, the coordinator might provide training on the tools related to the LAF.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordinate the implementation of the Landscape Assessment Framework (LAF):
- Contribute to the design of key indicators, gather and organize biophysical and socio-economic data, and perform GIS analysis
- Contact data-holder organizations, download spatial and tabular data from online sources, and convert data to appropriate formats
- Use remote sensing and GIS techniques to gather and analysis freely available remote sensing data on the landscape scale
- Manage data and synthesis information of a range of data types, GIS related and otherwise
- Coordinate the development of the LAF with relevant teams in the field and provide technical support and conduct workshops related to the LAF for CI field staff and relevant partners
Provide support for current and potential carbon projects:
- Use remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess rates of deforestation in key areas
- Conduct carbon accounting activities in accordance to the voluntary carbon standards requirements (e.g. VCS guidelines and CCBS)
- Support on feasibility assessments reports by creating maps, graphs and tables
General support to the Carbon Fund team
- Generate internal and external cartographic products and presentations
- Coordinate with other programs the integration of LAF data with other institutional monitoring initiatives
- Review, edit and format documents and reports to improve readability and maintain visual consistency among Carbon Fund documents
WORKING CONDITIONS
This is a full-time (35 hours per week) 12-month fixed term position. There is potential to extend the position depending on need and funding. Infrequent travel is required, up to 10%. Flexibility in work schedule required in order to accommodate time differences across CI’s global offices. This position could be based in CI’s office in Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA; Lima, Peru; Mexico City, Mexico; or Bogota, Colombia. Flexibility to work from one of CI’s other offices may be considered.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 1-3 years of work experience in geography, natural science, or related field.
- Work experience with Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), and sustainable landscape approach
- Demonstrated knowledge on forest conservation, carbon accounting, carbon standards and certification processes, primarily VCS and CCB Standards;
- Demonstrated GIS & Cartography skills with experience in ArcGIS and/or QGIS
- Experience with Tableau and/or Power BI, and Microsoft Office Excel & Word and
- Ability to work independently
- Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail
- Good written communication skills
- Strong analytical skills
Preferred
- Bachelor or Master’s degree in a quantitative field (geography, natural science, GIS, climate science or related field);
- Familiarity with land management project design (e.g. using Open Standards), project management and financial modelling;
- Work experience with indigenous peoples and traditional communities;
- Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese and/or French.
View all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International Values
We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.
Passion: We are inspired by nature and cherish the diversity of life in all of its forms.
Respect: We respect and trust each other, and we embrace our diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
Integrity: We act with integrity and are accountable for our actions.
Optimism: We are optimistic about the future of life on Earth and are confident that, with our partners, we will achieve unprecedented conservation results.
Courage: We tirelessly pursue our vision, taking bold action and persevering through challenges.
Teamwork: We work together, recognizing that openness, collaboration and cooperation are fundamental to achieving a healthy and prosperous world for all.
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