Coastal and Ocean Ecosystem Scientist

OFFICE LOCATION

India

Preferred location – New Delhi / West Bengal (but open to any other location in India and this can change as per project requirements)

WHO WE ARE

Organizational Overview: A Pioneer in Conservation Leadership

This is an exciting time at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as we are shifting our strategy for greater impact in the world seeking to address some of the most complex challenges facing people and nature—issues such as climate change, conserving lands, waters, and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient and sustainable.

For more details, please visit to our website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/ 

Nature Conservancy India Solutions Private Limited (NCIS) is a private limited company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013, having it registered office in India at 37, Second Floor, Link Road, Lajpat Nagar – III, New Delhi – 110024, India. It is a wholly owned Indian subsidiary of The Nature Conservancy. The company currently provides technical consultancy, monitoring & evaluation and other relate services in the domain of conservation and environment to it various clients. The company under Indian laws can also provide fee-based service to clients (development organisations, Corporates and Govt. Agencies) within and outside India. The company has all the required registrations under the relevant laws to provide such fee-based services in India.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

TNC has an ambitious goal of conserving 4 billion hectares of oceans; support 45 million people whose well-being and livelihoods depend on healthy oceans, freshwater, and lands; help 100 million people at severe risk of climate-related emergencies by protecting and restoring the health of natural habitats—from mangroves and reefs to floodplains and forest; and sequester 3 giga tonnes of carbon by 2030. On the edges of the ocean, coastal wetlands—such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass meadows—protect our shores, too. They also draw in carbon as they grow and transfer it into their leaves, stems and the rich soils held by their roots. This “blue carbon” can remain in the soil for thousands of years. In fact, coastal wetlands store five times more carbon per hectare than rainforests, helping to limit further climate change.

In India, the three main coastal ecosystems cover an area of ~7075 km2 or 0.21% of the country’s geographical area. These ecosystems are home to highly threatened plants and animals such as the Bengal Tiger and Green Sea Turtle. It is estimated that mangroves alone support more than 80 species of flora and 1300 species of fauna, thus holding high biodiversity conservation value. Coastal ecosystems also play an important role in climate mitigation—it is estimated that these ecosystems store ~340-719 million tonnes of CO2eq. In addition, coastal ecosystems protect communities from tidal waves, floods, and storms. Most importantly, millions of people in India directly depend on the coastal ecosystems for their food security and livelihood because these areas serve as nurseries for many fish, crustaceans, and other marine species that are of commercial value. In fact, it is estimated that “almost 80% of global fish catches are directly or indirectly dependent on mangroves.”

Coastal and marine ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts. A recent study suggests that between 2000 to 2016, the Bay of Bengal and Andaman alone lost 4343 ha of mangrove forest annually due to agri/aquaculture, erosion, clearing, human settlements, and extreme climatic events. It is projected that the annual loss of mangroves due to these activities in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman may contribute to the emission of ~530.1 million tonnes of CO2e in the next 80 years. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), India is one of the 27 countries that will face the worst consequences of sea-level rise caused by thermal expansion of ocean water due to global warming, thus coastal ecosystems in India are at the forefront of climate change.

We must conserve and restore India’s coastal and marine ecosystems to combat climate change; safeguard communities from cyclones and storms, support livelihoods, and protect biodiversity.

The coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and restoration is an emerging strategy within the India Program, this strategy/program will be responsible for implementing science-based measures to restore and conserve coastal and marine ecosystems in India including exploring potential for blue carbon, aquaculture and livelihood, spatial conservation planning of coastal and marine area etc. 

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Coastal and Ocean Ecosystem (COE) scientist will support projects under coastal and marine ecosystem conservation strategy of NCIS, India-that includes mangrove restoration, blue carbon credits, spatial conservation planning of coastal and marine ecosystem etc. He/she will be responsible for coordinating implementation of the project activities by partners under the supervision and guidance of the COE manager and Science team, NCIS, India. It includes building meaningful and strong partnerships with project partners, with whom the project can work and make a strong impact. The COE scientist will also work with TNC global ocean and tackle climate change team, science, program, and finance team in NCIS, India.

