South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Job summary:

As a Regional Manager, NBS, Climate Projects - Latam, you will perform and/or coordinate the supervision to the design and implementation of projects related to sustainable forest management. You will report directly to the Regional Senior Manager, Technical, NBS, Climate Projects - Latam.

You will give technical support as a thematic expert to Nature Based Solutions (NBS) projects developed by the Latam regional team, from the pre-feasibility stage to their successful closure. You will be responsible for the technical guidance, accompaniment of Project Partners for implementation, assessment, and follow-up and monitoring of projects related to forest management, such as Afforestation/Reforestation (ARR) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) that increase carbon sequestration and/or reduce GHG emissions on forest lands managed for wood products.

Additionally, you will support and develop procedures and guidelines to standardise regional processes under the projects and South Pole’s global standards to develop high-quality and cost-effective carbon and biodiversity projects.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

• Your primary responsibility will be to lead and supervise the activities related to the implementation of ARR projects in Latin America. These projects, developed with private reforestation companies and land owners, require your expertise from the design to the post-verification phase. You will guide the implementation of ARR and IFM activities and oversee the monitoring processes aligned with the validated project design plans.

Project Management and Quality Assurance (60%)

• Develop and coordinate the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of project activities related to forestry activities within NBS projects, in accordance with assigned projects and applicable standards.

• Support the evaluation of partner project capacities for implementing forest management activities (planting, pruning, thinning, harvesting and marketing, among others), while generating additionality and permanence alerts based on identified risks assessment.

• Design the activities related to forest management based on collaborative problem assessment, available resources, project’s timeline and partners agreements using different approaches like Theory of Change and Logic Frame, as part of structuring projects under methodological standards requirements.

• Design and execute the monitoring plan for evaluating the effectiveness of forest management activities and the project efficiency according to the project objectives.

• Develop the necessary documents in accordance with the certification standards, Project Manager requirements and other stakeholders, aligned with the team’s implementation scope.

• Prepare or support the construction and evaluation of budgets and financial analysis for the execution of project activities within mitigation initiatives and/or biodiversity projects related to forest management.

• Support the contracting process and monitoring by third parties in the implementation of South Pole project activities related to forest management, from planting and harvesting to marketing wood products, giving technical guidance.

• Generate cost-efficiency analysis for forest management activities, for the planning and execution of implementation activities along sustained timber production while also considering ecological, economic, and social factors.

• Support the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines to standardise processes across the region and within the NBS Implementation team, in line with project and South Pole quality criteria.

• Lead and manage the activities assigned in the implementation projects, acting in an interdisciplinary and cooperative manner with team members and other employees of the company.

Business Development and Operational Integration (30%)

• Overseeing and leading the project screening and Due Diligence processes during the pre-Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) technical assessments for ARR and IFM opportunities.

• Encourage and implement continuous improvement initiatives within the Due Diligence and project screening processes. Proactively respond to changes in business lines, adjusting processes and priorities.

• Engage with key internal and external stakeholders, providing regular updates and reports on project progress, financial status, and risk management during the Due Diligence stage. To support project objectives and organisational goals, foster strong relationships with project teams, commercial partners, and external entities.

• Coordinate and facilitate effective communication between the NBS Technical team and the Corporate Portfolios team to ensure strategic and operational alignment of projects, and guarantee that major updates, changes in projects, and strategic decisions are communicated efficiently and effectively, promoting strong collaboration and the achievement of the organization's common goals.

• Play a critical role in facilitating transparent communication regarding project quality across various stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for the NBS initiatives.

• Lead the development and dissemination of educational and training materials to enhance the regional team's proficiency and effectiveness in applying the new PQA/DD processes.

• Be open to visiting project sites as necessary.

Project Performance Optimization and Accountability (15%)

• Review and validate financial proposals and contracts, in collaboration with the legal and financial team.

• Coordinate the consolidation and updating of the projects’ cash flow to optimize resources.

• Supervise the preparation and sending of terms of reference for key hirings, ensuring they align with the objectives of the ARR and/or IFM project.

• Coordinate the labour linkage of teams in the field and prepare relevant training for implementation.

• Prepare and present project progress reports and results to key stakeholders.

• Facilitate collaboration and coordination between the project team, local communities, and other stakeholders to ensure effective stakeholder engagement, local ownership, and the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.

• Monitor and evaluate projects' social sustainability impacts, using defined metrics and indicators to assess progress towards social goals and adapt strategies as necessary to enhance project effectiveness and impact.

Strategic Networking and Engagement (5%)

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including local communities, governmental entities, and other project partners.

• Participate in relevant events and forums to promote the project's interests and foster strategic alliances.

• When required, cultivate a network of projects, external partners, clients, companies, standards, methodology developers, investors, businesses, and communities engaged in the field of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), adhering to both compliance and voluntary schemes in the region.

• When required, engage in business rounds, technical sessions, site visits, and other pertinent events to actively participate and stay informed.

Requirements:

Essential -

• University Degree in forestry / environmental sciences or related fields.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in reforestation or improved forest management projects focusing on project implementation and socio-environmental development.

• Relevant and certified specific experience (more than 3 years) related to design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of commercial forest management and/or woodland management. Knowledge on yield statistical modelling and monitoring is a plus.

• Relevant and certified experience working on large-scale commercial forests implementing silvicultural systems, working plan areas, sustained yield, harvesting operations, forest design and marketing.

• Relevant and certified experience working with landowners, forestry companies, forestry authorities and other actors related to forests and wood trade.

• Knowledge of normative context and governance of the LatAm Forestry Sector and forest management certifications, such as FSC.

• Knowledge and experience in forest management, timber sales and forestry valuations.

• Strong understanding of social and environmental safeguards, principles, and methodologies related to sustainable development projects.

• Results-driven team management abilities and talent development and retention experience.

• Business-quality communication skills (verbal and written) in both English and Spanish.

• The capacity to solve relatively complex project-related problems independently and receive general direction on new assignments or projects.

• Ability to manage targets and priorities and develop own goals.

• National or holder of a valid work visa in the country of application.

Desirable -

• Ability to design, develop, and implement strategies to fulfill the company’s regional targets on NBS and capacity to communicate and execute them.

• Ability to work under little supervision on diverse assignments, apply company policies, processes, and procedures, and identify critical routes to resolve various issues/problems on time.

• Ability to create high-quality written documents (proposals and deliverables) in English and Spanish and quality control for others.

• Experience building a talented and high-performing team, providing supportive mentoring and empowerment to develop and retain talent at different levels.

• Ability to manage targets and priorities and develop own goals.

• Basic to advanced Portuguese (spoken and written) is a plus.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation. 

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.