Technical Lead, Ecosystem Services Unit

Summary

Join Winrock International as a Technical Lead in the Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) within the Environment & Energy Group (E2). This role involves leading technical projects, conducting GHG measurement and monitoring, supporting carbon accounting, and implementing innovative approaches for REDD+ and other nature-based solutions. You will manage projects, develop work plans and budgets, and supervise young professionals. This position requires a Master's degree in a relevant field, 5-7 years of experience in GHG accounting, and proficiency in GIS software, forest inventories, and statistical techniques. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with fluency in Portuguese and/or Spanish. This position offers a competitive salary, a 10% 403b annual employer contribution, and an excellent benefits package.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, ecology, climate change, or other related fields
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in GHG accounting for the land use sector, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and ecosystem services
• Extensive knowledge and proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS and QGIS)
• Experience with forest inventories, biomass data collection and field data collection
• Experience with geostatistical and inferential statistical techniques in a natural resource management context
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistics and modeling (including machine learning)
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex projects
• Ability to contribute to project operations and workflow effectively and to track and meet deadlines for multiple tasks
• Knowledge or experience in the development of AFOLU/REDD+ projects and/or programs in the voluntary and/or compliance carbon market
• Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form
• Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with clients and partners, including government ministries and officials at national and local levels, non-profit organizations, the private sector, foundations, multilateral organizations, and the U.S. Government
• Willingness to travel to developing countries as required by portfolio/new business opportunities
• F luency in Portuguese and/or Spanish is required
• International travel is required for this role (approx. 20%)
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

Responsibilities

• Conduct GHG measurement and monitoring in forest systems
• Perform calculations using greenhouse gas and activity data on AFOLU projects
• Support with carbon accounting and credit yield estimation for REDD+ projects
• Conduct innovative approaches and rigorous analyses and employ analytical methods and interpretations of international policy relevant to the work of ECO, particularly REDD+
• Implement statistically sound approaches to project design and data analysis for carbon, including use of field data, new statistical tools, and models
• Prepare technical analysis reports, presentations, and other communication materials related to carbon accounting, translating technical topics into terms that are meaningful to more diverse audiences
• Provide training to counterparts/stakeholders in the use of methods and internationally accepted best practices
• Implement scientifically robust geospatial and remote sensing solutions
• Manage key projects in portfolio producing high quality deliverables/products
• Develop project work plans, budgets and reports
• Track and monitor projects as assigned to ensure they are fulfilling deliverable and performance requirements at a high quality, on time, and on budget
• Support budget management for specific projects to ensure effective financial management including tracking of budgets, subawards, and flag issues as needed
• Supervise Home Office young professionals providing direct project support and guidance
• Maintain day-to-day client/funder communications
• Provide accurate, consistent, and coherent technical guidance and explanation to clients and donors
• Manage client relationships by communicating clearly with and addressing clients’ needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) is strongly preferred
• Additional years of experience preferred
• Comprehensive knowledge of Google Earth Engine (JavaScript and/or Python) is strongly preferred
• Proficiency in R/Python is strongly preferred
• Understanding of the development and implementation of REDD+ standards, projects, and programs is strongly preferred
• Experience working in developing countries is strongly preferred

Benefits

This position has a salary range between $110,000 and $120,000 with an additional 10% 403b annual employer contribution and excellent benefits package