Climate Change and Invasive Species Regional Research Coordinator (RRC)

Responsible to: Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT), Terrestrial Program Manager and the Pacific Research on Island Solutions for Adaptation (Pacific RISA), Co-Director.

Salary: $55-$65K (Depending on education and experience for a 2-year position)

Start Date: May 2025

Preferred Location: Flexible; must be located within one of the five jurisdictions of the Micronesia Challenge (Federated States of Micronesia [FSM], the Republic of the Marshall Islands [RMI], the Republic of Palau, the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [CNMI], and the US Territory of Guam)

Summary of Responsibilities: The Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC1 ) Management Network (risccnetwork.org) aims to reduce the effects of invasive species and climate change by synthesizing relevant science, communicating the needs of managers to researchers, building stronger scientist-manager communities, and conducting priority research. There are currently five RISCC teams across the United States and affiliated insular jurisdictions addressing the combined impacts of invasive species and climate change.

In pursuit of MCT’s strategic vision of “Enduring partnerships that conserve our land and sea to improve quality of life for communities across Micronesia,” and the MC goals, MCT in collaboration with the Pacific RISA program is seeking a Regional Research Coordinator (RRC) to work at the intersection of climate change adaptation and invasive species management within the Pacific RISCC team. Under the supervision of the MCT Terrestrial Program Manager and the Pacific RISA Co-Director, the RRC will work with Pacific RISCC to provide needed research and coordination support to natural resource managers in the Pacific Islands. They will also strengthen regional partnerships and awareness around the interactions/synergistic effects of climate change and invasive species in the region, in accordance with the Micronesia Challenge 2030 (MC2030) goals and objectives. At the 2019 Micronesia Islands Forum (MIF), the leaders of the FSM, RMI, Palau, CNMI, and Guam expanded the goals of the MC2030 to include invasive species and climate change components, and the RRC will serve an important technical advisory role to the MC2030 partnership.

The RRC will join an existing network of scientists and managers who make up the Pacific RISCC team and will contribute to actionable conservation science in the face of global change across the USAffiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI).

Specific Responsibilities:

• The RRC will develop and support a policy-relevant research agenda that addresses key gaps between existing science and the information needs of invasive species managers.

• They will facilitate the update of the FSM, RMI, and Palau Invasive Species Plans or provide advisory and technical support upon request and as needed.

• Working closely with the Pacific RISCC team, the RRC will collect and synthesize existing scientific information, products, and tools that are relevant to climate change and invasive species interactions in Hawaii and the USAPI.

• They will participate and assist with coordination of the Pacific RISCC monthly meetings and webinar series.

• They will participate in and support the Regional Invasive Species Council of Micronesia (Micronesia RISC) at annual meetings, conferences, and workshops as relevant to the Micronesia Challenge to facilitate discussions on policy and actions related to invasive species.

• They will produce tailored technical reports, journal articles, research summaries, infographics, and fact sheets about the nexus of invasive species and climate change and distribute them to local and regional networks to increase their utility and effectiveness.

• They will coordinate virtual and in-person meetings, workshops, and/or knowledge exchange activities to ensure continued communication and information uptake among the international scientific and management communities.

• The position will act as a connector across a broad invasive species network, and have opportunities to apply for grant funding, collaborate with a diversity of partners, and pursue their own research ideas.

• They will work with the MC Regional Coordinator, the MC Steering Committee and other relevant partners to define the goals/objectives, targets and milestone for the invasive species and climate components of the Micronesia Challenge, and share lessons learned with other RISCC partners.

Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s Degree or PhD in natural resource management, environmental studies, conservation, ecology, applied climate science, or a related field.

Experience

• 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in conservation research, especially related to climate change and invasive species. Excellent written and oral communication skills with report writing and publication experience preferred. Experience coordinating meetings and events, in person and remotely. Experience facilitating stakeholder workshops, webinars, and related activities. Ability to communicate with researchers, managers, and the general public about climate change and invasive species. Demonstrated professional relationships in the Pacific Islands region.

Language

• Written and oral fluency in English is required and fluency in at least one of the Micronesia vernacular languages is preferred. Ability to communicate professionally with a wide variety of people of different cultures to develop, negotiate, and/or implement functional programs.

Travel: Some domestic and international travel may be required for workshops and other Pacific RISCC network events. MCT will pay all travel costs.

Submission of Application: Interested applicants must submit their proposals to Drinnette James at djames@ourmicronesia.org with the subject heading: Climate Change and Invasive Species Regional Research Coordinator (RRC) no later than 15 April 2025.

The application must include the following:

• A cover letter

• A detailed CV with information on the experience and competence of the applicant, location of habitation (jurisdiction), and contact information.

• Contact details of two references/previous clients that can comment on the applicant’s ability to perform the work.