Global Forest NCS Technical Specialist

The Nature Conservancy•Arlington, IN

9d•$65,200 - $103,800

About The Position

What We Can Achieve Together: The Global Conservation Strategy Analyst II supports the development and implementation of a key global strategy at TNC. They may take the lead on development and implementation of one or more strategies. The Analyst II supports global strategy leadership by assisting with and/or managing priority projects and serves as a technical resource on the relevant global strategy and/or project(s). They liaise with other TNC staff, notably field colleagues, as well as external actors as applicable, to help drive the implementation of the global strategy and associated projects in the places where TNC works. They track and/or assess corporate practices, governmental policies and decisions, or the practices or views of other stakeholders concerning the strategy or priority project and their potential impact on organizational conservation goals. They may advise TNC communications, marketing, and philanthropy staff on global strategy, priority project(s), and related matters. May involve domestic and international travel of 25% or more. This is a 2-year, limited-term position with the possibility of extension based on additional funding and deliverables. We’re Looking for You: The Specialist provides technical support across The Nature Conservancy’s global forest-related NCS portfolio. This crosscutting role supports the Global NCS team in advancing the science, tools, methodologies, and enabling conditions needed to scale forest-based NCS interventions globally. With a strong emphasis on quantification of forest resources in the context of restoration, management, and avoided deforestation, the Specialist contributes to program development and implementation that supports the organization in meeting its internal 2030 goals. They serve as a technical resource and thought partner to global and regional teams, translating forest science into practice, building technical capacity, and fostering innovation across various geographies and contexts. They bring technical expertise and experience relevant to scoping, implementing, and monitoring NCS practices at local to global scales, including skills related to one or more of the following: NCS practice implementation, quantification of forest carbon, forest management, and carbon/ NCS accounting. The role will primarily focus on implementation of TNC’s global reforestation and climate smart forestry (CSF) strategies, including, but not limited to: (i) supporting/leading innovative technical work that increase TNC’s portfolio of climate smart forestry, reforestation projects that demonstrate near-term impact and develop data/tools to clarify how forest management techniques contribute to climate mitigation; (ii) enable scaling of NCS forest pathways by developing evidence that supports forest sectoral change, influences policy at global and national scales, engages corporate and market interests, and expands opportunities for equitable NCS forest pathways implementation; (iii) support knowledge sharing both internally and externally, and builds technical capacity within TNC and among external partners to support implementation of robust, effective forest based NCS projects and (iv) continue to develop our understanding about the co-benefits of NCS forest based pathways including, but not limited to: resilience, water, people and biodiversity benefits. Projects will include a focus on ensuring equity, benefit sharing with relevant communities, and working alongside Indigenous and local communities whenever feasible. This role requires a blend of forest technical and scientific expertise, experience in directly supporting field programs, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership to ensure that forest NCS efforts are impactful, scalable, and responsive to global conservation priorities. Deliverables will be grounded in robust scientific evidence, aligned with global strategy, and positioned for transformative impact. Workstreams may include a mix of original research, tool building, interpretation and application of existing NCS forest work, and communication and outreach. The Specialist may lead on the development and implementation of one or more forest-focused strategies within TNC’s broader NCS agenda.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, forestry, or related field and at least 4 years related experience, or equivalent combination.
Experience leading complex forest-related projects or strategic initiatives in an unstructured environment.
Experience in statistically analyzing data relevant to forest-based NCS using code-based tools, and applying learnings in collaboration with field-based teams.
Experience with technical elements of forest NCS accounting, e.g., IFM, ARR, REDD. Experience may be in the context of carbon markets and/ or non-market NCS accounting.
Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources, and synthesizing that information for applicability and decision making in the context of forest and natural resource management.
Experience with communication and outreach related to forest conservation and climate solutions.
Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context, particularly in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, forest science, policy, markets, and field implementation teams.

Nice To Haves

Multi-lingual skills (especially French, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, or Bahasa) and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience are appreciated.
Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, forestry, or a related field.
Critical analytical thinking and excellent English writing skills are essential.
Experience working in different forest contexts, e.g., public/private ownerships, across different global regions, with a focus on different forest resources like carbon, timber, or biodiversity.
Familiarity and knowledge related to business, governmental, and/or environmental policy and practices about the global strategy area of focus.
Familiarity with fire management approaches and strategies.
Ability to develop and drive new ideas and approaches.
Ability to work well in a highly matrixed, decentralized, and collaborative organization.
Possesses strong interpersonal skills and political savvy.
Must be a team player.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
Some project management skills are appreciated.
NGO and/or corporate relations experience.

Responsibilities

Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to connect technical work to forest NCS pathways, including restoration, climate-smart forestry, and avoided deforestation, to support program objectives and implementation, ensuring alignment with relevant global strategies and local needs.
Conduct or guide strategic technical analyses related to climate-smart forestry and/ or reforestation. This work will analyze and implement a wide range of potential outcomes and enabling conditions relevant to forest NCS. This may take place at different scales and across a range of required uncertainties. The focus of analyses and applications may include forest NCS tools, methodologies, and decision-support systems, integrating ecological, economic, and social dimensions.
Adapt workflows and processes in response to evolving program priorities and external conditions. This work may include primary data collection and processing, statistical analysis and coding, science/technical interpretation, building tools for field application of science, or adapting any of these processes to the unique needs of on-the-ground NCS implementation.
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to co-develop applied research, pilot projects, and scalable models for forest NCS implementation.
Advise on the integration of forest NCS practices into broader climate and biodiversity goals, including contributions to forest protection, regenerative economies, markets, finance, policy, and supply chain strategies.
Support fundraising and donor engagement efforts, including development of technical content for proposals, reports, and communications focused on forest NCS.
Provide training, mentorship, and capacity building to TNC staff and partners on forest NCS science, tools, and implementation strategies.
Represent TNC in technical forums and working groups, sharing insights and contributing to the global dialogue on forest-based climate solutions.
Makes strategic decisions based on analysis, experience, and context, contributing to the strategic global scaling of TNC’s forest NCS program.
Develops reports, presentations, and assessments on relevant topics.
Serves as a team leader for assigned projects; may require gaining cooperation of team over whom there is no direct supervisory authority.
May lead or support the development of an avoided deforestation strategy, including identification of high-impact opportunities, intervention design, and monitoring frameworks.
Works within a budget to complete projects, negotiates and contracts with vendors, and assists with budget development.

Benefits

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

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