TNC seeks an Indigenous Enterprises Manager for an anticipated $18 million project entitled “Amazonian Indigenous Rights and Resources (AIRR)” funded by the South America Regional Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID/SAR). The purpose of this five-year project will be to improve representation of indigenous peoples in the sustainable economic development of the Amazon, while conserving biodiversity and reducing emissions from forest loss. This will be achieved through two objectives: 1) indigenous rights and economic interests incorporated into private and public sector development planning; and 2) indigenous enterprises equitably and sustainably scaled to regional and global markets. AIRR will be a regional activity as part of USAID/SAR’s Amazon Regional Environment Program (AREP), implemented across the Amazon region in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Suriname and Guyana. AIRR is focused on capacity strengthening and skills building for indigenous groups including activities with the private sector, governments and the civil society (including academia), in raising awareness on indigenous people’s rights and responsibilities and management of indigenous enterprises, especially in those communities facing planned large-scale development projects. Final hiring of this position will be contingent upon success of proposal.
The Indigenous Enterprises Manager will provide technical leadership on the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project to ensure: marketable goods and services are sustainably produced by indigenous enterprises; and indigenous enterprises are integrated into sustainable value chains and market systems. Regarding the production of goods and services by indigenous enterprises, s/he shall lead: the application of improved organization-level technologies or management practices in product development; the increase in product quality and quantity to meet demands of new markets and buyers; and exploration of regional consolidation of indigenous products to maximize marketing potential from niche Amazon products. Regarding the integration of indigenous enterprises into sustainable value chains, s/he shall lead: the increase in national and/or international sales and revenues of sustainably produced goods and services by indigenous enterprises through market integration; and the increase of temporary and permanent indigenous jobs and incomes as a result of market integration. S/he shall be responsible for overseeing all activities related to prioritizing, planning, implementing, monitoring, scaling up and ensuring long-term sustainability of the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project, implemented by TNC staff, partner institutions, and local service providers.
The AIRR Indigenous Enterprises Lead will be located in Peru, Colombia, or Brazil.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Provides technical leadership on the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project to ensure: marketable goods and services and sustainably produced by indigenous enterprises; and indigenous enterprises are integrated into sustainable value chains.
- Oversees all technical activities related to prioritizing, planning, implementing, monitoring, scaling up, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project.
- Coordinates project activities with USAID, project implementers, host country governments, private sector, and indigenous organizations for the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project.
- Coordinates program activities with implementers of other projects under USAID’s Amazon Regional Environmental Program, with USAID, and with relevant projects of other donors.
- Supervises activities by TNC staff and partners in multiple countries
- Manages daily financial and technical operation for the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project according to Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, coordinating with staff in and implementing partners in project countries.
- Assists strategy development and project leadership within budget, consistent with TNC’s Mission and Values.
- Coordinates annual planning and development of workplans of the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project.
- Oversees technical and financial reporting to USAID for the Indigenous Enterprises component of the project.
- Frequently travels domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 7 years’ experience in creating and improving community-level enterprises, improving product quality and quantity, bringing goods and services to markets via value-chain integration and regional consolidation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proven leadership and organizational skills, successfully managing and coordinating large, complex, and disparate teams.
- English fluency; professional proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese.
- Established success implementing activities in Latin America.
- Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
- Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies.
- Strong interpersonal communication and teamwork skills.
- Experience negotiating.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A Master’s degree and 10 years’ experience in economics, business administration, natural resource management, environmental management, ecology, environmental science, or other relevant field, or a combination of relevant academic backgrounds between undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Market development experience with indigenous communities of the Amazon Basin is very highly desired.
- Experience working with international development donors.
- Fluency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Multi-cultural experience involving government agencies, private sector, and indigenous populations in multiple countries.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in indigenous issues, conservation, and development in Latin America.
- Ability to develop practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Prior experience managing programs specifically in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Surinam, Guyana, and/or Ecuador – preferably multiple countries.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.