Conservation Strategy Fund is seeking an experienced Environmental Economist to join our dynamic team working at the intersection of conservation and sustainable development. This person will play a key role in growing our portfolio of technical analyses and capacity building programs in Eastern and Southern Africa and can expect to work on a wide array of compelling and innovative projects.

Job Summary

The Economist is responsible for conducting rigorous technical analyses, collaborating with colleagues on projects, project management, contributing to our capacity building program, supporting proposal development, and conveying the results of our analyses in clear, concise, and compelling ways.  S/he does this through technical and practical understanding of the interface between conservation and development, ability to drive policy change, and by working well in a team.

S/he will engage with stakeholders, clients, alumni, and funders to develop program ideas and seek opportunities to use economics to solve our greatest environmental problems. The person will draft concept notes and proposals for submission to funders and donor clients, and will work closely with and report to CSF’s Africa Director, as well as working collaboratively with the organization’s Lead Economist, the CFO, and others on the development of these proposals.

The position’s geographic focus will be Eastern and Southern Africa, but could also include work anywhere in the world. The person can expect to work on projects involving valuation of ecosystem services, cost-benefit analysis, geo-spatial analysis, and financial needs analysis, just to name a few.

This position requires a detail-oriented and organized thinker with exceptionally good written and verbal communication skills, who can juggle multiple, competing priorities. The ideal candidate will have broad experience with applied economic analysis targeted to address environmental challenges related to deforestation, financial sustainability of protected areas, overfishing, and climate change. The position provides an opportunity for a flexible work environment and an active voice in the vision of a focused, dedicated, and fun organization.   

Responsibilities:

• Analysis: Conduct rigorous and objective analysis using primary or secondary data sources that result in a policy brief and/or a discussion paper, a technical paper, or a journal article.
• Communication: Ensure rigorous and compelling written presentation of research carried out across the institution, including in peer-reviewed journals and CSF white papers. 
• Project management: Ensure on time and on budget delivery of high quality analyses and/or capacity building activities.
• Teamwork: Supervised by the Africa Director, you will work with other CSF economists and consultants on multiple projects at once, and be expected to work collaboratively and dutifully.
• Fundraising and external relationships: Assist in the development of proposals and other fundraising activities.
• Track impact: Monitor and help evaluate performance of CSF’s analyses and derive lessons for ongoing improvement in institutional approach.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Masters degree in natural resource economics or related degree with a quantitative focus. Demonstrated passion and experience in the field of natural resources, environment or sustainable development.
• 3+ years of experience applying economics to environment and development issues, including working directly with policy makers, the private sector, academia, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Passion and commitment to nature conservation and sustainable development.
• Broad international and intercultural work experience.
• Technical proficiency in two or more of the following analytical areas: cost-benefit analysis, valuation of ecosystem services, design of payment for ecosystem services, experimental economics, spatial modeling, fisheries modeling.
• Successful track record of writing technical proposals.
• Enthusiasm for learning and taking on new analytical problems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented and organized thinker who can juggle multiple, competing priorities.
• Ability to fluently speak and write in English. Strong preference for proficiency in spoken and written Spanish. Portuguese and/or French proficiency is also a plus. 
• Preferred location: Durban, South Africa, but open to other locations South Africa.

To Apply

Please send your cover letter with salary expectations, CV, and link to your Linkedin profile to [email protected]. Please include “Environmental Economist” in the subject line of the email. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Those who are accepted to the next round will be notified. 

About CSF

Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) is an international non-profit organization that uses economics to support environmental conservation and sustainable development. We conduct rigorous economic analyses of infrastructure, protected areas, conservation incentive programs, and related issues, deliver a world-class capacity building program, and work closely with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to support well-informed decision making. We focus on Latin America and Indonesia with an evolving body of work in Africa, and have offices in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, and the United States. For more information, visit our website at www.conservation-strategy.org.