Circumpolar Conservation Union
Position Announcement - Executive Director
THE SEARCH
The Circumpolar Conservation Union (CCU) seeks an Executive Director to
succeed its founder, and to lead this important and successful
organization into the next stage of its development. CCU is a small
organization, and the E.D. is responsible for all programmatic,
managerial, and development duties. CCU is currently a project of the
Tides Center.
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1993, and located in Washington, D.C., CCU works to protect
the ecological and cultural integrity of the Arctic. This mission is
undertaken through policy development, public education, and issue
advocacy programs that promote cooperation among arctic Indigenous
peoples and other diverse interests. CCU advocates for mechanisms and
institutions that promote environmental protection, sustainable
development, and human rights in the Arctic.
CCU is the only U.S. organization devoted exclusively to circumpolar
cultural and environmental protection issues. In 2001, CCU was granted
official "observer status" to the Arctic Council, signaling its high
standing with NGO and governmental groups working in the region.
Among the issues CCU works on are: environment and health concerns, such
as, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Arctic, climate change,
mercury contamination, and food safety in Alaska; and Indigenous rights
to resource use and management in the region. CCU collaborates with many
state, national, regional, and international environmental, Indigenous,
and human rights policy and advocacy groups, tribal entities and
Northern communities.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
CCU's founder wishes to step down as Executive Director to pursue new
interests and opportunities. CCU's next E.D. will inherit an
organization that has excellent relationships with its many
constituents, has a distinguished advisory board, and is in robust
financial health. This strong foundation offers an excellent opportunity
for the next E.D. Currently, the Executive Director is the only
full-time employee of the organization, although there is funding in
place for additional staff.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Because CCU is a small organization, the E.D. is responsible for all
programmatic, budgeting and planning, fundraising, and outreach duties.
It is expected that CCU will hire new staff in 2002.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
CCU's Executive Director interacts with a wide range of people working
in diverse institutions and regions. These constituencies include arctic
Indigenous leaders, international NGOs, the U.S., Alaska, and other
arctic governments, environmental organizations, scientists, academic
and health experts, and circumpolar Indigenous peoples organizations.
CCU functions most effectively when it can be a bridge among these
various groups. The ideal candidate for CCU's Executive Director will
have the following professional experience and personal characteristics.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 5 years of organizational leadership experience.
- Experience in and knowledge about environmental, health, and
Indigenous peoples' issues and networks.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and
communications skills.
- Strong writing and negotiating skills.
- Advocacy experience.
- Proven ability to fundraise.
- An advanced degree in law, the social sciences, or environmental
sciences is strongly preferred.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Strong values and dedication to the vision of CCU.
- An ability to listen, remain open to different and conflicting points
of view, and to find common ground among parties who distrust each
other.
- A gregarious and outgoing person able to listen to and engage with a
broad cross-section of people, cultures, and professions.
- A consensus builder eager to build personal trust as well as
negotiate policy.
- A broad and innovative thinker who will see new possibilities for
organizational structure and engagement relative to CCU's mission and
programs.
- An organized and efficient work style that can accommodate many
projects and duties at once.
- An ability to motivate others both in staff and coalition settings.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS
- Understanding of arctic environmental science and policy.
- Strong networks in Alaska and arctic Indigenous communities.
- Experience in working in Washington, in policy development, and in
legislative advocacy.
- Experience with international government forums.
- Russian language skills.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send a letter explaining his or her
interest in the region and the position, a short professional writing
sample, a resume, recent salary history, and a list of references to
candidates [at] ccusearch.org. Please also note where you learned about the
position.
Please submit materials as Microsoft Word Document or PDF files. If it
is not possible to send materials by email, please fax materials to:
773/761-6561.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 28 February 2002
Questions about the search or positions should be directed to:
question [at] ccusearch.org.
No phone calls please.