Biodiversity Lead

The GCBC will establish a global network of research institutions and experts to address critical research gaps in how the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can address both climate adaptation and mitigation, while improving livelihoods. The GCBC will help ensure future decision-making in this area is led by and grounded in robust scientific evidence and will focus on ensuring strategic, policy-relevant results, with a global network of knowledge exchange and learning. The research delivered through the GCBC will:

• Improve resilience to climate impacts, support sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities, and reduce carbon emissions and biodiversity loss;
• Foster collaboration between experts and research disciplines to inform policy and unlock finance for biodiversity-based solutions to climate change and poverty;
• Be based on local need and incorporate strong engagement from Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
• Identify and disseminate policy-relevant good practice which can be scaled up and replicated;
• Deliver on our international climate and biodiversity commitments and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; and
• Meet ODA eligibility of primary purpose to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.
The first and second grant competitions were launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively and with further competitions to be launched each year until the close of the programme. Grants range in value from £100,000 to £1m with a total per competition window in the GCBC focus regions; sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, South-East Asia and the Pacific, and Small Island Developing States. The Role The GCBC Biodiversity lead is a new role within our established team following a restructure to the project by the funder. The new role will; work closely with Defra to create two way communications channels on scientific priorities including gaps in research and future priorities for funding; translate these priorities into implementable research funding rounds; design the assessment process for each grant window from the scientific perspective; lead the scientific review process for applications in each research grant competition; provide strategic oversight for the monitoring and evaluation for the project - including reporting to Defra; manage the sub-contractor responsible for creating the international network that will help inform the future priorities for the project; and help the grants management team understand and support the priorities of the portfolio from a Biodiversity perspective. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a vibrant group of organisations across the globe, who are trying to solve problems at the nexus of biodiversity, climate change and livelihoods. We are looking for someonewith expertise in Biodiversity and grant making experience as the primary skillsets. The specific responsibilities of the role are outlined below: Roles & Responsibilities: · Lead the relationship with the Defra science team, ensuring that they have the data and direction they need to make strategic decisions that will allow the project to meet its outcomes and impact indicators · Translate Defra priorities to the grant management team to ensure that research grants are responding to client priorities · Support and advise the MEL team to gather and synthesise data from grantees effectively and that necessary data is available to Defra to make timely and appropriate decisions · Lead the scientific reporting to Defra based on grantee and MEL reports · Lead the scientific element of the Research Grant Competitions (RGCs) to ensure a smooth and accountable process which delivers fundable projects that meet the priorities of each RGC · Manage the sub-contractor responsible for creation of the international network of GCBC ensuring that lessons are shared vertically and horizontally with the programme's stakeholders · Supporting the Grants Director on key tasks relating to deliverables within the Grant Facility, including project and programme planning. · Support in the delivery of various grantee / stakeholder events and webinars.


• A postgraduate degree in a relevant scientific area
• 10 years' relevant experience in biodiversity and climate sector, within government, research institutions or international development organisations
• Experience of research grants competitions from the funder perspective, particularly, how to create a fair and transparent assessment methodology that will deliver the most successful portfolio against the identified themes
• Ability to analyse reporting data and synthesise evidence to inform project direction
• Experience with developing and modifying Logframes and supporting Monitoring and Evaluation teams
• Project planning and implementation experience.
Desirable skills Experience and Qualifications
• Experience of working on HMG funded programmes
• Knowledge and understanding of International Climate Finance Indicators
Input Basis and Schedule of Work, Candidates must be eligible to live and work in their preferred location within the UK without the need for sponsorship.

TheGlobal Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (https://www.gcbc.org.uk/) (GCBC) is hiring for a new role - a Biodiversity Lead - who will play a crucial role in ensuring that GCBC is delivering research across the globe to support the development and uptake of effective solutions for conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to be at the forefront of new developments in biodiversity and conservation, has the passion to be fully engaged in driving initiatives to address the climate crises and who will thrive as part of the leadership of a small team operating in a fast-paced and exciting environment. We are looking for someone with good links across organisations working in the biodiversity space, who has a solid understanding of the research in this sector and who understands how to work with governments and academic organisations to create momentum from new research. The GCBC is implemented by DAI Global UK and has been operational since 2023 and will continue until 31/3/2028 with a high probability of extension until 2033., TheGlobal Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (https://www.gcbc.org.uk/) (GCBC) is a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funded grants programme that will create an international research centre supporting the development and uptake of effective solutions for conserving, managing, and using biodiversity to address the impacts of climate change. Failure to address the climate and biodiversity crises will have dire consequences for our planet and ultimately its human population. People, especially those in marginalised communities in Development Assistance Committee (DAC) listed Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries, are already experiencing the impact of climate change on a frequent basis and this is forecast to worsen unless urgent and transformative action is taken.