Vice President, Global Development - Rare - Virginia, United States

Vice President, Global Development
Location: Arlington, VA
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Senior Vice President, Strategy & Growth
Updated: July 2012
Travel (Domestic & International): At least 50% on annual average

About the Organization
Rare is a $17 million, fast-growing, international conservation organization that runs state-of-the-art communication and outreach projects that empower local communities to solve their own conservation challenges. For twenty-five years, Rare has achieved major wins in conservation and sustainable resource management by building community support through sophisticated social marketing techniques. By creating a stronger emotional and cultural connection between people and their environment, Rare’s staff and network of global conservation partners have dramatically reduced human-related threats to critical ecosystems worldwide, from the Caribbean to Latin America and from Africa to Asia.
Rare has earned a strong reputation for excellence in the field of conservation and is currently at an exciting time in its development: having tripled in size and budget over the past five years, and having proven its model successful at more than 200 sites, Rare is well situated to scale its programs and impact exponentially in the years to come.
For more information, please visit www.rareconservation.org and www.rareplanet.org.
Vice President, Global Development
Rare is looking for an exceptional individual to serve as Vice President, Global Development. This senior position will advance global conservation efforts by developing and leading the execution of Rare’s government relations and public funding strategy. Specifically, this means helping Rare and its government partners identify promising conservation solutions and build the policy and financial support necessary to replicate them. Through strategic communications and expert relationship management, the Vice President will secure major, multi-year commitments from multilaterals, bilaterals, and governments. This leader will be an adept spokesperson and compelling leader well-versed at navigating the highest levels of government institutions. As the head of the Department of Global Development, the Vice President will also be responsible for building a growing team of public funding and other development experts. This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial and highly committed conservationist with a track record of building political and financial support for transformative social or environmental solutions. This position will report to the Senior Vice President, Strategy and Growth.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Vice President, Global Development will perform the following and other duties as assigned:
• Develop and implement Rare’s public funding strategy. Working closely with current public funding leaders at Rare, build the internal and external case for investment in Rare’s innovative conservation programs.
• Establish Rare as a credible player among relevant federal, bilateral, and multilateral donor agencies by articulating Rare’s value proposition.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and campaign partners, including representatives from regional development organizations.
• Identify and develop multi-million dollar funding opportunities; enable Rare staff and partners to successfully execute on these projects and proposals.
• Serve as an articulate, enthusiastic, and visible spokesperson to national and international decision-makers.
• Manage and provide leadership to the Director of Global Development and Director of Foundations, partnering with to implement program and operational strategies, including hiring.
• Ensure the quality of proposals and grant reporting.
• Establish metrics for evaluating success and make adjustments to the public funding strategy as appropriate.
• Support the SVP, Growth and Strategy in deploying a new, five-year development campaign for the organization.
• Build the capacity of Rare’s US and field-based staff to advance government relations and leverage public funding to support Rare and its partners.
• Serve as a member of Rare’s leadership team, and, in this capacity, advise the CEO and the Board of Directors on strategy and institutional development.
Professional Qualifications
The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Proven leader and motivator of senior managers and staff
• 10+ years of experience leading successful, large-scale public funding and multilateral funding campaigns (ideally in the international conservation sector)
• Ability to develop and implement a vision for engaging public and multilateral institutions to advance global change
• Demonstrated success in identifying, managing, and closing complex, multi-year, technical proposals for bilateral and multilateral agencies
• Significant experience managing effective, on-going partnerships with top-level government and agency representatives
• Past experience representing an organization externally at global conferences and meetings
• Strong government funder and multilateral network in the US and internationally
• Demonstrated leadership and management capacity, both as a division leader and as a member of a cross-functional team of executive leaders
• Demonstrated capability to work effectively within a geographically dispersed organization and across internal departments
• Past experience conveying a complex mission and campaign strategy to diverse groups including Board members, bilateral and multilateral agencies, potential funders, and partner agencies
• Demonstrated understanding of conservation and development issues as well as Rare’s approach to conservation challenges
• Fluent in English. Ideally, proficient in one or more of the following languages: Chinese, Spanish, Bahasa Indonesian, or French
• Proven success or capacity to work in an entrepreneurial, flexible work environment
• Strong writing and editing skills
• An insightful, independent, and analytic mind
• A high degree of cultural astuteness, empathy, integrity, and a sense of humor
• Ability to travel at least 50% of the time, both nationally and internationally
• Demonstrated interest in, and commitment to, Rare’s values and conservation goals

Compensation and Benefits
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience and expertise. In addition to fully covered health insurance, a retirement savings plan, and 3+ weeks of vacation/holiday leave time, Rare employees receive an annual training budget for continuous learning and growth, a bonus plan that ties to individual and organizational performance, and a flexible work environment. This position will be located in Arlington, VA.
To Apply
To be considered for this position, interested candidates must click here to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements:
http://www.ceaconsulting.com/what/position_details.aspx?client=CEA&jobId=201

CEA Recruiting is assisting Rare with its search for a Vice President, Global Development. Please direct all inquiries to CEA Recruiting by contacting Caroline Ott at caroline@ceaconsulting.com or +1.415.421.4213 x24. The position will remain open until filled.
Rare is an equal opportunity employer and diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.