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Title

Vice President, Sustainable Agriculture Division

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources
Location New York - America North
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 31/03/2011
Company Name Rainforest Alliance
Contact Name Michael Wills
Email mwills@oxfordhr.co.uk
Website Further Details / Applications
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Description

The Rainforest Alliance 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.

Under the auspices of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), an international coalition of leading conservation groups, the Rainforest Alliance's Sustainable Agriculture program works with farmers to ensure compliance with the SAN standards for protecting wildlife, wild lands, workers' rights and local communities. Farms that meet these rigorous environmental, ethical and economic standards are awarded the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal. The SAN standards are applied by producers of major commodity crops (including bananas, pineapple, coffee, cocoa, tea, citrus and flowers) that profoundly affect the economies, environments, cultures and politics of tropical countries. Today more than 60,000 farms in 26 countries are certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified products are widely available in mainstream markets.

Position Summary: 

The Vice President will support and guide the development and enhancement of a visionary, global and collaborative program that is inventing and implementing innovative ways to integrate equity, conservation and sustainable development in the agroscape. S/he will lead a senior-level management team in the areas of: Sustainable Landscapes (producer support activities and field projects), Sustainable Value Chains (market linkages and positioning), and Sustainable Agriculture Auditing Services. S/he will also liaison closely with the Sustainable Agriculture Network Secretariat. S/he will be expected to grow the program's grant-supported projects through conceptualization of new activities, fundraising and demonstrating positive impact, as well as assist in the development of a long-term business model for fee and licensing related revenues.

Responsibilities: 
  • Overall responsibility for the strategic direction and financial and administrative management of the division, in coordination with Sustainable Agriculture Division managers and directors, President, Vice President for Programs, SAN Director, Rainforest Alliance Chief of Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture Network members;
  • Oversee strategy development for alliance building, credibility assurance, private-sector partnerships, stakeholder outreach, and market development with the managers of those divisions, the SAN, and other Rainforest Alliance divisions, especially Communications, Marketing and Education;
  • Represent program to external stakeholders and together with the Chief of Agriculture, raise the profile of the program in the food industry, from producers to retailers and within the conservation, social justice and equitable trade communities;
  • In collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance Development Division and Sustainable Agriculture Division managers, lead the creation and implementation of a long term financial strategy, including fundraising and revenue generation Manage a complex and growing budget;
  • Advance division plans for revenue generation through fee for service activities. Develop detailed plans with Sustainable Agriculture Division managers and ensure implementation;
  • Ensure the continual improvement of the operational systems to maintain the highest standards and credibility;
  • Guide the annual and long-range planning process for the division in sync with other Rainforest Alliance programs;
  • Provide input into Rainforest Alliance-wide policy and program development; and
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: 
  • Master of Business Administration and/or Master of Science in conservation biology, agronomy, rural development, resource management, resource economics or related field;
  • Minimum 10 - 12 years field experience in international conservation and project management;
  • Demonstrated experience in program development and personnel and budget management;
  • Experience in business building, market-based conservation, change-management, multilateral funding, and certification preferred;
  • Proven ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations and with a wide range of people with diverse economic, political and professional backgrounds in both public and private sectors;
  • Knowledge of the socio-environmental impacts of agriculture on tropical communities, ecosystems and local economies;
  • Excellent communications skills in English/Spanish; French language skills a plus;
  • Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office and Internet); and
  • Ability to travel internationally at least 25 percent of the time.
Salary: 

Commensurate with experience.

Application: 

For further information and to apply for this position, please contact the Rainforest Alliance's international search consultant: Michael Wills of Oxford HR -- mwills@oxfordhr.co.uk

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