Sustainable Resource Manager, Research Director

Job Title: Sustainable Resource Manager, Research Director
Reports to: International Director of Research
Department: Research
Terms: Full time, salaried, exempt

The Opportunity

Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organization that engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education in order to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

Our international Marketing & Communications department produces a wide variety of publications and marketing collateral (both print and electronic) in support of our participant recruitment, membership, development and programmatic initiatives. Poised to implement an exciting and focused 10 year vision, every member of the Marketing & Communications team will be instrumental in telling (and showing) the Earthwatch story to the world.

Building on its rich 35-year history, Earthwatch has unlimited potential to affect change at this important time in our world's history.

A. Summary of role

The Research Scientist for Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) will be responsible for the development of:

* a portfolio of field research projects and funded programs.
* programs to enhance and leverage research findings into management plans, agendas, publications and community legacy building activities.
* capacity building activities to support scientists.
* presentations and publications to communicate findings to key audiences.

The Earthwatch SRM Program covers a wide diversity of biomes and potential programs concerning the sustainable management of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The Research Scientist is expected to develop a world class research program to address the following goals:

* Ensuring the sustainability of forested, agricultural and freshwater ecosystems through optimisation of multiple ecosystem services including production.
* Effective management of protected areas and species at the landscape scale, to enhance biodiversity, and provide regional and local ecosystem services.

Reflecting the breadth of this program, four Initiatives have been developed to support the SRM Program:

* Protected Areas and Species
* Agricultural Ecosystems
* Forested Ecosystems
* Freshwater Ecosystems

The Research Scientist for SRM will oversee and implement the entire SRM Program, including the SRM strategic plan. The Research Scientist for SRM will be specifically responsible for implementing the Agricultural Ecosystems, Forested Ecosystems, and Freshwater Ecosystems' Initiatives, although other research staff will make contributions to specific projects and programs. The Protected Areas and Species (PA&S) Initiative is the Initiative with the largest project portfolio and will be developed and implemented by a Research Scientist for PA&S who will report directly to the Research Scientist for SRM.

The Research Scientist for SRM will be expected to develop strong partnerships with relevant scientific and conservation working groups and organizations. Furthermore, it is expected that the Research Scientist for SRM will look to develop significant funded programs for the Program, as well as use these opportunities for personal development of scientific interests as they fit in with the existing Initiatives and projects.

The Research Scientist for SRM will also be responsible for supporting the International Research Department in implementing other activities within Earthwatch's International Research Program, such as communications and capacity building.

The Research Scientist for SRM will report to the International Director of Research, who is responsible for overseeing and implementing Earthwatch's International Research Program.

B. SRM Priority Research Area (PRA) related responsibilities

Goal 1: Develop and implement strategic programs (i.e. Priority Research Areas) that contribute to achieving a sustainable environment through field research projects and applied conservation programs.

Goal 2: Engage key stakeholders and the general public through field research, experiential learning and dedicated learning curricula for a sustainable environment.

Goal 3: Communicate field research and experiential learning outcomes to key decision-makers and target stakeholder groups.

Goal 4: Operate as a united, effective, and cost efficient international organization.

Organizational goals

* Develop and implement individual training and development plan.
* Support reduce of Environmental Impact of Earthwatch program activities

C. Qualifications

* Appropriate scientific/environmental doctorate, or equivalent experience, is required.
* Experience of conducting own research on ecosystem processes such as soils, freshwater, carbon, production.
* Experience of leading and managing applied research and conservation programs, including financial management, preferably international.
* Proven experience of collaboration or involvement with a range of partnerships (e.g. corporate, NGO) would be an advantage.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills including public speaking and science writing.
* Ability to work professionally with colleagues, partner organisations and donors at all levels.
* Demonstrable personal effectiveness in setting standards, reaching solutions and completing tasks for multiple concurrent projects.
* Ability to act under own initiative but also to work as a team player.
* Good staff management skills.
* Administration and IT skills.

* Due to limited time and financial resources we are only able to accept applicants who are already eligible to work in the United States for any employer.

Salary 55K to 70K with good benefits