Senior Conservation Scientist

The Senior Conservation Scientist provides scientific leadership and technical expertise to guide and support conservation strategies across TNC’s programs in India. The incumbent will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that conservation actions are grounded in rigorous science, lead applied research, and help shape strategic decisions to maximize ecological and social outcomes. This position will be located in New Delhi.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

As a Senior Conservation Scientist at the Nature Conservancy India Solutions, you will provide strategic scientific leadership and direction for conservation initiatives in areas such as climate mitigation, freshwater systems, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. The role involves supervising and managing research projects, collaborating with academic partners, ensuring robust scientific underpinnings for conservation actions, building capacity within the team and with partners, and representing the organization in scientific and donor forums. Additionally, you will help to develop frameworks to measure impact, identify emerging conservation challenges, and work closely with global and regional teams to adapt best practices and contribute to fundraising by articulating the scientific basis of proposed interventions

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

Scientific Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and scientific oversight to conservation initiatives in climate mitigation, freshwater systems, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem restoration.
• Ensure that conservation interventions are underpinned by robust ecological, social, and economic science.
• Enhance ongoing programs in landscape restoration, and freshwater conservation, in particular, while also identifying other integrated landscape programs.

Research and Knowledge Generation

• Design and manage applied research projects in partnership with leading academic and research institutions.
• Translate research into actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers, and publish findings in high-impact scientific journals.

Program Support and Innovation

• Co-develop monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks to measure conservation impact, drawing on expertise and lessons from across TNC projects globally.
• Identify emerging threats and opportunities in conservation and integrate them into program design.
• Help to design innovative implementation modalities, and work with policy teams to identify pathways to greater impact.

Capacity Building and Partnerships

• Build internal and partner capacity in conservation science methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Represent TNC India in scientific forums, advisory committees, and with donors.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with TNC teams globally and regionally to adopt and adapt global best practices to the Indian context.
• Contribute to fundraising proposals by articulating the scientific rationale and evidence base for interventions.

What You Will Bring

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, or related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in applied conservation science, preferably in India or South Asia.
• Experience in working in similar conservation/development organizations, and in leading and supporting applied science projects that impact conservation.
• Experience with geospatial analysis, modelling, or decision-support tools is desirable.
• Ability to analyse technical/scientific information and translating that into layperson summaries for decision makers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in one or more Indian languages is a plus.
• Ability to manage time independently and prioritize diverse responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary, multicultural environment.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency to read, write and speak an additional Indian language is required.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Deep knowledge of current trends in ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, landscape restoration, freshwater conservation, etc. are highly desired

Who We Are :

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor . Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Bring :

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into 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 and partners, we impact conservation around the world! TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

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 culture. 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 orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process. TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.