The Conservation Director Guatemala provides technical and program support to Conservancy field operations.  They serve as the principle contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community.  They establish the Conservancy as a major conservation partner within area of responsibility, define conservation priorities in the area of responsibility, lead and manage a team which supports and improves conservation efforts, and build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field.
The Conservation Director Guatemala develops key partnerships with public & private organizations in order to identify and resolve technical issues and to widely communicate solutions and best practices, develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools, and frameworks to address the natural system needs, and engages local community support for local conservation efforts.  They negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and other institutions to conserve and protect natural communities and develop and implement conservation strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Geographic size and scope is that of a larger, complex business unit and/or a program that requires Iconic Landscapes cross-boundary work and relationships.
• Supervises staff at remote locations particularly on Selva Maya and for the Mesoamerican Forest Bridge IP´s.
• Establishes and maintains optimal performance standards within budget.
• Writes requests for proposal (RFPs) for grant/contract funding for program.
• Frequently makes independently strategic decision based on analysis, ambiguous information and context.
• Negotiates complex agreements, in a political environment.
• May be responsible for leading or co-leading a whole system program.
• Frequent travel 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.

Strategic Planning, Communication and reporting

• Ensures the strategic alignment of conservation projects with the Shared Conservation Agenda in Guatemala and the Iconic Landscapes selva Maya and MFB.
• Prepares the annual conservation planning with conservation Guatemala Team.
• Update annual work plans and budgets with every leader of activity or projects.
• Provides input for maintaining aligned and strong communications and relationships with Regional Units and Global Units related.
• Structure key impact and key performance indicators for the conservation Team.
• Ensures conservation teams track and report project deliverables using those KPIs while using appropriate performance control systems (conservation and finance)
• Regularly reports to and keeps Guatemala Director updates with the progress and implementation (challenges, issues, others) of the Conservation Projects.
• Ensures that all conservation information is available in a timely manner on the TNC’s different platforms, such us the HUB and others.
• In alignment with the program leads and Marketing and Communication department, supports the development of communication, promotional and marketing materials in relation to projects objectives, accomplishments and other topics relevant to the projects.
• Represents TNC in conservation related events in alignment with internal guidelines and Executive Director.
• Provides a conservation scientific approach to guide decisions and plans to help nature and people thrive.
• Maintain relevant controls and feedback systems to monitor health and security of the conservation team.

Talent Management

• Be an inspirational leader that guides people with example following TNC’s Values and competencies.
• Understand and make TNC competencies a behavioral guide for him/herself and to lead the team.
• Recruit and hire staff following TNC procedures.
• Coach, mentor, and develop staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and supporting career development planning and opportunities.
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among the team allowing for disagreement over ideas, conflict and expeditious conflict resolution, and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, support, and working effectively together.
• Lead employees using TNC’s performance management and development process to encourage employee contribution and includes goal setting, feedback, and performance development planning.
• Maintain transparent communication. Appropriately communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email and regular interpersonal communication.

Financial Sustainability 

• Make business decisions that are financially responsible, accountable, justifiable, and defensible in accordance with organization policies and procedures.
• Make recommendations for modifications to the projects’ budgets
• Assume direct responsibility for managing the Conservation Projects budget by ensuring:
  • Project funds are disbursed properly
  • Expenditure in accordance with the work plans and donor agreements
  • Annual budget, proposal budgets and financial reports are developed and worked in close coordination with the finance department
  • Financial procedures/regulations are properly applied in different projects and activities
• Establish and maintain relevant controls and feedback systems to monitor the execution and operation of conservation strategies and budgets.

Administrative 

• Review and ensure that employees are complying with legal laws and TNC processes in term of vacations, sick leaves, paid time off, absenteeism, and time reporting.
• Review Labor Distribution Report monthly. Assure changes are reported in an appropriate time frame.

Fundraising and Donor Cultivation

• Carry out the revenue plan and revenue strategy developed by Guatemala BU Director, Finance and Development teams
• Leads and coordinates the conservation team in alignment with the development team in preparing public and private financing proposals
• Engages with key private and public donors as appropriate to the donor strategy.