The Sr. Associate Sustainable Landscapes will be responsible of activities related to the Rainforest Alliance-led initiative to Apply the LandScale Assessment Framework in México, and related grants and field initiatives implemented for local partners. S/he will coordinate and support bi-weekly, quarterly and annual reporting processes and manage and maintain-up-to-date the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP), and other related documents and protocols required by USAID and donnors. S/he will provide day-to-day advisory, monitoring, problem solving and quality control to ensure timely and high-quality activity implementation and burn rate. S/he will supervise staff; coordinate daily with partners, external stakeholders and other internal RA units in Mexico and globally; and frequently represent the Rainforest Alliance in external meetings and public forums.

This position will report the performance in a daily basis to the Sustainable Landscapes Manager and will be the focal point with partners and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Management

• Deliver effective and impactful implementation of RA Mexico’s activities, by fostering a culture of business and project management excellence, and by providing day-to-day oversight of the activities of the implementation of the landscape standard in the field and related initiatives;
• Support staff and partners, and ensure planned objectives are achieved and in line with budgets and related policies;
• Ensure preparation of progress reports per donor and Rainforest Alliance requirements;
• Manage, give advice, strategic planning with local partners directly in the field in the region in where the LandScale initiative will be implemented;
• Lead the design, management and monitoring of the Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan; Performance Monitoring and Learning Plan;
• Coordinate periodic internal working sessions, planning workshops, events, and other communications spaces with project partners to ensure effective learning, information sharing, and planning of Landscape Standard activities;
• Support supervisor in the development of quality control processes to ensure the quality and integrity of content of reports, including budget management, evidences submitted to donors, accuracy of communications materials, and quality of technical work products;
• Coordinate advisory, monitoring, budgeting and quality control to sub-grantees;
• Ensure effective cross-functional coordination within other Rainforest Alliance departments in Mexico, the Latin America region, and globally (i.e. Markets; Global Programs; Standards & Assurance; Regions; Finance; Accounting; Legal; etc) to maximize the impact and success of planned activities;
• Ensure effective communications with the broader organization.

Advocacy & External Engagement

• Support the Sustainable Landscapes Manager to manage stakeholder relationships effectively, including coordination of LandScale Jalisco Working Group, the LandScale Local Committee and/or another multi-stakeholder groups;
• Develop and maintain functional partnerships with key partners, platforms, NGOs, governments, certification bodies and other stakeholders; and further build the reputation and credibility of the Rainforest Alliance and market-based conservation approaches;
• Proactively identify and cultivate a network of partnerships with potential users of LandScale (companies, government agencies, donors, community businesses and civil society);
• Advance results-based partnerships required to achieve targets;
• Represent Rainforest Alliance at key events, presentations, policy forums and roundtables and communicate program achievements

Technical

• Support supervisor in the identification of the best landscape to pilot the standard within the states of Jalisco and Chiapas;
• Establish a local landscape advisory committee integrated by producer associations, companies, NGO´s, national and subnational governments and others as required;
• Organize and analyze land use data and policy context of the selected landscape;
• Complete baseline assessment using Landscape Standard;
• Provide technical assistance to improve land-management;
• Convene landscape learning exchanges
• Support public-private green investments mechanisms;
• Secure long-term financing for Landscape Standard action plan; and
• Disseminate Landscape Standard in Mexico.

Supervisory responsibilities

This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. This position also will assist with the execution of the project’s performance monitoring and evaluation plan with local. This position may oversee consultants and ensure coordination with RA global team.