Technical Lead, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO)

Technical Lead 

Position Title: Technical Lead, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO)

Location: VA Office, US Hybrid or US Remote Department: Environment & Energy Group (E2) Unit: Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO)

Position Description

BACKGROUND

Winrock International is recruiting a Technical Lead in the Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) within the Environment & Energy Group (E2). Winrock is a non-profit organization that works around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock’s E2 Group is comprised of three complimentary units: Ecosystem Services, Clean Energy, and Forestry and Natural Resource Management. An active participant within the team, the Technical Lead will play a key role in fostering a collaborative environment that promotes growth, respect, equity, and thought leadership.

Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO)

ECO forms the cornerstone of Winrock’s scientific leadership and has been at the cutting edge of the evaluation of ecosystem services from forests and agriculture for 25 years. ECO excels at the translation and application of science to benefit countries, businesses, organizations, and people. Winrock employs state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies to generate and distil information for resource managers, land use planners, communities, and industries for use in low emission and climate resiliency development and spatial planning, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission estimation, habitat mapping and restoration. Winrock is a leading innovator in applied climate and landscape sciences, distinguished by our pragmatic and scientifically robust methodologies.

ECO’s portfolio is focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation), Low Emissions Development, environmental services, and related topics. ECO has long served as a global leader in ecosystem evaluation, carbon accounting, climate change mitigation and adaptation, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. watershed management, and other forms of environmental services accounting. The Technical Lead will work closely with ECO's REDD+ Senior Technical Lead providing support for REDD+ projects within the unit, developing and implementing technical projects, providing quality control and preparing technical reports.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Technical Lead interacts with clients, conducts qualitative technical analyses, performs quantitative problem-solving, and collects and analyze quantitative data for REDD+ and other types of nature based solutions projects.

This position may be based remotely within the United States but is expected to work East Coast hours (EST).

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership:

• 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. 

Project Management and Implementation:

• 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.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, ecology, climate change, or other related fields. Terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) is strongly preferred.

Required experience

Technical Skills:

• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in GHG accounting for the land use sector, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and ecosystem Additional years of experience preferred.
• 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. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of Google Earth Engine (JavaScript and/or Python) is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of statistics and modeling (including machine learning).
• Proficiency in R/Python is strongly preferred.
• 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. 
• Understanding of the development and implementation of REDD+ standards, projects, and programs is strongly preferred
• Experience working in developing countries is strongly preferred

Communication Skills:

• 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.
• Fluency in Portuguese and/or Spanish is required. 

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

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Winrock offers competitive pay and an excellent benefits package.

Winrock does not discriminate in its recruitment practices and provides opportunity for all people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability 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.