Job description

The Garrison Institute seeks an action-oriented thought leader to direct the Pathways to Planetary Health Initiative.

About The Garrison Institute

The Garrison Institute was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization that explores the intersection of contemplation, science and engaged action in the world. The Institute applies the power of contemplation to today’s social and environmental challenges, connecting the skills and wisdom contemplation builds with emerging insights from science, to leverage transformational change and help build a more compassionate, resilient future. The Institute focuses on the following core initiatives:

· Pathways to Planetary Health: Pathways to Planetary Health (PPH) is the Garrison Institute’s signature environmental initiative. PPH helps advance the field of planetary health, building upon nearly two decades of experience developing practical, scalable solutions to global environmental issues by integrating the physical and behavioral sciences, the relational world view inherent in contemplative and indigenous traditions, and a moral view seeking to optimize the regenerative capacity of all of life on Earth. PPH initiates projects, conducts research, hosts public forums, develops leadership programs, and organizes courses to advance planetary health. By sharing our understanding of the actions required to address this pressing issue, Garrison aims to change mindsets and outcomes.

· Contemplative-Based Resilience: The Contemplative Based Resilience Project (CBR) was created in response to the need to address the chronic and acute stress that frontline professionals experience as they provide care for the most vulnerable in our society. The CBR Project teaches the ABCs of Resilience: Awareness, Balance, and Connection with courses and coaching that provide practical skills and tools to maintain mental health and well-being. Grounded in cutting edge evidence-based research, the CBR Project was designed by experts in trauma informed care, humanitarian aid work, and psychology.

· Compassionate Leadership in Finance: A growing number of Wall Street executives are wrestling with a host of pressing environmental and social issues, including declining employee morale and engagement – which can affect operational efficiencies, their ability to make sound business decisions, and their capacity to address a rapidly growing need to fulfill Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. The Garrison Institute’s Compassionate Leadership in Finance (CLIF) program guides financial leaders and financial organizations to think deeply about these issues, engage in contemplative-based practices, and develop practical approaches to problem solving and decision-making by strengthening their capacity for compassionate leadership. Creating a compassionate corporate culture enhances employee purpose and ESG impact, making it possible for the financial sector to become a force for good.

· The Garrison Institute Fellowship: A component of Compassionate Leadership, the Garrison Institute Fellowship is developing next generation leaders, by providing fellows with monthly retreats, lectures from visiting scholars, Fellowship Forums, curated research and literature, and intra-fellowship collaborations. The Fellows develop relationships with one another as well as experts in the field, expand their individual understanding and methodologies, and organize meaningful offerings – such as public workshops and conference convenings – that have the potential to make long-term impact on communities and systems.

The Institute is housed in a beautifully renovated former monastery on 90 acres overlooking the Hudson River an hour north of New York City. Current staff consists of 10 full time and 10 part time employees, plus key consultants. The anticipated FY23 budget is $4.0M. For more information, please visit www.garrisoninstitute.org.

About the Pathways to Planetary Health Initiative

PPH initiates projects, conducts research, hosts public forums, runs leadership programs, and organizes courses to advance planetary health. By sharing understanding of the actions required to address this pressing issue, PPH aims to change mindsets and outcomes. The initiative’s work is guided by four pathways, which the PPH program explores and seeks to integrate into actionable projects:

· Biodiversity Stewardship: Biodiversity, the extraordinary variety and interdependence of life on Earth, is the ecological foundation of planetary health. This magnificent breadth and complexity of our natural world generates its adaptability and resilience. Unfortunately, it is under threat from human development. Bringing together science, finance, and policy, PPH is developing integrated solutions to protect and regenerate biodiversity in collaboration with NGOs, businesses, and communities.

· Ecological Civilization: Human production and consumption of energy, food, and water, and the creation of buildings, transportation and the other elements of development have an enormous impact on the planet. Our current practices exceed the boundaries of planetary health. An ecological civilization aligns its means of production and consumption with the ecological processes of the Earth. PPH staff research and promote the development of regenerative human systems that improve planetary health and wellbeing of all life.

· Regenerative Economics: PPH explores emerging economic systems that seek to enhance planetary health, aligning the wellbeing of financial systems, people and their communities, and the planet.

· Common Good: The common good is a recognition of the shared commons, and responsibility for it across peoples, species, and generations. Pope Francis described this ethos in his encyclical Laudato Si on the environment and human ecology, which called for a universal communion that “excludes nothing and no one.” In such a society, the fundamental value system is one that treats every element—from organisms in the soil to humanity itself—with equal respect and care. We bring together thought leaders and actors to develop systems to explore how to enhance the commons and the common good.

