Unlock a Remote Career in Climate Action: Lead a Groundbreaking Fungi Project to Save Our Planet

The Hidden Power of Fungi in Climate Change

Fungal biodiversity is a critical yet often overlooked component in the fight against climate change. These invisible ecosystem engineers play a vital role in regulating the climate and sustaining global biodiversity. However, fungi have been largely excluded from climate change strategies, conservation agendas, and restoration efforts. This project aims to change that by integrating fungi into global climate and conservation frameworks.

About the Project

This is a three-year collaborative project led by Toby Kiers, Giuliana Furci, and Merlin Sheldrake, funded by a Climate Breakthrough Award. The goal is to lay the legal, regulatory, and scientific groundwork needed to include fungi in global climate and conservation agendas. Success in this endeavor could protect fungal communities and harness their power to mitigate climate change and support biodiversity worldwide.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Project Lead to develop an interdisciplinary strategy and oversee the execution and delivery of this project. This senior role requires someone with a proven track record in project leadership within the climate and/or biodiversity sectors. The ideal candidate will work independently across organizations, sectors, and disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Development and Execution

• Build a project identity and strategy across organizations.
• Develop a vision for implementation and communication.

Project Management and Execution

• Organize and track project activities, milestones, and deliverables.
• Report grant progress to funders.
• Collaborate with the Fungi Foundation and SPUN teams to execute key activities.
• Manage strategic communications and identify opportunities in scientific and political arenas.
• Handle high-level administrative duties, including preparing detailed minutes and executive summaries.

Partnership and Relationship Building

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with government agencies, NGOs, and scientific partners.
• Lead initial conversations to determine alignment and suitability.
• Design and implement partnership frameworks and agreements.
• Ensure partnership deliverables are feasible and well-executed.

Integration Across Teams

• Work closely with the core team and the teams at the Fungi Foundation and SPUN.
• Manage the budget and liaise with the finance lead.

Requirements

• 3-5 years’ experience in climate and/or biodiversity work.
• Proven track record of project leadership and delivery.
• Exceptional communication and networking skills.
• Ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
• Senior-level presence to represent organizational strategy in high-level conversations.
• Self-directed, autonomous, and ambitious.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex policy and science concepts.
• First language English, proficiency in Spanish.
• Fungal expertise is welcome but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at the intersection of scientific research and policy.
• Familiarity with biodiversity conservation frameworks and climate commitments (e.g., UN CBD, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement).
• Understanding of Indigenous rights and community-based conservation approaches.
• Existing network in conservation and climate change ecosystems.
• Experience with international partnerships and strategic relationships.
• Experience evaluating or implementing environmental data platforms or technologies.

Working Environment

• This is a remote position, but the candidate must be able to travel easily for meetings, research, or collaboration.

Further Details

• 3-year consultancy role as a contractor with an initial 3-month trial period.
• Start date: March 1st, 2026 (or earlier).

Location & Compensation

• Applicants from around the world are welcome. Comfort with collaborating across multiple time zones is essential.
• Compensation is based on location and experience, with a global multiplier applied to ensure equity across regions.

To Apply

Submit the following materials via BambooHR:

• A resume.
• A cover letter describing how your background aligns with this role, including details of a project you’ve led and key inflection points.
• Contact information for three professional references.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Note: We will notify you before contacting any references.

About the Organizations

This is a joint project between the Fungi Foundation and the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN).

• Fungi Foundation: An international environmental non-profit dedicated to conserving the world’s fungi, working to integrate fungi into education, policy, and public communication since 2012.
• SPUN: Focuses on mapping and protecting mycorrhizal fungal networks that regulate Earth’s climate and ecosystems, using a global data platform and a network of over 400 Science Associates.

VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE & APPLY!