Senior Fellow - Land Resources & Forestry - Research & Development

Fellow / Senior Fellow - Land Resources & Forestry

About the Role:

Seeking an experienced professional to provide research leadership and strategic direction in the areas of Land Resources, Forestry, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Management and Sustainable Land Use.

- The role will focus on developing high-impact research and strategic programmes, identifying emerging opportunities, mobilising resources, building institutional partnerships and securing research, consultancy and funded assignments.

- The incumbent will also contribute to strengthening work in emerging areas such as carbon markets, nature-based solutions, natural capital, climate finance, ecosystem restoration and land-use carbon.

- The position will play a key role in strengthening research portfolio, thought leadership and institutional positioning through interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, knowledge products and collaboration with government, industry, international organisations and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

- Provide strategic and intellectual leadership in developing and advancing work on land resources, forestry, biodiversity, ecosystem management and sustainable land use.

- Conceptualise, develop and lead interdisciplinary research and development programmes that address emerging environmental, climate and natural resource challenges.

- Drive the translation of research into practical solutions, policy interventions, knowledge products and scalable programmes.

- Play a leading role in identifying and developing new opportunities for research, consultancy and strategic programmes across Land Resources & Forestry portfolio.

- Build a strong pipeline of opportunities and drive their development from initial engagement and concept development through proposal submission and project acquisition.

- Lead and contribute to the preparation of high-quality technical and commercial proposals, concept notes and funding applications.

- Support sustained portfolio growth through resource mobilisation, strategic client engagement and development of long-term programmes.

- Develop and strengthen work in emerging areas related to carbon markets, nature-based solutions, natural capital and climate finance.

- Identify opportunities related to forestry and land-use carbon, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

- Track emerging scientific, policy, regulatory and market developments and translate these into research and programme opportunities.

- Build and strengthen strategic relationships with government agencies, industry, international organisations, donors, development partners, academic institutions and research organisations.

- Lead discussions with clients, partners and stakeholders to develop collaborative programmes and long-term institutional engagements.

- Represent at relevant scientific, policy, industry and stakeholder platforms.

- Strengthen visibility and thought leadership through high-quality research, publications, knowledge products and policy engagement.

- Mentor and guide research teams and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.

- Contribute to the strategic growth, institutional positioning and long-term priorities of the Division.

Education & Experience:

- Master's/Ph.D. in Forestry, Land Resources, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biodiversity or related fields.

- 18+ years of relevant experience, with significant exposure to business development, consulting, research funding or institutional partnerships.

- Proven track record of securing projects, grants, consulting assignments or strategic partnerships.

- Strong experience in proposal development, client engagement, negotiations and stakeholder management.

- Domain experience in forestry, land resources, biodiversity, ecosystem management, climate change or sustainability is highly desirable.

- Strong knowledge of Carbon Market.