Senior Global Practice Specialist, NRM/Climate Change

Job Title/Grade:     Senior Global Practice Specialist I (10) or Senior Global Practice Specialist II (11), Environment

Department:          Development Innovations

Reports to:            Practice Manager – Natural Resources Management, Biodiversity and Climate Change

Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks

Function of the Position

DAI seeks a mid-level professional with a background in natural resources management, climate change, resilience and/or biodiversity conservation to provide vision and enhance DAI’s technical leadership while developing a significant portfolio of projects funded by USAID and other donors.  The Global Practice Specialist (GPS) will be based within the Development Innovations/Environment Sector and:

• Support the natural resource management (NRM), biodiversity and climate change specialists within the Environment Sector establish new business targets based on market knowledge and trends;
• Help establish DAI’s reputation as a thought leader in the international community engaged in NRM, biodiversity and climate change. Experience implementing international programs that address topics such as strengthening environmental policy, climate adaptation and mitigation, sustainable landscapes, combatting wildlife trafficking, conservation finance, and marine protection would be valuable.
• Identify and help position DAI to become a leading provider of NRM and climate change technical assistance with particular emphasis on community-based, spatially oriented approaches to natural resources management and climate mitigation and adaptation;
• Develop and test innovative approaches in the above areas that get reflected in winning proposals and help put DAI at the forefront of NRM and climate change service providers to USAID, DFID and other donors;
• Create worldwide partnerships for the delivery of NRM and climate change services; and
• Deliver excellent technical support and innovation to USAID and other donor-funded projects being carried out by DAI teams worldwide. 

Roles and Responsibilities

The incumbent will network with other technical groups and business units within DAI.  The following percentage time allocations are notional, and will be tailored based upon individual capacity in key areas and company needs.

Technical   (30%)

The GPS will deliver technical expertise to field projects in the areas of natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience building. Help develop projects’ integrated approaches that combine landscape level biodiversity conservation with sound natural resource governance and climate resilient livelihoods, resulting in improved water and food security, increased resilience and sustainable economic growth. Work with Chiefs of Party and program directors to ensure projects are following or advancing best practices, achieving expected targets, meeting client expectations, and take full advantage of programs to capture and share innovations being developed by project teams.

Business Development and Growth   (40%)

Using market knowledge and analysis, work with team members to identify and prioritize opportunities that will make a significant impact, provide a return to DAI shareholders, and offer interesting and rewarding opportunities for international and local technical staff to help solve a significant development challenge.  Lead and/or support the development of winning proposals as champion and/or lead or supporting writer. Work with proposal teams to formulate convincing technical approaches, develop responsive technical narratives, competitive staffing and management structures, and provide inputs into the proposal budgeting process. 

Knowledge Management (15%)

The GPS will work with DAI’s technical sectors to identify and highlight innovative approaches being implemented in projects around the world.  Using this knowledge base, participate in diverse NRM and climate change networks and events that provide strategic opportunities to showcase work being carried out by DAI. He/she will seek out opportunities to expand internal and external understanding of DAI’s work in NRM and climate change, advance the use of ecosystem level conservation and adaptation tools, draft articles for DAI’s “Developments” and other publications, and develop and maintain external networks of partners, clients, and individual consultants that DAI can tap to identify business opportunities and deliver outstanding results. The candidate must be familiar with a wide range of NRM and climate change/adaptation strategies, including their appropriateness in various types of low resource settings.

Project Support and Coordination   (15%)

Identify, capture and share information and lessons learned from past and present projects with proposal teams and other field projects. Update key tools and lessons learned on the DAI Technical Services/Environment portal. 

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Grade 10:  9 years relevant work experience and a Bachelor’s degree, or 7 years relevant work experience and a Master’s degree
• Grade 11:  11 years relevant work experience and a Bachelor’s degree, or 9 years relevant work experience and a Master’s degree, or 7 years relevant work experience and a PhD.
• At least 5 years of experience working in/with developing countries and preferably leading and managing programs that deliver technical expertise/support in natural resources management, climate vulnerability assessments, climate adaptation and/or mitigation strategies, and/or disaster risk reduction.
• Demonstrated experience conceptualizing and implementing strategic initiatives, including approaches for engaging disadvantaged populations in NRM and climate change activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and lead teams for winning new business and delivering excellent results to clients.
• Ability to take on both leadership and support roles in the development of plans, proposals and in carrying out work. 
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated experience writing strong technical proposals for USAID or other clients.
• Ability to travel an estimated 25% of the time for proposal reconnaissance and provision of technical support to projects.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in customizing GIS tools and other software for participatory planning and spatially integrated conservation and development.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French is strongly preferred.
• Possess strong technical experience across at least two of the following key technical areas: Natural Resources Management (NRM), Biodiversity Conservation, and Climate Change Adaptation

Supervisory Requirements:        None

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.