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Global Climate & Energy Lead Scientist - 21066

Employer
WWF Washington, DC
Location
Indian, Maine, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Sep 9, 2021

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Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Climate Change
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
WWF's half-century of conservation success is rooted firmly in science; it informs and underpins everything we do. The scientific rigor we bring to our work is unmatched in the nonprofit conservation sector. The Global Science Team advances a coordinated WWF effort delivering science for tangible biodiversity conservation at the speed and scale commensurate with the trends of the world today.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organizations, seeks a Global Climate & Energy Lead Scientist. The Global Climate & Energy Lead Scientist (Lead Scientist) reports directly to the Chief Scientist and provides the scientific leadership for WWF's Global Climate & Energy Practice. The Lead Scientist will be a key partner in the WWF Network-wide effort to advance WWF's ambitious agenda, particularly in Nature-based Solutions for Climate. They will provide thought leadership, science direction for goal setting, scientific analysis in support of strategy development, and the management of internal and external science talent to support the Global Climate & Energy team. The Lead Scientist will sit on the WWF Global Science Leadership Team and will serve as a member of the Climate & Energy Practice Core Team for strengthening the vision and impact design of its initiatives and efforts and providing expertise and support for interdisciplinary analyses to advance cross-practice and cross-functional synergies. This is an unparalleled opportunity for a dynamic, strategic thinker who is passionate about WWF's mission and has demonstrated success in leading rigorous, applied scientific research with partners to support issues related to mitigation, adaptation, and risks associated with climate change, as well as the political and financial opportunities for action such as in the realms of nature-based solutions and carbon markets.

Never before has the planet faced environmental threats of the scale and urgency we see today. But as we emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown, we also find ourselves in a unique time of extraordinary opportunity for change. There is renewed focus on the connection between climate stability, the health of nature, and human well-being and the subsequent call to integrate global policies and actions to rebuild the global economy in a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable manner. The pace and scale of this transition will dictate success or failure for nature, climate change, and sustainable development. As the largest conservation organization in the world, WWF is determined to capitalize on this momentum to lead the way in the planning, financing, and implementation of scalable solutions including Nature-based Solutions projects. Success requires a candidate with intellectual depth to understand the political opportunity and who will energetically embrace it to produce solutions for the WWF Network at the intersection of science and practice.

Position responsibilities include
  • Working with leadership and colleagues to ensure that goals, strategies, and monitoring and evaluation are grounded in, and informed by, the best available science
  • Staying abreast of the scientific literature and sharing important findings with network leaders, including high-level trends and findings in climate mitigation science and advice on key roles for WWF
  • Co-leading the development of WWF strategy on voluntary carbon markets and nature-based solutions (NBS), including on credible use of carbon markets in policy and voluntary climate action (e.g., WWF's corporate and financial sector partners)
  • Supporting WWF´s work of the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi) hosted by WWF-France and ensuring nature-climate connections with the Science-based Targets Network (SBTN) including climate action measurement for different non-state players (e.g., financial institutions, companies, cities), voluntary nature action (e.g., targets, actions; SBTN) and landscape work
  • Conducting and supporting colleagues in conducting research in a conservation-relevant science discipline and publishing research in high-profile journals for impact
  • Building and maintaining an extensive network of science professionals and partnerships-with key conservation NGOs, government agencies, academics, and other groups-for the purposes of science collaboration, research, and advancing WWF's priorities
  • Representing WWF and its goals, activities, and scientific thought leadership in relevant fora
  • Leading and supporting science and fundraising efforts, in collaboration with science and practice staff, to support the WWF Network's climate work
  • Developing, analyzing and managing operating plans and grant budgets
  • Traveling internationally to represent WWF at meetings, workshops, conferences, and for the purposes of site visits and/or field-based research


Qualified candidates will possess critical competencies that include
  • Graduate degree with commensurate experience required; doctorate strongly preferred
  • Broad knowledge and expertise in ecological and/or socioeconomic aspects of climate change-climate modeling, biogeochemistry, ecology, policy, economics, or risk analysis-and in the application of climate science to conservation, policy, and/or climate action
  • Extraordinary communication skills-written, oral, and strategic - and experience leveraging the full range of modern media to realize programmatic goals
  • Sophisticated understanding of large-scale trends in climate mitigation and resilience, and of the major opportunities and threats that must be addressed
  • At least 10-15 years' experience leading collaborative research projects and integrating science into large-scale strategies and outcomes
  • Demonstrated ability to convene and direct high-level scientific capacity to inform climate change issues
  • A vision for how to achieve global climate goals through implementation of coordinated interventions and system transitions across the globe
  • Proven ability in the development and management of strategic partnerships and alliances
  • Demonstrated experience leading and fundraising for major initiatives
  • Ability to work effectively with individuals across cultures and time zones
  • Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration


To Apply:
  • Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #21066
  • Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone


As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.

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