IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Title: Monitoring and Biodiversity Officer
Summary: The Monitoring and Biodiversity Officer is responsible for working with the Foundation's staff and Board of Directors, federal agencies and other conservation partners to support the establishment of biodiversity goals with data analysis and to develop and implement an outcome-based monitoring strategy for the Foundation's conservation programs, particularly the Keystone Initiatives. In collaboration with NFWF's existing Evaluation Officer, s/he will serve as a spokesperson and will work to advance the Foundation's activities under this program.
The Keystone Initiatives are the centerpiece of the Foundation's strategic plan and will drive the organization's conservation agenda. The goal of the Keystone Initiatives is to create a core portfolio of select, issue-specific programs that will achieve long-term impact with measurable outcomes. The Monitoring and Biodiversity Officer and other members of this team are expected to be and/or become thought-leaders in their respective fields and position the Foundation as the convener of choice in the conservation community.
The Monitoring and Biodiversity Officer will serve as a catalyst within the Foundation to create new combinations of people, processes, methodologies, and ideas that will lead to breakthrough approaches to measuring the effectiveness of the Foundation's conservation programs by working with partners to create a strong culture of conservation impact assessment "on the ground." The Monitoring and Biodiversity Officer will work closely with Keystone evaluation, initiative, and program staff to create prototypes and pilots for grant partnership programs/projects that deliver measurable outcomes in accordance with the Foundation's vision and strategic plan.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Through engagement with staff and key partners, develop and build biodiversity data and analysis, outcomes definition, and monitoring as a core component of NFWF grantmaking in order to assess the progress of NFWF's conservation investments in achieving desired results.
- Continue development, implementation, and refinement of NFWF's evaluation and monitoring strategy for use across multiple scales of grantmaking (initiative, program, project).
- Lead discussions among NFWF staff, grantees, and/or partners to develop common metrics and monitoring plans, sampling and experimental designs, for effectively gauging progress and assessing achievement of outcomes at both project and program/initiative scales.
- In collaboration with NFWF program and IT staff, develop internal data collection and reporting systems for more efficiently compiling, aggregating, and disseminating project, program, and initiative outcomes to both internal (staff, Board) and external (funding partners, grantees, etc.) audiences.
- Build foundation staff and grantee capacity for using monitoring as a tool for learning and adaptive management.
- Communicate and coordinate with Foundation staff and Board on the assessment of our conservation impact to ensure strong understanding.
- Work with the Science & Evaluation team to develop the Foundation's new conservation strategy framework and goals as well as develop and/or align existing biodiversity data and monitoring methodology to ensure that relevant data are compiled for measuring progress on strategy implementation.
- Foster NFWF as a thought leader in the field on conservation monitoring and biodiversity analysis.
- Disseminate results and lessons learned from NFWF initiatives to internal and external audiences through various media, such as NFWF's website, conference presentations and publications, as appropriate.
- As time permits, respond to requests for assistance from key federal, corporate, or foundation partners and share NFWF monitoring experience and lessons learned.
- Contribute to team effort such as by assisting in the review of grant project proposals for keystone initiatives, offering information and opinion, and accomplishing special projects as needed.
- In collaboration with appropriate Foundation staff, evaluate responses to RFPs for proposed methodology, staff expertise, analytical approach, and reporting procedures and make approval recommendations.
- Conduct analyses of quantitative and qualitative data from past grantmaking and/or spatial data using Geographic Information Systems, prepare descriptive reports, and help incorporate findings into future organizational and program improvements.
- Assist in the preparation of reports, briefing materials, and recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation's Board.
- Represent the Foundation at appropriate meetings, conferences, etc.
- Conduct site visits in accordance with Foundation policy.
SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support the development of public and private partnerships to secure operational and programmatic funding for this Program in coordination with the Executive Director, Chief Science Officer, Development and Government Relations Staff, and Partnership Offices.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Science Officer and Senior Vice-President.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
(EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)
- PhD or Master's degree with equivalent experience. Five years professional experience in monitoring, biodiversity analysis, conservation outcome definition, and reporting program or project effectiveness is required. It is desirable that this experience be in a natural resource-oriented organization. Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary evaluative techniques, quantitative/statistical analysis, and adaptive management.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
- Strong speaking and writing skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Computer proficiency.
- Willingness to travel.
Compensation: Commensurate with experience.
Location: Washington, DC
To apply, please send an e-mail, with attachments in Word format, containing your cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, resume, one to two page writing samples, three professional references and your salary requirements to Marla Carter, Human Resources Manager, at HR2@nfwf.org. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