About the Position

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Pathways to Planetary Health Director at the Garrison Institute will be responsible for creating and managing programs in furtherance of planetary health through the four pathways. This will include program management, a high level of external networking and relationship building, budget management, fundraising, and event orchestration. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will also be guided by Institute Co-Founder and Senior Advisor to PPH, Jonathan F.P. Rose. The position is initially supported by two part-time program associates with opportunities to grow as funding grows. The PPH director will collaborate with other key members of the Institute team. The Director will begin with a focus on three primary projects:

· Biodiversity Preservation Initiative: As the potential to connect nature-based financing solutions with biodiversity preservation grows, there is a greater need for scientifically based metrics to establish and track biodiversity targets. The Pathway’s Biodiversity Preservation Initiative integrates the Species Habitat Index (SHI), a metric designed by Yale University scientist Walter Jetz with the Impact Observatory’s remote-sensing technology, to assess the size and connectivity of suitable habitat. The result is a robust metric that measures changes in the estimated connectivity, size, and quality of species habitats, to help direct and inform the flow of nature focused finance. The program connects these systems with large landholders, creating the basis to finance measurable preservation of or gains in biodiversity.

· The Symposium for the Common Good, March 2023: The symposium will explore the many dimensions of the commons and the common good, grounded in interbeing[1], as an essential way of knowing and acting in the world, to advance planetary health. The symposium will bring together a diverse group of thought and organizational leaders working to shift our world view from hyper individuality to one of valuing the commons. Garrison’s view is that the commons is an essential systemic, social, psychological, economic, and political foundation necessary to successfully address the climate, biodiversity and social justice issues of the times. The goal is to develop a collective understanding of the commons, and develop a theory of change as to how to best shift our individualistic sense of agency to mutuality, a necessary condition of Planetary Health.

· The Pathways to Planetary Health Forum: The Forum is a monthly online webinar and podcast, presenting diverse thought leaders in the field.

In addition to these three programs, the Director will join in the design of an implementation strategy to advance PPH principles.

The ideal candidate will be a confident and collaborative thought leader in the world of planetary health, who is energized by connecting with leaders and doers across the globe. The Director should be a systems thinker, who is able to see potential exciting and mutually beneficial connections and relationships as the program evolves. The candidate should have a working knowledge of biodiversity, environmental regulatory systems, and the financial mechanisms that underly the program’s objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy & Initiative Development

· Provide strong visionary leadership in creating and implementing a multi-year plan to establish PPH initiative strategy and programs

· Represent the PPH program in networks such as the Planetary Health Alliance and the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, helping to advance the Garrison Institute as a leader in the space

· Build program eminence through thought-leading publications and blog posts, expansion of participation in professional organizations, participation in conferences and forums, and audience growth.

· As a member of the GI Senior Leadership Team, collaborate on multi-year planning efforts, fundraising, and internal process improvements

· Serve as the primary point of contact and face of GI for PPH programming

· Deepen personal, contemplative practices and thinking as to how such practices help advance PPH’s goals

Program Management and Operations

· Manage PPH programs to have impact, meeting budget objectives and fulfilling GI mission

· Develop and manage annual PPH budget for approval by the Board and oversight by the ED

· In collaboration with the director of Institutional Advancement, identify, solicit, and secure grant funding and major gifts in support of PPH work

· Collaborate with Garrison Institute staff and co-founders to identify speakers for PPH Forum talks, and coordinate hosting of talks

· Plan and execute symposia that attract national and global attention

· Work with communications team to cultivate appropriate social media and media attention and interaction

· Define and collect results-oriented metrics to measure the reach and effectiveness of PPH programming

· Supervise staff and contractors on an as-needed basis

Key Qualifications

The ideal candidate should demonstrate most, if not all of the following:

Program Management, Leadership, and Development

· 5-10+ years of program management experience in relevant field required

· Demonstrated experience in raising funds for programs required; grant writing experience strongly preferred

· Proven expertise in cultivating program awareness, expanding programs, and engaging diverse audiences towards a common goal

· Understanding of nature-based finance programs

· Conference and/or event planning experience highly preferred

· Excellent communication and writing skills with experience writing blogs, white papers, and professional reports required

· Very strong interpersonal, collaborative, and working relationship skills with proven ability to build networks and partnerships with key leaders across a broad spectrum of fields

· Innovative and strategic thinker and planner with demonstrated leadership skills

General Qualities and Experience

· Deep personal and professional commitment to the mission and vision of the PPH Initiative

· Superior external relations skills, with public speaking experience required

· Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities as well as the ability to address and solve problems or issues as they arise

· Thoughtful ability to work with and respect culturally diverse stakeholders

· Personal experience with mindfulness and contemplative practices

· Financial analytic skills preferred

· Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in a related field

· Willingness to travel mostly within the U.S. and the ability to conduct and attend various conferences and symposia held on evenings and weekends.

Annual Compensation: $125,000 – 150,000, depending upon experience.

The Garrison Institute is committed to being is an equal-opportunity employer. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All applications will be handled confidentially.

As of 2021, the Garrison Institute has implemented a mandatory COVID vaccination policy for staff and attendees of onsite retreats and events. Click here for more information: https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/about-us/safety-protocols-for-covid-19/

For more information, please visit www.developmentguild.com.

For more information about the Garrison Institute, please visit https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/

Bill Weber and Mel Witman

Development Guild DDI

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote

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