Chief Field Officer, Asia

Conservation South Africa; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 195,000 - 261,000; Full time

Job summary

An international conservation organization is seeking a Chief Field Officer for Asia based in Singapore. This executive role involves leading conservation strategies across the region, managing a large team, and ensuring operational excellence. The ideal candidate has significant experience in conservation leadership, especially in Asia, and a proven fundraising track record. The role is full-time, offering a competitive salary and a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in conservation or natural resource management.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience.
• 7+ years of experience managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI’s strategy for Asia.
• Oversee operations and project design.
• Ensure alignment with CI’s vision and goals.

Skills

Leadership in conservation

Strategic development

Team management

Fundraising

Fluency in English

Education

Master’s/Postgraduate degree in relevant field

Doctoral degree in conservation (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Chief Field Officer, Asia – Conservation South Africa

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, CI spotlights and secures the most important places in nature for climate, biodiversity, and people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, CI 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 (CFO Asia) leads CI’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 within CI and donor agencies, governments, and the private sector.

This position reports to the Chief Conservation Officer and is a member of CI’s Leadership Team, which oversees the organization’s strategies and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the implementation of CI’s strategy for Asia, including unlocking sustainable financing in iconic landscapes while building nature-based livelihoods, improving governance, poverty alleviation through nature conservation, and collaboration with Indigenous peoples to combat climate change.
• Oversee the Asia Field Management Unit’s operations and ensure operational excellence, aligning the operations team with the Asia strategy, vision, and goals.
• Oversee project and program design and ensure quality and alignment with vision and strategy, including 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 focus on accountability, delivery excellence, staff wellbeing, and a culture of equity, inclusion, and diversity.
• 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 NGOs.
• Represent CI with high-level government officials and private sector leaders.

People and Resource Management

• Oversee approximately 282+ staff across the Asia Field Management Unit, including nine direct reports.
• Responsible for an average annual budget of $40M.

Working conditions

• Significant travel up to 50% of the time to countries in Asia, Europe, and the USA for high-level meetings and fundraising. Travel is conducted only when safe and in accordance with CI policies and country-specific mandates or restrictions.
• Hybrid work structure with some days in the office and some remote; guidance provided during the interview process.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s/Postgraduate degree or equivalent, with more than 15 years of conservation and/or natural resource management leadership, strategy development, and program management experience. Experience in Asia required.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience.
• 7+ 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 translate research and project results into practical decision-making tools and improved practices and policy for governments, private sector, and civil society.
• Proven track record of identifying strategic issues, developing implementation plans, and serving as key decision-maker on programmatic, fundraising, and operational issues.
• Advanced university degree in conservation and/or development, or significant equivalent expertise and experience.
• 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

• 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

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

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 (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.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Business Development and Sales

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