We are a consultancy based in Cambridge (UK), specialising in biodiversity management. We work with leading clients across many sectors with the goal of achieving an environmentally sustainable basis for development, by delivering practical solutions for managing biodiversity risk and achieving conservation outcomes. We work on some of the most environmentally complex development projects in the world, across sectors, including energy (particularly hydropower, wind, solar, and geothermal), extractives (mining and oil & gas), agriculture, infrastructure, supply chains and finance.
Person specification
Our ideal candidate is a biodiversity/conservation professional who is keen to take on a new challenge. We are looking for an adept team player who is comfortable working within multi-cultural teams in different environments and countries. At the same time you are able to take leadership decisions where necessary and feel at ease working autonomously. The right candidate will be driven by self-motivation and a desire to deliver creative and rigorous solutions. You have had a developing world focus in your work, and understand that human and biodiversity issues cannot be separated in such countries.
The capacity to understand our clients’ views, coupled with core ecological principles, fieldwork experience and sound biodiversity knowledge is the making of a TBC consultant. It is this ability to think creatively and put oneself in the shoes of all stakeholders, especially project proponents, that enables TBC consultants to understand risks and opportunities and to offer solutions.
You will be at ease digesting, dissecting and summarising large amounts of information into readable, technically sound and decision-focused reporting. We need versatile communicators and writers who can explain the value of our work to diverse audiences, as well as write clear concise reports and papers. In addition, we are looking for a problem-solver with the capacity to reduce complex issues into scientifically and politically defensible solutions that can be communicated effectively to specialists and non-specialists alike.
You are likely to come from an ecology-related background, e.g. landscape ecology, marine science, restoration ecology, HCV assessment, conservation planning, socio-economics, ecosystem services evaluation and/or protected areas management, all with non-OECD focus. Sector experience such as forestry, agribusiness, infrastructure, extractives and/or renewable energy will also be viewed favourably.
If you have an affinity for nature, have worked in conservation or international environmental management, and wish to make a real change to the way the world works then the post may be for you.
Roles
- Interpretation and analysis of a wide range of environmental and social data
- Supporting clients to interpret, understand and apply financial lending criteria, e.g. IFC PS6
- Working as part of a project team, with responsibility for project elements
- Management and critical review of small projects with multiple inputs and collaborators, ensuring timely delivery of on-budget projects to the requisite level of quality and technical substance
- Design of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) baseline surveys
- Review and implementation of impact assessment
- Inputting into the design and implementation of the mitigation hierarchy, including biodiversity offsets
- Contribution to, and facilitation of stakeholder engagement processes, both remotely and in-country, with government, civil society and industry
- Research and writing on technical and scientific aspects of biodiversity, ecosystem services and natural capital, for publication.
- Writing and editing succinct reports, and delivering presentations
- Networking globally within the conservation movement
- Developing new business in line with TBC strategy and due diligence framework
- Recruitment and management of specialist contractors (e.g. species experts, regional ecosystem experts)
- Other duties commensurate with the role.
Attributes
Essential attributes
- Three years or more experience in a non-OECD context in a relevant field, such as biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, socio-economic assessment or environmental (ecological) consultancy
- Solid, technical background and education in a biodiversity-related discipline, such as ecology, natural resource management and/or conservation. E.g. candidates bringing a specialist field expertise such as botany or marine science, an HCV specialist, conservation planner, restoration ecologist, ecosystem services specialist or protected areas and livelihoods expert, all with non-OECD focus, would be appropriate.
- Field experience related to biodiversity, conservation and/or ecology – e.g. a species specialist / expert in biodiversity priority setting; a conservation planner; a natural resource manager; a protected areas specialist; a forest manager; a HCV specialist; and/or a biodiversity policy expert
- Familiarity with international biodiversity, socio-economics, natural resource and livelihood issues, especially in the developing world
- Experience with IUCN red listing or species action plans, or experience with specific biodiversity survey and management methods;
- Excellent communication skills across a range of media, with experience of explaining complex issues to non-technical audiences in an engaging and meaningful way
- Experience of managing small/medium projects
- A willingness to work with the private sector, understand their needs, and operate strategically within client organisations which might hold vastly different core values
- An ability to provide intellectual leadership, creativity and simplicity to problem solving
- Willingness and enthusiasm to travel globally and work in challenging environments
- Familiarity and experience with scientific publishing
- Positivity and teamwork
- Honours degree in a relevant discipline
- A Masters’ degree or equivalent post-graduate studies in relevant disciplines
- GIS skills.
Desirable attributes
- Experience and expertise in tropical marine ecology
- Experience and expertise in restoration ecology
- Experience of consumer goods and/or supply chains
- Experience in one of more of the following sectors: mining; oil and gas; renewable energy; infrastructure; forestry; agribusiness
- Experience of training/mentoring biodiversity/ecosystem service professionals in non-OECD contexts
- Skill and experience of managing complex projects.
- Experience of working across a range of communities and cultures
- Solid consultancy experience
- PhD in environmental or relevant social discipline
- A proven ability to be able to work in French, Spanish and/or Portuguese.
Position details
- Location: Cambridge, UK with potentially significant international travel
- Full-time (near full-time also considered)
- Salary range: £32,000-£45,000 PA (Full time) + benefits (25 days’ holiday, work pension scheme, life insurance and flexible working opportunities)
- Permanent contract.
Application details
Applications by 7 May 2019 to recruitment@thebiodiversityconsultancy.com
- Curriculum vitae
- A short one-page application letter explaining your interest in the job and showing clearly how you meet our job and person requirements
- Two short and pithy (max four pages each) extracts of work that you have written within the past two years
First interviews: Will be held by phone/Skype or in person.
About The Biodiversity Consultancy (TBC)
We provide technical expertise, policy advice and field capacity to the private, public and NGO/science sectors. We deliver solutions to complex biodiversity challenges such as developing Science-based Targets for biodiversity, No Net Loss/Net Positive Impact, international lender and best-practice standards, and biodiversity offsets. We specialise in the environmental lending criteria of major international financial institutions, such as IFC PS6, EBRD PR6, WB ESS6. We conducted the first field pilots of the current IFC PS6, and are now watching these projects deliver both real biodiversity outcomes and business value.
We have leading expertise in quantitative – but clear and simple – metrics for biodiversity. This core capacity lays a foundation for emerging business needs such as measurement of loss and gain of biodiversity in impact assessment, offset design, and monitoring & evaluation. We use our breadth of expertise to develop corporate and government policy and to build national capacity to run programmes we have initiated. We exercise a due diligence process and only work with clients who demonstrate a real motivation for quality and leadership. Known for pragmatic intellectual leadership, we are a resource for problem-solving and a platform for cross-sector engagement. Examples of our work can be found at: www.thebiodiversityconsultancy.com
We are a small consultancy that places high value on its experienced and expert staff. There is scope for you to shape the role to make it your own We also welcome input into TBC’s broader strategic direction. We believe that the right individual will grow and flourish in TBC’s stimulating, collaborative and flexible culture. Personal development is important to us and as such we offer a comprehensive, tailored induction and ongoing in-house and external training opportunities.
At heart we are committed conservationists, who believe we can make more of an impact by working with industry. We take significant steps to live our values, from a careful due diligence process with our projects and clients to environmental policies covering the way we work. We invest in the environmental leaders of the future through our internship programme. TBC also donates 12.5% of its profits to environmental causes chosen by staff.
