Senior Technical Lead, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO)

POSITION TITLE: Senior Technical Lead, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) LOCATION: Arlington, Virginia or US Hybrid DEPARTMENT: Environment and Energy UNIT: Ecosystem Services Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world. POSITION SUMMARY Position Purpose: The Senior Technical Lead will lead technical components of ECO’s global work in food and forest systems including GHG measurement and monitoring, climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate risk analysis, and ecosystem evaluation. The Senior Technical Lead manages client interactions, oversees qualitative and quantitative technical analysis, contributes to project communications, and provides quality control and evaluation of technical deliverables. In addition, the position will also play a role in business development through technical proposal writing and budgeting. This position may be based remotely within the United States but is expected to work East Coast hours (EST). ECO team projects may include: Conducting GHG measurement and monitoring activities for companies, governments, and NGOs around the world. Developing forest inventory design, carbon measurement, and monitoring protocols. Building capacity building tools and training programs for ecosystem assessments. Creating decision-support tools for the measurement and monitoring of GHG emissions and ecosystem services in the land use and forestry sectors. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES Major Responsibilities: Lead GHG measurement and monitoring, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and climate risk analysis projects. Develop and implement statistically sound approaches to project design and data analysis for carbon projects, including use of field data, new statistical tools, and models. Recommend and implement new approaches that strengthen Winrock International’s reputation for sound science and expand the visibility of Winrock International as leading developers of measurement and monitoring methods. Prepare technical analyses, reports, presentations, and other communication, translating technical topics into terms that are meaningful to more diverse audiences. Maintain day-to-day client communications. Provide accurate, consistent, and coherent technical guidance and explanations to clients and donors. Provide training to counterparts/stakeholders in the use of methods and internationally accepted best practices. Network with external stakeholders and other experts to ensure that project approaches reflect cutting edge technical approaches. Augment ECO’s technical visibility with key stakeholders, practitioners, and donors with an eye towards identifying and engaging promising partners for collaboration and innovation. Provide effective supervision to a team of up to three staff including setting performance expectations, providing ongoing feedback and coaching, and conducting regular performance evaluations. Grow ECO new business by leading proposals, and/or serving as a technical lead, contributor, or reviewer; leading decisions on whether to pursue ECO new business opportunities; mentoring staff; and working closely with the ECO leadership team, New Business Support Unit and E2 New Business Manager to ensure the delivery of quality proposals. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Education: Graduate level degree in environmental science, forestry, natural resource management, ecology, geography, or a related discipline is needed.; terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) preferred. Experience: Minimum seven years of relevant experience in climate change adaptation/mitigation/resilience and GHG accounting for land use required. Additional years of experience are strongly preferred. Experience leading complex technical projects with a diverse team of staff and consultants. Experience developing, mentoring, and managing technical staff. Required: Experience in land use change models, GHG accounting, ecosystem services and related fields is needed. Knowledge of project carbon accounting, land use change models, and potential mitigation strategies of food and forest projects. Experience in the development of AFOLU projects and/or programs in the voluntary and/or compliance carbon market. Working understanding or experience with preparing submissions or reporting against key climate corporate leadership standards (e.g. GHG Protocol, Science-Based Targets Initiative’s standards) is preferred. Demonstrated experience in research and public communication on technical issues, including peer-reviewed publications. Overseas experience with technical and/or operational issues related to GHG accounting and land use, or related issues. Experience working in developing countries is preferred. As a condition of employment at Winrock, all US-based Winrock staff, regardless of location must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Winrock offers competitive pay and an excellent benefits package. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Winrock would like to thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are shortlisted will be contacted. Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation. Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization