Senior Director, Caribbean Islands Programming

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Georgetown, Guyana

The Senior Director, Caribbean Islands Programming, provides strategic and programmatic leadership for Conservation International’s (CI’s) work in the Caribbean Islands Region of Action. They are responsible for building and managing relationships that advance CI’s mission and conservation priorities on climate, oceans, and biodiversity within the region. Duties are complex and include leading the design, implementation, delivery, and monitoring, of CI’s Caribbean strategy, including integration across CI divisions and country programs as necessary. The Senior Director provides broad programmatic, project, monitoring, and technical oversight and continuously engages key internal and external partners critical to the successful implementation of the Caribbean Islands Strategy. They ensure compliance with CI policies, program, and funding agreements, and local requirements.

The Senior Director, Caribbean Islands Programming, plays a leading role in developing and managing relationships with governments, intergovernmental and multilateral organizations, and public, private, and civic organizations within the Region. They also collaborate with CI’s global divisions, agencies, and country programs and leverage the organization’s credibility and impact, working across islands to ensure that CI’s comparative advantages and experiences are strategically deployed within the region for the benefit of people and nature. The Senior Director, Caribbean Islands Programming plays key roles in initiating and shaping new project concepts to build a robust pipeline of investable opportunities, the development of project proposals, and advancing funding relationships with key donors and partners. They continuously represent CI and leverage internal and external alliances to engage key external stakeholders, including government and NGO officials, donors, and other parties that are critical to the successful implementation of the Caribbean Islands Strategy.

The Senior Director, Program collaborates with staff throughout CI-Guyana, other CI Country programs in the Caribbean, and the wider CI to ensure the program forms an integral part of achieving organization-wide goals. They identify capacity gaps and provide high-level oversight in implementing strategies that build capacity and drive program objectives forward.

The Senior Director, Caribbean Islands Programming, directly manages staff, interdisciplinary teams, and/or outside vendors and partners as needed. They work with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities

Develop and adaptively manage strategies, objectives, work plans, and metrics for CI’s focus on the Caribbean Islands as a Region of Action.
Provide strategic oversight, team leadership, and internal and external engagements to effectively implement CI’s Caribbean Islands Strategy and ensure high-impact outputs; ensuring quality delivery by executing partners.
Lead engagements and alliances with CI divisions, agencies, and country programs for alignment, integration, and delivery of CI’s Caribbean Islands Strategy with CI’s regional and global conservation priorities.
Provide technical and programmatic support to CI's strategic priorities and portfolio of work in the Wider Caribbean Region
Ensure monitoring, measurement, interpretation, and sharing of results on CI’s impact in the Caribbean Islands on a regular basis.
Directly oversee and ensure program compliance with CI policies, funding agreements, and local requirements.
Advance and influence stakeholder understanding and support through proactive communication efforts, including fact sheets, statistics, and other high-level communication materials.
Continuously cultivate and engage stakeholders, including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners critical to success. Regularly partnering with CI divisions and agencies to unlock available funding for regional conservation priorities.
Continuously represent the organization externally. Serve as a trusted and visible point of contact for CI.
Champion opportunities for program growth and development.
Hold conferences and learning events to share CI’s expertise, best practices, and amplify success with key audiences.
Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office environment.
Local and/or international travel of 20% or more, often in difficult travel conditions.
Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in environmental management, international policy, environmental economics, or a related field with 10 or more years of related professional experience.
Senior-level program or project management experience, with good experience and understanding of the Caribbean Islands and the Wider Caribbean Region.
The position requires high proficiency in English, both oral and written.
Understanding of global policy issues related to areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), marine protected areas (MPA), and other effective conservation measures. (OECM), and migratory and straddling species, particularly related to climate change and conservation.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects or initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated skills in intercultural communication and in a multicultural environment, and experience engaging multiple audiences, and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups.

Preferred

Graduate degree
Excellent technical and analytical skills, including demonstrated experience in project management.
Excellent organization and time management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proven ability in successfully interpreting and communicating scientific information.
A record of success partnering with, and influencing, key stakeholders and successfully raising funds.
Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Adept at working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities with limited supervision.
Fluency in Spanish would be an advantage.
Proven self-starter, willing to take initiative on solving problems and providing follow-on assistance.
Working familiarity with all Microsoft Office Programs.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: February 09, 2026 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.

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Senior Director Caribbean Islands Programming