Principal Biodiversity Specialist

Salary: Up to £65,000 DOE

We are on the lookout for a Principal Biodiversity Specialist, an expert in the field, to guide renewable energy companies, finance institutions, and governments, particularly in emerging markets like South America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Your role will be vital in shaping the future of biodiversity sustainability within the renewable energy sector.

In this position, you will leverage your strong project management skills and technical expertise in renewable energy impacts to support the development and implementation of biodiversity-positive strategies. Your work will involve building strategic partnerships, developing new client relationships, managing and delivering complex projects, and contributing to our broader mission. You'll focus on creating positive environmental changes and work on a range of initiatives, including conducting biodiversity risk screenings and implementing biodiversity action plans and offsets.

Responsibilities

Strategy and business development

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• Building strategic partnerships within the renewable energy sector, in particular wind, to build co-ordinated positive actions for nature between developers, finance institutions, governments, and other stakeholders.
  
• Identifying potential new clients, and developing and maintaining existing and new client relationships, including using your network.
  

Project delivery

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• Bid preparation: consisting of developing technical scopes of work and associated budgets, including identifying team members and external support (as necessary), liaising across TBC with technical consultants and the business support team, liaising with the client to understand and refine the scope of work, planning/scheduling tasks, and completing associated internal administrative processes.
  
• Project Management: consisting of technical design and critical review of complex renewable energy projects with respect to (but not limited to) biodiversity issues and considerations, liaising with and managing internal teams and external consultants (as relevant), monitoring technical progress and budget, acting as client point of contact, and generally ensuring timely delivery of on-budget projects to the requisite level of quality.
  
• Technical project-level and client portfolio-level work across biodiversity and ecosystem services management, including elements such as:
  
• Carrying out biodiversity risk screening and interpretation.
  
• Designing and supporting implementation of baseline surveys,
  
• Advising on appropriate biodiversity metrics for both project-level and portfolio (corporate) level use.
  
• Ecosystem services reviews.
  
• Advising on key potential impacts on biodiversity associated with renewable energy projects and advising on/supporting impact assessment.
  
• Reviewing and advising on implementation of the mitigation hierarchy, including biodiversity offsets.
  
• Reviewing and advising on biodiversity monitoring approaches and actions to achieve net positive impact.
  
• Inputting into biodiversity sensitivity mapping projects in emerging markets.
  

Innovation and communication

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• Developing approaches, metrics, and tools for assessing biodiversity losses and gains of complex, large-scale projects in areas of sensitive biodiversity in emerging economies.
  
• Developing guidance, tools, and frameworks, generally in collaboration with leading industry, NGO, and/or financial sector partners, for best practice approaches for biodiversity and renewable energy sector.
  
• Attending industry-focussed events and webinars on behalf of The Biodiversity Consultancy, including writing and delivering presentations
  
• Writing and reviewing material for scientific and business press, our website and publications
  

Who We're Looking For:

We're seeking a professional with a strong background in biodiversity, ecosystem services, and natural resource management, especially in emerging economies. You should bring substantial experience in the field, solid technical data analysis skills, and a history of effective project management. Excellent communication skills are crucial, as you will be presenting complex concepts to a wide array of stakeholders. A passion for creating positive environmental change and willingness to travel globally is essential.

Essential attributes

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• At least 5 years’ relevant experience.
  
• Background in biodiversity, ecosystem services, natural resource, and livelihood issues, especially in emerging economies.
  
• Experience in applying lender standards, especially International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6, production of Biodiversity Action Plans, biodiversity offsets and monitoring plans.
  
• Experience of managing and delivering multiple complex projects, as well as project sponsorship/oversight
  
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
  
• Willingness and enthusiasm to travel globally and work in challenging environments.
  
• A good Honours and Master’s degree or other postgraduate qualification in relevant disciplines or equivalent experience.
  
• Consultancy experience is desirable.
  
• Familiarity with GIS software and approaches, including the ability to design and evaluate, and potentially conduct, spatial analyses in collaboration with our GIS team.
  
• Ability to work in French would be desirable.
  

Join Our Team:

This is an opportunity to make a significant impact in the renewable energy sector, contributing to projects that influence biodiversity conservation and sustainability on a global scale.