Regional Senior Manager, NBS Project Sustainability, LATAM

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.

Our Project Development team is at the forefront of developing and managing climate mitigation activities. By working closely with project owners and developers as well as their local communities, we manage the complete registration, verification and evaluation of carbon projects to enable the issuance of emission-reduction certificates, in line with official carbon standards. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you!

Job summary:

As a Regional Senior Manager, NBS Project Sustainability in Latin America, you will play a pivotal role in guiding project management and quality assurance, assisting Project Managers in crafting detailed theories of change and implementation plans, evaluating project outcomes, providing expert technical support for project design, implementation and monitoring, and ensuring projects adhere to best practices and quality standards.

You will support the NBS Regional team for financial, social and technical sustainability topics and be accountable for Project Partners supervision and assistance to ensure medium/long-term project implementation and benefits. 

The role also encompasses managing relationships with local contractors, supporting financial oversight, and enhancing stakeholder engagement in line with the organization's methodologies. 

On the project performance optimization and accountability front, you will lead the development of streamlined processes and systems for sustainable project management, spearheading financial sustainability strategies, and enhancing transparency through improved technical reporting systems. 

This will include regular evaluation of project workflows and the application of lean principles to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. 

Leadership and team management form another vital component of the role, focused on mentoring and guiding the NBS Sustainability team, ensuring talent development, and fostering an environment that supports retention and succession planning. Additionally, business development and operational integration are central to this position, involving oversight of project screening, Due Diligence, and strategic alignment with business objectives. 

The role also demands strategic networking and engagement with key stakeholders in the NBS field to foster partnerships and stay ahead of industry trends. 

Main tasks & responsibilities:

Directly reporting to the Regional Head of Nature-based Solutions in LATAM, your core responsibility will be to oversee project sustainability quality assurance across financial, social, and technical domains. This includes supporting project planning and execution, supervising project partners, and ensuring adherence to best practices and standards in terms of on-the-ground implementation and monitoring & evaluation. 

Project Management and Quality Assurance (30%) 

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• Assist Project Managers in formulating comprehensive theories of change and detailed, long-term implementation plans, facilitating NBS and biodiversity project coherence and vision alignment. 
  
• Conduct periodic evaluations to assess NBS and biodiversity projects outcomes against the theory of change and long-term implementation workplans. 
  
• Utilize findings to refine project strategies, and contribute to the organization's knowledge base on effective project implementation. 
  
• Provide technical support for NBS and biodiversity project activities at offering expertise and assistance to ensure the successful implementation of project activities, addressing technical challenges as they arise. 
  
• Support the monitoring of NBS and biodiversity project implementation progress, ensuring timely completion and adherence to standards and evaluating the project's advancement towards its goals, using defined metrics and milestones Coordinate with NBS and biodiversity projects local focal points, acting as a liaison between the South Pole project team and local stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and collaboration. 
  
• Lead the RFP process to meticulously identify and engage local contractors adept in supporting the monitoring and evaluation, and/or the implementation of NBS and biodiversity project activities. 
  
• Manage local subcontractors efficiently, ensuring they achieve NBS and biodiversity project milestones and deliverables within set timelines and quality standards. Conduct site visits and regularly visit NBS and biodiversity project sites to monitor progress, engage with local teams, and provide on-the-ground support. 
  
• Support Project Managers on projects financial follow-up at regularly reviewing project expenditures against the budget, making adjustments as necessary to ensure financial health. 
  
• Support Project Managers to ensure stakeholders are actively engaged and informed about project progress and any changes in plans according to the internal Stakeholder Engagement and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) methodological route. 
  
• Support Project Managers on continuously monitor and address potential risks to the project, adjusting the risk management plan as needed. 
  
• Spot and address any issues hindering project progress, implementing solutions to overcome obstacles. 
  
• Support Project Managers on evaluating and adjusting the project's financial and operational plans based on performance and external factors. 
  

