GESI & Safeguards Manager, Ecosystem Restoration

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Brazil, Belgium, Colombia, Madagascar, Mexico, or South Africa

As a core component of its strategy, Conservation International has set ambitious targets for scaling restoration globally in an inclusive approach that supports women, IP&LCs, youth, and vulnerable groups. The Gender & Safeguards Manager, Ecosystem Restoration, primarily supports the global component (through the Global Coordination Unit, or GCU) of an innovative Ecosystem Restoration Program to support the mainstreaming of gender, social inclusion, and environmental and social safeguards. This position will be a key part of the Global Coordination Project of the GEF-8 Ecosystem Restoration Integrated program, an innovative initiative to support and scale ecosystem restoration in 20 countries. The position will manage, facilitate, and coordinate all gender & safeguards-related activities within the Ecosystem Restoration Program's Global Coordination Project (GCP). This work will position CI as a thought leader and partner of choice in nuanced, data-driven, tailored, cost-effective restoration and contribute key knowledge to the global ecosystem restoration community derived from CI’s restoration portfolio.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Restoration Partnerships Director, the Manager will work on:

Program Management and Strategic Guidance

• Lead the implementation of gender and social inclusion (GESI) and environmental & social safeguard plans within the GCP, including:
• Stakeholder Engagement Plan
• Gender Mainstreaming Plan
• Accountability & Grievance Mechanism
• Provide technical expertise to support gender-responsive program interventions (e.g., through enabling conditions for restoration, including policy and restoration action plans, restoration capacity building, and facilitated knowledge exchange).
• Operate and manage the program’s grievance mechanism, ensuring a coordinated and transparent response to concerns.
• Contribute GESI/safeguards inputs to annual reports, website, knowledge products, and other communications materials.
  
  

Technical Support, Capacity Building, and Networking

• Provide GESI & safeguard input into GCP capacity-building programs and tools, including those focused on restoration finance, ecosystem restoration, and restoration planning.
• Design and deliver in-person and virtual training sessions tailored to diverse stakeholders (e.g., project partners and collaborators, government representatives, international audiences working on restoration).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with GESI/safeguard leads across child projects, partner organizations, and the broader restoration community.
• Support the implementation of GESI/safeguard approaches across country-level (child) projects, including integration into project M&E frameworks.
  
  

Knowledge Sharing and Coordination

• Play a central role in convening and coordinating gender and social inclusion specialists across the program (i.e., across child projects) to share tools, practices, and emerging evidence.
• Facilitate learning exchanges and a GESI working group across GCP and child projects, focusing on lessons learned, good practices, and adaptive management of GESI/safeguards.
• Promote and facilitate dialogue with stakeholders to identify support needs, knowledge gaps, and opportunities to support ambitious approaches to advance gender equality and social inclusion.
• Lead the development of innovative and tailored knowledge products (e.g., blogs, webinars, guidance documents) with input and support from child projects.
• Represent the GCP in relevant external networks, focusing on GESI & restoration, advancing CI’s role in global GESI and safeguards communities of practice.
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Extended work hours may be required, including non-traditional work hours as needed in a global organization.
• Some international travel up to 30% time may be required.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
• For candidates in the EU: Candidates should be EU nationals or have a valid work permit for Europe.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, international development, social sciences, or related field.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in project/program design, compliance, and monitoring in conservation or development contexts.
• Proven experience with gender-responsive programming, including mainstreaming gender into environmental plans, project activities, technological tools, policies, and training curricula.
• At least 3 years of experience with environmental and social safeguards, including stakeholder engagement, grievance mechanisms, and gender mainstreaming.
• Experience in mainstreaming gender and promoting social inclusion in development programming.
• Strong understanding of social risks in restoration, including issues related to vulnerable groups, Indigenous peoples, benefit-sharing, and human rights.
• Experience designing and delivering trainings and knowledge products for diverse audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including cross-cultural collaboration and engagement with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and participatory approaches.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, meeting deadlines.
  
  

Preferred

• Fluency in French or Portuguese.
• Experience working in global programs or projects, particularly in multi-country and multi-cultural settings.
• Experience in building and maintaining networks/communities of practice.
• Experience with GEF projects and ESS policies and requirements.
• Familiarity with the principles of FPIC.
• Experience delivering environment and social safeguards training.
• Experience delivering training on gender.
  
  

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.