Position summary:The Regenerative Agriculture Field Implementation Senior Associate for MesoAmerica will report to the Senior Director of Mesoamerica and matrixed reporting lines to the Global Program Unit including the Strategy Lead, Regenerative Agriculture and Lead Scientist, Regenerative Agriculture. This person will support setting strategic objectives of the Rainforest Alliance Regenerative Agriculture’s strategy, with a strong focus on implementation of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) programs and Pesticide use reduction, and safe and efficient use of pesticides.

Being the Regenerative Agriculture Field Implementation Senior Associate at the Rainforest Alliance means to:

Provide dynamic and creative leadership and coordination for the development and implementation of the field implementation part of Rainforest Alliance’s Regenerative Agriculture strategy, with particular focus on promoting IPM adoption, and a safe, responsible and efficient use of pesticides;
Support the implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard of Rainforest Alliance, in particular the chapters that deal with IPM and pesticide use (and related documents), and the new upcoming offerings regarding regen ag, tools, training and guidance documents;
Support the implementation of field programs and projects related to Regen ag and pesticides use with producers and farming communities;
Be responsible for coordinating field assessments, training M&E partners, facilitating the development of results-based claims, and identifying areas of performance improvement related to regenerative agriculture practices in the field.
Co-lead and support in execution of innovative program, project, and proposal design and development of interventions within these areas of expertise, including cultivation and support for key partner, company and donor relationships;
Work effectively with other theme leads and technical staff across the organization as well as externally to advance Rainforest Alliance’s Regen ag strategy and particularly on the area of IPM implementation and pesticide use reduction.

Other Responsibilities:

Together with the team of Agricultural transformation (Forest & Ag Unit, Global Programs), co-lead the creation of technical guidelines and manuals on regenerative agriculture, with support from other Rainforest Alliance field technical experts
With support from other technical experts within the organization, be the internal and external point of contact for technical topics on pesticides, including integrated pest management, and non-chemical and chemical alternatives. In the case of pesticides, this includes leading and navigating difficult political discussions regarding pesticide topics, often with the agrochemical industry and producer groups
Support the regions and colleagues from Assurance with questions and advice related to pesticide use and implementation of IPM programs
Coordinate with Rainforest Alliance field teams to synthesize, report, and support their activities
Support training of field-based colleagues globally on technical content and evaluation methods around regen ag, with strong focus on pesticide use and IPM
Together with the regen ag strategy steer co, support in analysing field results and identify potential results-based claims
Advise company and supply chain actors on incentives and techniques to improve sustainability performance from their sourcing regions

We look for a professional with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Our ideal candidate has a strong team-based orientation but is capable to excel under minimal supervision. His or her excellent interpersonal skills come with the ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals. Project management is an important part of the job, which means that strong organizational skills and efficient management of multiple tasks and priorities are needed.

Qualifications:

Degree in agronomy, agronomic engineering or related subject matter
Minimum of 5 years hands on field experience in Regenerative Agriculture related topics and pesticide use related work, preferably with experience in the Global South;
Knowledge of certification programs in the context of sustainable use of pesticides and good agricultural practices;
Experience in the sustainable production of at least one of Rainforest Alliance focus crops (cocoa, coffee, tea, banana);
Fluency in English, both verbal and written.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.

Job level: 4A

Deadline: 15 March 2024

Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in Guatemala, México, Honduras or Costa Rica will be considered.

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org

WHO WE ARE:

The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. To achieve our mission, we partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in many of our most critically important natural landscapes.

Our alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together we work to protect forests and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

As an international nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience in sustainability transformation, we understand that the social and economic well-being of rural communities is tightly connected to ecosystem health. This knowledge has shaped our rigorous programs to advance sustainable land-use and commodity production.

At the Rainforest Alliance we combat climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods. The enormity of the social and environmental challenges we are facing requires working together in a broad alliance. This is why we bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes.

Why
To protect nature and improve lives it’s becoming increasingly urgent that we approach the way we use our land and produce food and other products in more sustainable ways. For this to succeed we need to fundamentally change the way that businesses operate and source, and the choices we all make as consumers.

How
Our growing global alliance aims to transform our relationship with our natural resources and each other, to create a better future for people and nature together.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability, and any other protected group.

Regenerative Agriculture Field Implementation, Senior Associate