Overview

Wildlife Works is the world’s leading REDD+ Project development and management company with an innovative, market-based approach to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Over its 20+ year history, Wildlife Works established a successful model that uses the emerging carbon offset marketplace to protect threatened forests and wildlife, while funding indigenous and forest-dwelling communities. REDD+ allows us to partner with communities from tropical forest countries to monetize their forest and biodiversity assets, whether they are communities, land ownership groups or governments. Wildlife Works manages a portfolio of current and prospective REDD+ projects throughout the tropics and is growing to meet market demand and interest in our innovative approach.

The Brasil Country Director will be Wildlife Works Carbon senior representative and principal manager responsible for sourcing new projects, for the establishment of our Brasil subsidiary operation, and day-to-day office and business operations in-country. The Country Director will be responsible for sourcing and development of new REDD+ forest carbon projects, particularly in the early years of the position. Over time, more of his/her effort will be directed towards ensuring consistent and effective management of all REDD+ projects in Brasil and their related activities, staff and operations for Wildlife Works Carbon. At a time of rapid growth for the company and of the voluntary market globally, this role is critical in strategically advancing conversations within relevant expert and political stakeholders to help build a favorable investment environment for WWC’s community-centered forest conservation projects. This role will report to the Latin America Director and will hold functional lines to supporting corporate departments such the Carbon Development department, Policy and External Affairs Department and the Global Conservation Director.

The Brasil Country Director will play a key role in establishing our international REDD+ models that halt deforestation, and produce carbon credits and revenue sharing for forest communities that agree to protect their traditional forests. Ideal candidates may have political and policy experience, and/or a track record of working with government. The position also oversees revenue-sharing arrangements through community stakeholder agreements that typically invest carbon revenues in community priorities such as education, healthcare, and alternative livelihood development, as well as forest protection efforts and biodiversity monitoring. The Country Director works closely with the Director of Latin America to ensure that the organization’s vision to create localized low carbon rural economies in forest dependent communities is implemented on the ground. S/he works to build and manage the team necessary to accomplish the company’s goals and objectives while coordinating as needed with other private-sector REDD+ actors, non-profits, international agencies, Brasilian State governments, the Government of Brasil, and others. This work is carried out in coordination with the Director for Latin America, the Global Policy and External Affairs Director, and other Wildlife Works global functions and expertise as appropriate.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Project Sourcing Responsibilities:

The Brasil Country Director plays a leading role in the search for new REDD+ projects and in the attainment of definitive Project Agreements with the communities and owners of the project territories. Key functions include, but are not limited to:

  • Identify potential REDD+ projects using a combination of technical tools, field visits, and conversations with communities, businesses, and the government. In Brasil, most of this work is carried out together with an international NGO partner with longstanding involvement with indigenous groups in forested areas of the country.
  • Play a leading role in the coordination of efforts to prepare project feasibility and due diligence analyses, as well as REDD+ project design and description documents.
  • Carry out Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) processes with communities.
  • Play a leading role, together with their team at WW Brasil, the NGO partners, and WW Latin America in terms of negotiations towards the attainment of REDD+ project agreements. Interact with various entities, arrange financial administration and contracting, and other key responsibilities necessary to structure a successful REDD+ project from the start.

Project Management Responsibilities:

  • Works closely with the Director of Latin America to supervise all project personnel and staff to ensure consistent and effective project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and budget tracking.
  • Responsible at a country level for attaining and maintaining positive long-term relationships with local communities and other stakeholders.
  • Reports weekly to the Director of Latin America with project and operations updates.
  • Forges and maintains strong relationships with local, state and federal government representatives, as needed, as well as other international and national companies; expands outreach through relevant meetings, workshops, and conferences, in coordination with the Global Policy and External Affairs Director.
  • Represents Wildlife Works Carbon and increases knowledge about Wildlife Works Carbon’s activities locally and abroad, may require travel as needed for presentations, Board Meetings, events, etc.
  • Oversees and reviews all project material prior to sending for review by the Director of Latin America.
  • Manages the calendar for project/operational activities in Brasil including; project activities, validations, verifications, client trips, vacation schedules for staff etc.
  • Lead the Brasil team’s annual strategic planning process to include all staff, partner, and government input.

Operations Management Responsibilities:

  • Assists in recruitment/hiring of all staff members and acts as their direct manager.
  • Hires all in-country Brasilian staff and ensures they are properly trained and managed. Works with the future HR Director in conducting goal planning and reviews for staff, and working towards staff development and growth.
  • Oversees all payments and payroll for local staff and program expenses.
  • Oversees all Accounting and Human Resources, ensuring that Wildlife Works Carbon procedures are respected.
  • Meets with key staff members, on a regular basis, for updates and planning.
  • Approves in-country financial transactions (checks, wire transfers, cashier checks) and reviews weekly accounting.
  • Tracks all Human Resources forms & maintains a strong relationship with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
  • Oversees all operations and maintenance of Wildlife Works Carbon assets including but not limited to: Office, Storage, Vehicles, etc.
  • Stays informed on security issues and other relevant news happenings in Brasil.
  • All other issues, which might arise in the course of carrying out Wildlife Works Carbon’s mission.

Business Development Responsibilities:

  • Interacts with current and potential partners and clients.
  • Participates in all visitor trips and provides support to project visits, translations and hosting.
  • Looks for additional sales or project development funding opportunities that may become available locally or internationally to best support the company’s projects.
  • Contribute content for development related materials included

Requirements

  • A Bachelors degree in Business, Biology, Conservation, Ecology, Forestry, Rural Development or related field. Masters Degree preferred, with a focus on International Development/Non-profit or Business Management.
  • At least ten years of experience in a senior management, and administrative position managing large multi-sectoral teams.
  • Technical expertise in Education, Healthcare and/or Economic Development.
  • Understanding of forest and environmental policy and regulatory context in Brasil, familiarity with carbon pricing regimes and experience in the Brasilian carbon market preferred.
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in program and budget development, management, accounting, and administration.
  • Personal commitment to the mission, vision and core values of Wildlife Works Carbon and ability to lead and create a work environment reflected by those.
  • Fluent in English and Portuguese (reading, writing, speaking, translations). Fluency in Spanish very highly desired.
  • Excellent oral, written, and public communication skills.
  • Advanced computer skills in Google Tools, Microsoft Office Suite and Cloud-based software programs. Basic or advanced capabilities in Geographic Information Systems are considered a significant plus.
  • Ability to forge a mutually respectful and productive partnership with existing relevant government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups in Brasil.
  • Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude and pleasant demeanor.
  • Maintains the highest level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
  • Applicants must be capable of meeting all physical responsibilities, including but not limited to walking distances over 10 kilometers at various elevations, and lifting at least 30 lbs over the shoulders.
  • Ability to travel between Brasil and the United States and within the region as needed.