International Conservation Project Officer

~ American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is the Western Hemisphere's bird conservation specialist - the only organization with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ~

Our commitment to bird conservation remains absolute, even while some other groups shift their mission to prioritize people over wildlife. We believe unequivocally that conserving birds and their habitats benefits all other species - including people. 

Position Overview 

ABC seeks to hire an International Project Officer to join our International Program working to prevent extinctions of the rarest birds in the Americas. This position will be based at ABC's Washington DC or Northern Virginia offices, and will involve international travel.

Responsibilities 

Primary Duties: 

• The International Project Officer will work with ABC's conservation partners abroad to protect habitat and reduce threats for the rarest birds of the Americas, as well as to help our partners build their capacity to fundraise and manage their institution and protected areas.
• Project activities often include creating new nature reserves and expanding existing nature reserves; planting trees, erecting nest boxes, and other habitat restoration techniques; developing ecotourism, shade coffee, payment for ecosystem service schemes, carbon sequestration and other financial mechanisms to support reserve and institutional management; community education, outreach and other activities to reduce threats and improve local livelihoods to incentivize conservation.
• The International Project Officer regularly communicates with our partners to advance project activities as well as traveling to supervise project partners and visit project sites - including some of the most spectacular and important nature reserves in the Americas. This International Project Officer will most likely focus their work on projects in the Andes of South America, in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and possibly elsewhere.
• In addition to working with other members of ABC's International Program and ABC's partners, the International Project Officer will also work closely with ABC's administration, development, and communications teams to track projects internally, fundraise, and share the results of our work with broader audiences. 

Qualifications 

Position Requirements: 

• Passion for ABC's mission to conserve birds and their habitats.
• At least three years of conservation experience in the Latin America and Caribbean region, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in conservation or environmental sciences, non-profit management, wildlife management, international relations, fundraising, or a related field.
• Previous professional experience working with resident or migratory Neotropical birds, particularly in the Andean region, preferred.
• An outgoing, positive, persuasive manner and predisposition for collaboration, with ability and comfort to work both independently and as part of teams, including with partner conservationists and government officials from different countries and cultures.
• This requires excellent writing and presentation skills, as well as fluency in English and Spanish.
• Additional languages, such as Portuguese, may also be useful.
• Well organized with keen attention to detail and results-oriented.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, the tenacity and creativity to solve difficult problems, and an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue new conservation opportunities.  

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email a single Word or .PDF document containing a brief letter of interest and your resume.
• Please save it using your last name as part of the document title - example "Lastname.Resume".