Location: Preferred location New Delhi/Kolkata (subject to change as per project requirements)

Reporting to: Sr. Applied Scientist, NCIS

Tenure: Three years (with an option to renew based on performance and funding availability)

The COE scientist directs and develops monitoring and evaluation framework for projects under coastal and marine ecosystem strategy, evaluates and prepares data for spatial conservation planning, performs spatial and scientific analysis, prepares and publish scientific and technical reports including peer reviewed articles. Handhold and provide technical support to partners in development and implementation of habitat restoration projects and other project under coastal and marine ecosystem conservation strategy. Act as a scientific and technical focal person for coastal and marine ecosystem conservation area of work for TNC in India. Some key functions include:

Scientific and technical support: 

• Work with partners to develop restoration and conservation plans and oversees the implementation of restoration projects by partners and writing of scientific and technical assessments/reports resulting from project work.
• Provides professional scientific and technical guidance to partners in development and implementation of project activities.
• Lead the processes of building and maintaining scientific literature, spatial data, and tools library for coastal and marine ecosystem conservation work in India.
• Oversee and support in the collection of baseline data at the project sites for monitoring and evaluation.
• Facilitate research on biodiversity and livelihood aspects of coastal and marine ecosystems to support the conservation planning.
• Build and implement a shared vision across the coastal and marine ecosystem conservation team to integrate strong science and geo-spatial technology in all projects – planning, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation. This includes but not limited to activities like developing spatial conservation action planning, monitoring projects with digital technologies, developing and implementing decision support tools.
• Assist COE manager in development of funding proposals, project reports etc.

Project management:

• Monitor and report progress of implementation of project activities in the field by partners.
• Responsible for working with partners in implementation of field activities of ecological restoration of mangroves in target areas of the Project.
• Maintain regular coordination with relevant stakeholders of restoration and conservation projects in project areas.
• Assisting COE manager in organizing regular meetings with partners and TNC staffs (global and regional).
• Support partners in securing community response and ownership for conservation projects in target area.

External engagement and communication:

• Assist COE manager in relationship building and engagement with government departments, private sector, and partners in the areas of coastal and marine ecosystem conservation.
• Assist COE manager in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues (workshops, round tables) on emerging conservation issues in coastal and marine ecosystems and policy debates.

By joining our Coastal and Marine ecosystem conservation team in India, you will become part of a group of dedicated globally dispersed group who are leading ocean conservation efforts on multiple fronts and who bring science, strategy, and action together. We work closely with teams from across the organization and partners to deliver a representative, durable, effective, resilient, and inclusive 2030 vision for land, water and ocean conservation across the globe.

We’re looking for an outstanding, hands-on, highly motivated, innovative, solution oriented, results driven and resourceful individual with scientific and technical expertise in marine and coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration work. You would be part of a team of scientists, conservation, and program staff with dedicated efforts to impact conservation throughout the world.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Work across global boundaries and collaborate with the science and program community to enhance the conservation practices.
• Ensure that projects under coastal and marine ecosystem conservation strategy in India use cutting edge science to help address large-scale, complex conservation problems by leveraging internal and external capacity, and systematic and thorough processes.
• Build a geospatial data library, scientific literature database with necessary data and tools to guide coastal and marine ecosystem conservation work across India.
• Undertake spatial and statistical analysis for conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems across India.
• Work with COE manager to ensure that India’s coastal and marine ecosystem conservation strategy align with TNC global ocean conservation goals. Coordinate closely with global ocean and tackle climate change team to coordinate integration and coverage of India strategy in TNC global ocean conservation goals.
• Assist COE manger in coordinating fieldwork and logistical support for research, project development and monitoring.
• Work with partners to perform fieldwork including ecosystem assessment and field monitoring.
• Deliver tools, biodiversity data, field services and training to staff and partners.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Work independently and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
• Resolves large-scale, complex problems through systematic studies and analyses, including the creation or improvement of techniques and procedures.
• Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in environmental science/ecology/ocean and marine science/geospatial science/conservation and sustainability science and any related field with 1 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data.
• Experience preparing reports of findings.
• Experience in designing and maintaining spatial data for conservation planning.
• Working knowledge of advanced geospatial and statistical analysis and tools for conservation planning.
• Familiarity with established and emerging biodiversity conservation approaches, and methodologies and processes related to coastal and marine management and in particular in the context of the newly established Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Knowledge of national and international level NDC commitments in relation to coastal and marine ecosystems and national level policies related to coastal and marine ecosystems conservation.
• Experience synthesizing, interpreting and communicating scientific information.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.

Desired Qualifications:

• Sound expertise in marine and coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration, nature-based solutions, Ecosystem-based Adaptation or related fields with 2 to 4 years of work experience.
• Strong knowledge of ocean and marine ecosystems; ecology, natural history, threats, conservation issues etc.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages (R, Phython etc.) for conducting automated, complex, and high-level spatial analysis will be an advantage.
• Experience with project management and effective coordination across internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience disseminating research findings in relevant forms to internal and external audiences.
• Ability to think critically and “out of the box” with a problem-solving approach.
• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
• Excellent verbal and communication skills in English is essential, with ability to communicate in Hindi and other regional languages will be an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of computer technology and common software applications.
• Ability to network extensively in scientific communities and maintain strong relationships.
• Independently plan and organize work assignments in order to meet critical deadlines; ability to independently research issues as required.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 55072, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM IST on 22-May-2024. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process..

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.

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