Manager, Climate Change Initiative

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

Based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers.

The goal of the RA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) is to conserve biodiversity and enhance livelihoods through supporting sustainable land management practices to mitigate climate change. The CCI is cross-divisional, involving activities of the Sustainable Forestry, Agriculture and Tourism Divisions of the RA. The two principal foci are carbon forestry offset projects and sustainable production of commodity crops for biofuels. The CCI works with a wide range of stakeholders, from small producers to large corporations to governments.

Position Summary:

The CCI Manager will provide dynamic and creative leadership and coordination for the implementation of all RA CCI activities worldwide. S/he will be responsible for representing the CCI and providing guidance and support to RA divisions with the objective of advancing RA efforts to work with producers, companies and individuals on credible initiatives to fight climate change. The essential duties and responsibilities outlined below are part of a phased approach, initially focused primarily on payments for ecosystem services and carbon offsets in particular. S/he will supervise the CCI Technical Specialist.

Responsibilities:

* Promote certification and sustainable land management best practices in the climate change context by leading CCI strategy and coordinating climate change and biofuels related activities of RA divisions;
* Enhance the capacity of communities and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to meaningfully participate in economically viable and credible sustainable carbon forestry, agroforestry and biofuel production activities;
* Increase the sustainability of RA operations by managing the organization's commitment to sustainable business operations;
* Develop, manage and monitor a strategic plan for CCI activities with specific annual plans and budgets, and activity-specific plans and budgets for individual climate change program activities;
* Help identify strategic opportunities and coordinate project development in response to new opportunities;
* Develop and maintain functional partnerships with NGOs, governments and other stakeholders;
* Through effective and efficient planning and coordination, ensure that climate change program activities complement related initiatives by other organizations;
* Develop strategies with Executive Director and Division directors (including Development) for long-term financial stability of the CCI;
* Review and monitor CCI progress reports and monthly budget reports; 
* Represent the CCI/RA at key events, presentations, policy forums and round tables and communicate program achievements; promote the value of investments in credible carbon forest offsets and sustainably produced biofuels to key producer and consumer enterprises; 
* Direct the development of communications marketing materials;
* Provide oversight and guide forestry, agriculture and tourism staff in credible climate change-related activities, including input into project development and technical improvements; 
* Contribute climate-related expertise to development of RA standards for commodities crops that can be used as biofuels; 
* Supervise staff, and monitor consultants and collaborating institutions; 
* Ensure timeliness of donor reports and proposals; and 
* Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications: 

* MBA, MS, or MA required; foci in natural resources management and climate change preferred;
* Minimum of five years experience in natural resource management with forestry experience, and at least three years involvement with carbon projects; 
* Technical understanding of forest carbon and sustainable biofuel production issues; 
* Strong computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and demonstrated experience in accounting software; 
* Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills; 
* Written and verbal proficiency in Spanish preferred; knowledge of Portuguese a plus;
* Program/project management skills (e.g. planning, fundraising, budgeting, management, evaluation) and attention to detail; 
* Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities in a time sensitive manner;
* Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills with ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals;
* Experience with bilateral and multilateral donors; and
* Ability to travel a minimum of 30% per year, nationally and internationally.

Salary: Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package provided.

To Apply:

Email, fax or mail resume, cover letter and salary history.

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