The Conservation Specialist provides technical leadership and support to the Ecuador`s business unit and plans and directs preserve management programs and stewardship.  The CS addresses critical threats to natural systems and individual species, fosters cross-site learning among conservation community, and supplies conservation planning teams with site or landscape level information relevant to the planning process.  The Conservation Specialist develops and implements conservation strategies principally in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, in the context of community-based conservation projects and water protection areas (WPA) and employs a full range of protection tools to acquire varying degrees of legal interest in land and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities.  The Conservation Specialist coordinates community support, ensures the maintenance of preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and coordinates multiple projects, sets deadlines, and manages completion. The CS supervises and ensures the appropriate implementation of conservation, restoration and sustainable production activities implemented in the field by project partners and contractors. The CS would facilitate scientific information generation and knowledge management regarding freshwater biodiversity and watershed management in the Amazon region.

Do you want to help save the planet? Through the efforts of The Nature Conservancy Ecuador, we work to preserve land for people and nature. From the mountains to the sea, BU Ecuador is dedicated to conserving the natural resources that make Ecuador unique.  We work to preserve the Andean Amazon ecosystems with a community approach in collaboration with local partners to generate conservation schemes. The Conservation Intern will work in the Amazon region, develop, and contribute to the implementation of community-led freshwater conservation activities, water protection area management plans, and coordinate with local governments and communities.
This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated and capable individual interested in joining the world’s leading conservation organization!

Responsibilities:

• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements
• Coordinates project activities, including managing budgets.
• Coordinates with public officials and community groups in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
• Develops and contributes to implementation of freshwater community- led conservation activities and water protection areas management
• plans and coordinates with local governments and communities.
•  Critical revision of products, and development of activities, work plans and management plans.
•  Develops terms of reference for new contracts.
• Accompaniment and technical assistance in the implementation of activities in the field.
• Coordinates scientific information generation and management about freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity.
• coordination with important actors in the basin to generate relationships and a platform for the management of water protection areas
• Promote alliances with local governments and non-government organizations to advance project objectives and leverage efforts.
• Supports the development of proposals to extend conservation strategies in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
• Works with civil society organizations to strengthen their institutional capacity and sustainability.
• Contributes to and systematizes information for project indicators that involves inputting necessary information to comply with project
• standards.
• Organize discussion forums and workshops with various stakeholders regarding conservation, indigenous territorial management and
• development projects.
• Work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.