Chief Field Officer, Asia

Conservation South Africa; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A major global conservation organization is seeking a Chief Field Officer based in Singapore to lead the strategy and operations across Asia. The role involves substantial leadership of a large team, managing a budget of $20 million, and driving impactful conservation projects. Exceptional communication skills and over 15 years of experience in conservation are required. This position offers a hybrid work structure with significant travel involved.

Qualifications

• Over 15 years of conservation or natural resource management leadership experience.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact conservation projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead CI’s strategy for Asia focusing on climate and biodiversity.
• Oversee operations ensuring alignment with strategy.
• Lead fundraising efforts from various sources.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic development

Fundraising

Communication

Team management

Education

Master’s/Postgraduate degree or equivalent

Doctoral degree (preferred)

Job description

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 Singapore

The Chief Field Officer, Asia Field Management Unit (CFO Asia), leads Conservation International’s strategy, delivery, and impact in Asia, focusing on climate, oceans, and biodiversity. They lead a team of 214+ staff with an annual budget of $20 million. The CFO Asia develops and oversees a pan‑Asian strategy by identifying priorities, raising and allocating flexible funding resources, and representing CI to internal and external partners, including high‑level decision‑makers both internally within CI, and externally with donor agencies, governments, and private sector leaders. This position reports to the Chief Conservation Officer and is a member of CI’s Leadership Team, which is responsible for overseeing the organization’s strategies and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the implementation of CI’s strategy for Asia, which includes unlocking sustainable financing in iconic landscapes while building nature‑based livelihoods, building capacity and improving governance of governments, poverty alleviation through nature conservation, and working with indigenous people to fight climate change.
• Oversee the Asia Field Management Unit’s operations team and ensure operational excellence, including identification of inefficiencies; fully align operations team with the Asia strategy, vision, and goals.
• Oversee project and program design and ensure quality and alignment with vision and strategy, including oversight of programs funded by public and private donors, as well as REDD+ and/or nature financing programs.
• Lead annual planning and budgeting for the Asia Field Management Unit in collaboration with CI’s Leadership team.
• Build and implement a multi‑year plan to increase staff capacity to design and deliver high‑quality conservation projects in compliance with CI and donor requirements.
• Lead and manage the Asia Field Management Unit’s Executive Management Team with a particular focus on accountability, delivery excellence, staff wellbeing, and a culture of equity, inclusion, and diversity throughout the Division.
• Establish and maintain a culture of compassionate conservation that embraces human‑centered design for conservation and supports local‑ and Indigenous‑led conservation.
• Identify and pursue new resources for CI’s Asia strategy, and fundraise from individual, foundations, government, and corporate sources. Identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit high‑net‑worth private donors in partnership with CI’s Development teams.
• Oversee public funding and corporate partnerships and ensure alignment with CI’s Asia strategy.
• Communicate progress on regional strategies and action plans internally within CI and externally through media, social media, and targeted communications.
• Lead establishment, stewardship, cultivation, and growth of an Asia Council.
• Represent CI’s work in Asia with CI board members and other CI bodies, develop high‑impact partnerships with private sector, governments, academia, and other non‑governmental organizations.
• Represent CI with high‑level government officials and private sector leaders.

People And Resource Management Responsibilities

• Oversee approximately 214+ staff across the Asia Field Management Unit, including nine direct reports.
• Responsible for an average annual budget of $20 million.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position requires significant travel, with up to 50% of the time dedicated to travel to countries in Asia, Europe, and the USA for high‑level meetings and fundraising. Travel is conducted only when safe to do so and in accordance with CI policies and country‑specific mandates or restrictions.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications

Required

• A Master’s/Postgraduate degree or equivalent and more than 15 years of broad conservation and/or natural resource management leadership, strategy development, and program management experience. Experience in Asia required.
• 5 or more years of experience in senior leadership.
• 7 or more years of experience managing teams of professional employees.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high‑impact conservation projects.
• Demonstrated success in influencing and communicating with national‑level authorities and private sector leaders.
• Ability to transform research and project results into practical decision‑making tools and improved practices and policy for governments, private sector, and civil society.
• A proven track record of identifying strategic issues and priorities, developing implementation teams and plans, and serving as the key decision‑maker on programmatic, fundraising, and operational issues.
• Advanced university degree in conservation and/or development, or related field, or significant equivalent expertise and experience.
• A proven track record of successful fundraising at the $1 million+ level.
• Excellent ability to work in a variety of cultural and political settings.
• Professional fluency in English.

Preferred

• A doctoral degree in conservation, natural resource management and/or development.
• Fluency in an Asian language (Chinese, Malay, Tagalog, Khmer, Tetum, Portuguese etc.) is beneficial.

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)

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

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.