Projects Manager, TREES

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.

The Rainforest Alliance's TREES (Training, Extension, Enterprises and Sourcing) program promotes sustainable livelihoods and protects biodiversity in forest-dependent communities. We work to enhance the competitiveness of community and indigenous forestry enterprises by building business skills, increasing efficiencies, and facilitating investment in value-added processing, expanding income opportunities from wood and non-wood forest products and environmental services, and increasing access to local and global markets through Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the TREES Director, the Projects Manager will provide dynamic and creative leadership to manage and implement TREES project activities with a particular focus on South America and West and Central Africa. S/he will also provide specific assistance in the area of business development, competitiveness and marketing.

Reports to: Director, TREES Program, Sustainable Forestry Division

Responsibilities:

• Serve as key technical and operational resource on project design and implementation to enhance the capacity of forest dependent groups and local communities, especially in the areas of business development and marketing;
• Provide management and planning back-stopping for project teams including work plans, progress reports, budgets, contracts and financial reports for assigned projects and country programs;
• Identify strategic opportunities and coordinate project development in response to these opportunities to grow the TREES program;
• Coordinate outreach activities with public and private sector buyers aimed at assisting small and medium-sized forest enterprises to increase access to markets;
• Develop and assist with the delivery of tools for enterprise competitiveness enhancement, small business development and marketing;
• Develop and maintain functional partnerships, support capacity building initiatives and develop fluid communication and relations with donors;
• Provide input to overall Forestry Division planning and strategy and monitor progress of TREES objectives and targets;
• Remain current and knowledgeable on developments in corporate responsibility, key international forestry trends and environmental, social and economic issues impacting TREES project regions;
• Supervise assigned staff in the effective and timely accomplishment of program deliverables; and
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Natural Resources Management, Rural Development, Economics, Business Administration or related field required; Advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years experience in project management, planning and monitoring; experience in Latin America required, work in West Africa a plus;
• Proficiency in Spanish required; proficiency in French a plus;
• Experience in small enterprise development and marketing, with a focus on production and marketing of products and services by community enterprises preferred;
• Experience in design and implementation of rural development proposals and projects;
• Ability to communicate and engage effectively with high-level stakeholders including governments, private companies and civil society;
• Excellent communication skills - written, presentation and verbal;
• Knowledge of FSC certification;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Strong computer skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to interact culturally and diplomatically with diverse staff as part of a team and diverse partners ranging from community leader, businesses and government officials;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; and
• Ability to travel a minimum of 25% of the time.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package provided.

To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter and salary history. If emailing, use the following format in the subject line: first name and last name, job title of position you are applying for.

Human Resources
Rainforest Alliance
665 Broadway, Suite 500
New York, NY 10012

The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.