Global Director of Indigenous Sciences at Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy acknowledges and honors Indigenous* knowledge systems as a dynamic, collectively-built body of understandings, practices, and beliefs. This knowledge is passed down across generations via cultural ceremonies, traditions, and storytelling. Indigenous knowledge systems provide invaluable history, approaches and wisdom into the relationships between all living beings. This link has been missing in modern conservation, and we are ready to learn and apply Indigenous knowledge systems in our science and programmatic work.
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The Global Director of Indigenous Sciences is an exciting new position that will elevate diverse expertise and knowledge–aligned with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples–in TNC’s work. We invite Indigenous scholars and scientists with a diverse range of understandings of Indigeneity in conservation to apply for this critical leadership role, which will braid the strengths of Indigenous sciences and Western science to envision a new path for conservation.
The Global Director of Indigenous Sciences will sit on TNC’s Global Science Team, which partners with regions and global teams to generate critical science, provide technical expertise, and build capacity in support of achieving TNC’s 2030 goals. This position will work collaboratively with Global Science’s inter-disciplinary science teams, including Human Dimensions, Climate Science, Economics & Governance, and Spatial Conservation Science, along with other TNC strategy teams, including the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) team. The Global Director of Indigenous Sciences will play a critical role in developing, leading, and promoting actionable research in Indigenous sciences that is grounded in Indigenous frameworks (e.g. two-eyed seeing, braided rivers, two row Wampum) constantly learning from and adopting practices from new Indigenous partners and local knowledge systems and methodologies. The Global Director of Indigenous Sciences will work from a ‘boundary spanner’ perspective, advising the organization on Indigenous Sciences issues from Indigenous and Western scientific perspectives. This will involve identifying and exploring collaboration opportunities, and determining ways to elevate the inclusion of Indigenous sciences, experts, and stewards. The goal is to support current organizational initiatives and create new pathways that address the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity decline, food systems, and human health and well-being through collaborative stewardship.
This role provides an opportunity to establish and lead a community of practice in Indigenous Sciences, creating a hub for exchanging learnings, mentorship, and culture change for the advancement of Indigenous knowledge in conservation. The Global Director of Indigenous Science integrates Indigenous methodologies in research, ensuring that projects are conducted in a manner that is respectful and reflective of Indigenous values and frameworks.
Critical to this role is bridging across conservation teams and strategies and developing strong relationships with Indigenous and local communities, academic institutions, and other relevant organizations, ensuring that partnerships and collaborations are based on respect, mutual benefit, and the principles of free, prior, and informed consent.
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*“Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing on those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal system.”
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU
The ideal candidate for the
Global Director of Indigenous Sciences position is a voice into pressing
environmental and conservation challenges. This role requires effective
collaboration with staff, partners, donors, and other stakeholders to
uplift Indigenous expertise within a decentralized and matrixed
organization. Ideal candidates will have strong research, collaborative
science, and co-design skills, along with experience leading
interdisciplinary teams and translating research into on-the-ground
application and policy-relevant insights. Additionally, the role demands
the capacity to distil complex needs into actionable projects, the
ability to inspire and engage staff and key audiences, and a commitment
to advancing evidence-based strategies. If you share a passion for our
mission and bringing Indigenous knowledge to the forefront of
environmental solutions, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a team
dedicated to creating a lasting impact.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Experience that utilizes deep knowledge in connection to Indigenous and local knowledge systems, cultural practices, and ways of knowing.
- PhD in disciplines such as Indigenous studies, ecology, sustainability, human geography, sociology, anthropology, or other inter-disciplinary sciences, with an emphasis on Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities, plus 8 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience conducting original research and communicating in appropriate scholarly venues, e.g., peer-reviewed journals, books, essays, performances, etc.
- Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
- Experience working with Indigenous peoples and local communities, including multi-language skills and cross-cultural understanding.
- Proven ability to engage and collaborate with Indigenous communities, respecting their cultural practices, traditions, and values.
- Experience co-creating ethical space for cross-cultural, equitable, and inclusive collaboration.
- Experience designing, organizing, and directing projects that are built on Indigenous and Western science frameworks.
- Experience in application of international agreements and resolutions (e.g. UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People) on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in a science context.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, coaching, leading, setting objectives, and managing performance.
WHAT WE BRING
Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!
The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION
Our Values
• Integrity Beyond Reproach
• Respect for People, Communities and Cultures
• Commitment to Diversity
• One Conservancy
• Tangible, Lasting Results
SALARY INFORMATION
This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position in a full-time capacity is generally within the range of $96,400-171,955 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate’s qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
APPLY NOW
Please apply to Job #55435 at www.nature.org/careers. Submit required cover letter and resume separately using the upload buttons. Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.
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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 cultures. 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 orientations, gender identities, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
TNC is committed to offering
accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled
veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or
accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with a Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
