Principal Biodiversity Consultant

Our client is a growing and dynamic consulting firm working extensively in emerging markets, who are passionate about tackling the environmental and social challenges facing humanity today. Founded by a group of entrepreneurial and highly experienced international ESG advisors, they help their clients deliver impactful projects across areas including biodiversity, human rights and climate change. They do this through the provision of three key services: 1) ESG strategy, systems and capacity building; 2) ESG assessments, due diligence and monitoring 3) ESG communications and reporting.
They are looking to grow their delivery team with a Principal Biodiversity Consultant with relevant experience in addressing biodiversity risk, impact and opportunities in international contexts and projects . The biodiversity team has two key tracks of work:

• De-risking major development projects in line with international best practice (such as lender risk mitigation frameworks such as IFC Performance Standard 6). Designing and managing the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy to achieve no net loss and net gain outcomes, including design of biodiversity offsets.
  
• Supporting corporate partners on their journey to nature positive outcomes, aligning their business practices and supply chains with the range of upcoming voluntary and mandatory biodiversity reporting and disclosure standards.

Experience & skills required

• 10+ years' experience working on international biodiversity projects
• An undergraduate degree in ecological, biological, biophysical or social science required. Relevant post-graduate degree highly desired but not essential.
• Deep understanding of key global biodiversity challenges, targets and standards
• Technical background and project delivery in ecology, terrestrial and/or marine biodiversity, and/or ecosystem services
• A proven track record of effective (technical and commercial) project delivery (including a recognition of combining science-based rigour with real-world pragmatism in delivering results on the ground)
• Designed and delivered projects that have a core focus of establishing and delivering no net loss/net gain and/or nature positive outcomes (at site or portfolio level)
• Client facing, engaging on technical and project requirements to a range of stakeholders, including board and senior management level
• Carrying out or managing site-based biodiversity surveys and assessments for international projects (including but not limited to ecological surveys, critical habitat assessments, impact assessments)
• Working with and applying major biodiversity safeguards and standards, such as IFC Performance Standard 6 and the Equator Principles and/or working with and applying major biodiversity reporting standards (e.g. TNFD, CSRD, SBTN, etc)
• Stakeholder management for key project insights, inputs and ensuring report requirements are met
• Training and capacity building into project delivery
• Team player, working with consultants and associates, supporting and coaching junior consultants
• Managing project budgets and schedules in efficient and timely manner
• Representing the firm at meetings with clients, lenders and stakeholders, occasional workshops or events

About Us
Climate17 is a purpose-led, international Renewable Energy & Sustainability recruitment firm. We provide specialist talent acquisition services to organisations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, as well as those working towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector.
Inclusive Application Process
Climate17 is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We believe there is no solution to climate change without people. We aim to increase diversity across all areas and as such, we are committed to partnering with clients and candidates to create an inclusive and sustainable regenerative world.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability.
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