Head of Climate Change Field Centers

Earthwatch is an international environmental organization that involves people to help make global issues relevant and understandable, and to effect change in communities, schools and workplaces. Our research program focuses on Climate Change; the sustainable management of resources; oceans; and communities in order to better understand critical environmental issues and inform and influence local agendas. 

We are about to embark on an exciting new program with a corporate partner and several international NGO's furthering our strong experience of corporate and NGO partnerships. This global 5 year program aims to reduce the impacts of Climate Change on people and their livelihoods, by promoting action in some of the world's major cities, river basins and ecosystems. 

Under a five year funded program, the Earthwatch Institute will be setting up field centers in the following five countries: UK, USA, Brazil, India and China. These field centers will provide the base for the research element of the overall program which aims to engage employees and communities in understanding and acting on Climate Change. 

In addition to joining field research projects, employees will have the opportunity to learn via an online virtual learning program, volunteer locally on Climate Change related community projects and, once returned from their field research experience, work as a 'champion' within the bank supporting environmental activity across the organization. 

Up to 8 field research projects will be established across these field centers delivering scientific and educational outcomes to the Research Program. The research projects developed will recognize that, worldwide, the knowledge gap to manage environmental change caused by climate demands better monitoring and evaluation for adaptive management. The principle purposes of these projects will be:

• delivering data, information and knowledge to assist in finding solutions to globally identified Climate Change issues
• providing a learning environment for the employees and stakeholders who will assist in the projects; and
• providing a context, through the research and the information generated, for a number of field based seminars. 

The Head of Climate Change Field Centers will oversee the operation of Earthwatch's programs at the 5 Climate Change Field Centers, located in the UK, Brazil, US, India and China. Under the direction of the Director of Field Management, the Head of Climate Change Field Centers will be responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring, assessment and reporting of each Field Center business plan.

The Head of Climate Change Field Centers will be responsible for ensuring that Earthwatch standards for health, safety & volunteer management in the field are met at the Field Centers. The Head of Climate Change Field Centers will supervise the Field Center Directors, and will collaborate closely with Global Climate Change team. The Head of Climate Change Field Centers will have a matrix reporting relationship to the Head of the Global Climate Change program to ensure the overall programmatic deliverables are being met. 

The Head of Climate Change Field Centers will be located in the USA at the Maynard, Massachusetts office of Earthwatch Institute. 

Principal responsibilities include:

Ø Oversight and implementation of specific Field Center business plans
Ø Ensuring Earthwatch Field Management standards met at all Climate Change Field Centers
Ø Line Management of Field Center Directors
Ø Fiscal and administrative reporting duties
Ø Central point of communication to Earthwatch offices for the Field Centers 

Specific responsibilities to include: 

1. Business Administration 

Ø Develop, monitor and report out on specific Field Center business plans in line with agreed program Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) for IIN2, in collaboration with Field Center staff and Climate Change Program staff
Ø Implementation of business plan with Field Center staff and Earthwatch FM and Climate Change Program staff
Ø Responsible for fiscal oversight and administrative reporting duties at Field Center in line with required budgetary reporting needs from the funder
Ø Coordinate inventory needs, and research project development at Field Centers
Ø Ensure best practice processes and activities are shared between field centers and regions
Ø Ensure required ICT needs are addressed at field centers, in line with agreed budget
Ø Support the Earthwatch offices with any visits to the Field Center region by staff, board, media or other interests as they may arise.
Ø Manage measurement and minimization of the carbon footprint of all field centers 

2. Research and Learning program implementation 

Ø Help field staff manage Field Center research and education projects to ensure effective program delivery, adherence to timelines and meeting of goals.
Ø Work with Head of Climate Change Research to ensure field centre business plans are addressing required Climate Change research strategy and impacts
Ø Ensure that research project and team development meets the Climate Change Program and other departmental timelines
Ø Ensure research projects, field seminars and overall field experience achieve field-based learning objectives for IIN2
Ø Monitor and evaluate Engagement activities to ensure an excellent quality of experience for all participants in coordination with Field Center staff and Head of Global Climate Change Program and Regional Program Managers 

3. Communications 

Ø Act as the central point of communication in Earthwatch for the field management aspects of Climate Change Field Centers
Ø Work with the Director of Communications in EWE and the field directors to ensure the field centre business plans are addressing the agreed global and regional communications strategies
Ø Development of relevant educational information (presentations, write ups, content) to help build awareness among volunteers and community fellows about the Field Center, and its principal goals 

4. Line Management 

Ø Line management of 5 field directors, incorporating development and training needs Ø Provide supplemental support to the staff in charge of the following projects
Ø Ensuring the completion of IIN2 grant deliverables at the Field Center in coordination with Field Center staff , Head of Global Climate Change Program, and Regional Program Managers
Ø Development of sustainable business model for field centers in terms of ongoing funding and the development of research and engagement projects to endure beyond 5 year program, in liaison with field staff and program staff
Ø Management of Field Center infrastructure (offices, research stations, vehicles, boats, research equipment, etc.) required to support Field Center staff and volunteers and/or fellows.
Ø Logistical arrangements for rental of research stations, maintenance of vehicles and field expeditions
Ø Management of Field Center staff, including administrative responsibilities
Ø Development of the strategy for communicating about Field Centers - generically and individually 

5. Health, Safety and Volunteer Management 

Ø Implement, monitor and assess field management standards for field operations at Field Centers, ensuring all field centers are 'fit for purpose'
Ø Train Field Center staff in Earthwatch health & safety standards and ensure appropriate first aid training
Ø Train Field Center staff in Earthwatch standards for volunteer management in the field
Ø Operate as member of Earthwatch Crisis Management Team and actively support Field Directors and program staff in management of incidents at Field Centers 

Qualifications: 

Ø Strong familiarity with global and regional conservation issues, and Earthwatch's role in them
Ø Master's degree or equivalent experience
Ø Significant management experience with budgets, teams of people, major projects and line management of staff
Ø Demonstrated leadership skills, ideally within an international context
Ø Proven field management experience, including risk assessment and management Ø Field Research experience, especially in planning and leading research expeditions Ø Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Ø Commitment to teamwork and integrated management structure
Ø Ability to work independently
Ø Ability to travel internationally, approximately 50% time 

Salary range: $50,000 - $55,000. Good benefits. 

Please indicate job title in subject line of email. Email, fax or mail cover letter and resume. Due to limited time and financial resources we are only able to accept applicants who are already eligible to work in the United States. No phone calls please.

HR, Earthwatch Institute,
P.O. Box 75,
Maynard, MA 01754-0075