Title: Senior AFOLU Technical Lead, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) Team: Environment & Energy Group (E2) Reports to: Director, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) Location: Arlington, VA or remote Winrock International is recruiting a Senior Technical Lead in the Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) within the Environment & Energy Group (E2). Winrock is a non-profit organization that works around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock’s E2 Group is comprised of three complimentary units: Ecosystem Services, Clean Energy, and Forestry and Natural Resource Management. The E2 Group collaborates closely with other Winrock groups, including Agriculture, Resilience and Water; Human Rights, Education & Empowerment; and Corporate Affairs, to identify and implement cutting-edge solutions to climate change. A dynamic member of the team, the Senior Technical Lead will contribute to an environment that is collaborative, conducive to growth, respect, equity, and thought leadership. Ecosystem Services Unit ECO forms the cornerstone of Winrock’s scientific leadership and has been at the cutting edge of the evaluation of ecosystem services from forests and agriculture for twenty-five years. ECO excels at the translation and application of science to benefit countries, businesses, organizations, and people. Winrock employs state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies to generate and distil information for resource managers, land use planners, communities, and industries for use in low emission and climate resiliency development and spatial planning, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission estimation, and habitat mapping and restoration. Winrock is a leading innovator in applied climate and landscape sciences due to the pragmatic and scientifically robust approaches we apply. ECO’s portfolio is focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, REDD+, Low Emissions Development, environmental services, and related topics. ECO has long served as a global leader in ecosystem evaluation, carbon accounting, climate change mitigation and adaptation, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+), watershed management, and other forms of environmental services accounting. The Senior Technical Lead supports the Unit Director and works with other staff in ECO to implement technical projects, provide quality control and evaluation, support Unit management, and augment new business and thought leadership. ECO’s focus areas include developing: GHG measurement and monitoring approaches under voluntary and compliance markets; for companies, governments, and NGOs around the world. Agriculture, Forestry, and other Land Use (AFOLU) and REDD+ measurement and monitoring protocols Capacity building toolkits and training programs for a wide variety of stakeholders, from local farmers to national and multilateral agencies Interactive tools for sustainability assessment and measurement and monitoring of GHG emissions and ecosystem services in the land use and forestry sectors Scientifically robust geospatial and remote sensing solutions Decision-support tools Approaches to support net-zero commitments Essential Duties Technical Leadership: Develop innovative approaches and analyses relevant to ECO’s work, provide training and recommend approaches that enhance Winrock’s reputation, network with stakeholders and supervise staff. Project Management and Implementation: Manage and iImplement international projects focused on management and monitoring of forest landscape and other ecosystems, including impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and removal, projects, produce high quality deliverables/products Management: Provide high-level management of staff, consultants, subcontractors, and budgets for projects and select portfolio, liaise with donors (including but not limited to USAID, Department of State, World Bank, and other multi-laterals), mentor staff, and maintain client relationships, .provide guidance and mentorship to up to three staff members and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement New Business Development: Contribute to the growth and diversification of ECO’s portfolio, recommend opportunities, lead proposals, build and maintain relationships with donors, promote best practices and foster knowledge sharing within ECO and the organization. Thought Leadership: Increase ECO’s technical visibility among stakeholders, practitioners, and donors by leading thought leadership activities such as op-eds, technical panels, and technical forums to identify and engage promising partners for collaboration and innovation. Management: Provide guidance and mentorship to up to three staff members and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Qualifications and Background: Education: Master’s Degree in environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, ecology, climate change, or other related field required; terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) strongly preferred. Required Experience: Experience in GHG accounting for the land use sector, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and ecosystem services. Minimum of 7+ years’ relevant experience required; additional years of experience strongly preferred. Excellent leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, interpersonal skills. Experience in the development of AFOLU/REDD+ projects and/or programs in the voluntary and/or compliance carbon market. Comprehensive understanding of the development and implementation of REDD+ standards, projects, and programs is critical. Overseas experience with technical and/or operational issues related to GHG accounting and land use, or related issues strongly preferred. Experience working in developing countries is required. Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with clients and partners, including government ministries and officials at national and local levels, non-profit organizations, the private sector, foundations, multilateral organizations, and the U.S. Government. Willingness to travel to developing countries as required by portfolio/new business opportunities. Track record developing winning proposals. Desired qualifications Demonstrated experience in research and public communication on technical issues, including peer-reviewed publications, blogs, op-eds. Experience managing technical projects with a diverse team of individuals and consultants. Experience developing and managing budgets. Fluency in English and excellent communication skills (written and verbal) required; fluency in a language in addition to English, especially Spanish or French, is strongly preferred. As a condition of employment at Winrock, all US-based Winrock staff, regardless of location must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Winrock offers competitive pay and an excellent benefits package. Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation. Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization