Ridge to Reef Program Director

~ Osa Conservation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the globally significant biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. ~

What makes the Osa Peninsula so special?

This remote corner of Costa Rica harbors 2.5% of the biodiversity of the entire planet in less than a thousandth of a percent of its total surface area.

Position Overview

• Osa Conservation is currently seeking a Ridge to Reef Program Director. 

Responsibilities

• Report and coordinate their actions directly with the OC Executive Director.
• Develop the funding for the program through grant writing and work with high end donors.
• Represent OC conservation and science policy and programs at high level scientific-conservation meetings, with government and private sector institutions.
• Supervise the work of the Project Coordinators of the conservation-field station and community focal areas.
• Act as a senior management staff member and coordinate with other OC senior staff.
• Build partnerships with research institutions and other conservation entities.

Specific Duties:

• Prepare, execute, and monitor the Reef to Ridge plan, both for OC and the broader coalition of stakeholders.
• Develop the processes and policies that allow improving the implementation of conservation activities in the field station, private reserve, and broader corridor.
• Review any proposed research at OC field sites – principally terrestrial and support to Marine Conservation Director on marine areas.
• Design and conduct the organization's conservation-research grant program (along with Marine Cons. Prog. Director) and, in coordination with the Science Coordinators, provide technical support to the grantees.
• Disseminate the organization's findings nationally and internationally, generating connections with researchers and teachers from national and foreign universities to attract research in the field station.
• Ensure the collection, maintenance and use of the databases of stations.
• Seek and prepare proposals for the financing of terrestrial based field and conservation projects in the corridor and station.
• Organize training courses where necessary for team members and potential students.
• Build a strong social media presence by actively promoting the conservation programs, organization overall and field sites on social media and ensure that all associated staff do likewise.
• Other tasks and duties ongoing and as assigned.

Qualifications

• High-energy charismatic personality with a strong work ethic.
• PhD in conservation or an MBA in a conservation-environmental related focus considered.
• Minimum experience of 5 years in conservation related field work and implementation, preferably in Central America.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple actors, for teamwork and the development of activities in culturally diverse environments.
• Good physical condition for work in adverse conditions in the field.
• Valid drivers’ license (manual vehicles).
• Willingness to live in remote region of southern Costa Rica.
• Availability to travel at least 50% of the time, and a strong desire to be in the field.
• Knowledge of building a large-scale project plan that has all key elements to be attractive to investors-donors.
• At least 3 publications in peer-reviewed and indexed scientific journals.
• Willingness to learn fundraising focused on high net worth individuals and major foundations.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your resume and a cover letter with “Ridge to Reef Program Director” as the subject line by July 31, 2020.
• Applications that do not follow these criteria will not be considered.