Project Performance Optimization and Accountability (20%) 

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• Lead the creation and refinement of processes, procedures, and systems crucial for the effective and uniform management of financial, social and technical project sustainability aspects. 
  
• Provide support to the NBS Technical team by enhancing operational efficiency and promoting consistent standards of excellence. 
  
• Spearhead the financial sustainability strategy for NBS and biodiversity projects, ensuring strategic alignment with broader organisational targets, regional profit objectives, and project goals. 
  
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by regularly evaluating project workflows, methodologies, and tools. 
  
• Apply lean principles and methodologies to streamline processes, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency in project implementation tracking. 
  
• Enhance reporting systems to ensure high levels of transparency and accountability in project implementation. 
  
• Develop comprehensive reporting templates and dashboards that provide real-time insights into project performance, enabling informed decision-making. 
  
• Design and implement a stakeholder engagement methodological route that promotes transparency, accountability, and continuous feedback. 
  
• Regularly communicate project progress, challenges, and successes to all stakeholders, including local communities, implementing partners, and funders 
  

Team Leadership and Management (15%) 

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• Support NBS Technical Head on planning and managing the team's headcount structure, ensuring alignment with project needs and strategic objectives. 
  
• Develop and implement strategies for the attraction, development, and retention of talent. 
  
• Oversee the mentoring and development of a team of professionals responsible for project screening, Due Diligence, and quality review processes. 
  
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and effective guidance to the NBS technical team in the region to ensure high-quality and timely project cycle activities while securing talent development and retention. 
  
• Support NBS Technical Head on leading the recruitment and performance review processes for the NBS Technical team. 
  
• Support NBS Technical Head on implementing strategies to maintain attrition within the company’s target range, including analysing trends, identifying potential retention issues, and implementing proactive measures to address them. 
  
• Develop and execute succession planning initiatives to ensure a diverse pool of candidates ready for leadership roles, aiming for direct reports to be succession-ready and representative of diverse backgrounds. 
  

Business Development and Operational Integration (30%) 

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• Assume primary responsibility for overseeing and leading the project screening and Due Diligence processes during the pre-Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) technical assessments. 
  
• Ensure that all projects align with organisational standards and strategic objectives, demonstrating a keen ability to identify risks and opportunities. 
  
• Employ adaptive management strategies for the Due Diligence process, including regular performance evaluations and strategic alignments with the NBS Commercial team. 
  
• Proactively respond to changes in business lines, adjusting processes and priorities. 
  
• Encourage and implement continuous improvement initiatives within the Due Diligence and project screening processes. 
  
• Stay abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and innovative practices to enhance project efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental impact. 
  
• 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. 
  
• Play a critical role in facilitating transparent communication regarding project quality across various stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for th eNBS and biodiversity 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. 
  

Strategic Networking and Engagement (5%) 

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• 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 -

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• University Degree in forestry, agriculture, biology, natural resource management, sustainability or climate change, and carbon mitigation-related fields. 
  
• Minimum 7-10 years of work experience in NBS projects for climate mitigation, natural resources conservation and management, forestry, sustainable agriculture or land management, conservation finance, or related fields. 
  
• Understanding of carbon finance essentials and carbon project development and certification, including familiarity with carbon standards like CDM, VERRA, GS4GG, CCBS, the CAR, among others. 
  
• Proven experience in leading numerous multi-disciplinary teams, and providing process-oriented and technical input to guide the work of others, providing expert-level guidance in the field of ALM, REDD+, ACoGS, ARR, and other NBS-related fields of work to ensure carbon and biodiversity assets are developed and implemented. 
  
• Relevant experience (+5 years) related to design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation, preferably in ecosystem services, restoration, sustainable productive systems or preservation-related fields. 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 -

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• Ability to design, develop and implement strategies to fulfil 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. 
  
• Understand and be sensitive to the social contexts, risks, and demands that can emerge in the context of carbon project development, particularly but not only REDD+ projects with indigenous communities. 
  
• 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.