Regional Senior Specialist, NBS Social 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 Specialist, NBS Social Sustainability, LATAM, you will support the social engagement components ofNature Based Solutions (NBS) projects throughout their lifecylce across the Latam region, focusing on risk minimization and value maximization through integrated team management.

In this role, you will contribute to project management and quality assurance, assisting in the execution of actions that foster high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable projects. Working closely with the Regional Manager for Stakeholder Engagement and the Social Sustainability team, you will engage with stakeholders to ensure effective governance and enhance the positive impacts of our investments. You will uphold environmental and social safeguard principles to promote transparency, equity, and integrity throughout each project's lifecycle.

Your responsibilities will also include supporting the NBS Regional team on social sustainability issues and risks identification and management,, aiding Project Partners in the implementation of projects for medium to long-term benefits, managing relationships with local contractors, and enhancing stakeholder engagement according to our methodologies.

Additionally, you will help develop and implement efficient processes for managing socially sustainable projects, enhance transparency with improved technical reporting, and regularly evaluate and refine project workflows to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

Reporting to the Regional Manager, NBS Social Sustainability, LATAM, your primary responsibility will be to support the implementation of quality assurance, and risk mitigation of social sustainability strategies across our NBS projects. This involves assisting with project planning and execution, supervising project partners, and ensuring compliance with our environmental and social safeguard principles, transparency, equity, and integrity throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, you will be responsible for evaluating opportunities and managing risks throughout the project cycle, including continuous monitoring and evaluation processes.

Project Management and Quality Assurance (35%)

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• Support the Regional Manager for Social Sustainability in providing technical expertise and assistance to ensure the successful implementation of NBS and biodiversity project activities, focusing on addressing social challenges and opportunities as they arise.
  
• Monitor and assess the progress of NBS and biodiversity projects' implementation progress through a social sustainability lens, ensuring alignment with organizational quality and risk standards and evaluating advancements towards social impact goals using defined metrics and milestones.
  
• Coordinate with local focal points and community representatives for NBS and biodiversity projects, serving as a liaison between the South Pole project team and local communities to facilitate clear communication, collaboration, and community engagement.
  
• Assist in the identification and engagement of local contractors with expertise in social sustainability to monitor, evaluate, and implementation NBS and biodiversity project activities.
  
• Support the efficient management of local subcontractors to ensure the achievement of social sustainability project milestones and deliverables within set timelines and quality standards.
  
• Participate in regular site visits to NBS and biodiversity project sites to monitor progress from a social sustainability perspective, engage with local teams and communities, and provide on-the-ground support.
  
• Assist Project Managers in stakeholder engagement efforts, ensuring the active and informed participation of local communities and other stakeholders according to the organization's social sustainability and FPIC methodological route.
  
• Contribute to the continuous monitoring and addressing of potential social risks to the project, assisting in adjusting the risk management plan as needed, and supporting the implementation of solutions to overcome obstacles hindering project progress.
  

Project Performance Optimization and Accountability (30%)

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• Assist in the refinement and development of processes, procedures, and systems critical for effective management of social sustainability within NBS and biodiversity projects, in alignment with South Pole's social sustainability strategy.
  
  
  
• Collaborate with the NBS Technical team to incorporate social sustainability considerations into project planning and execution, supporting operational efficiency and maintaining consistent standards of excellence.
  
  
  
• Contribute to the implementation of social sustainability strategies for NBS and biodiversity projects, ensuring alignment with broader organizational objectives and specific project social sustainability targets.
  
  
  
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by assessing project workflows, methodologies, and tools from a social sustainability perspective. Assist in applying lean principles to optimize processes, minimize waste, and enhance efficiency in project implementation tracking and management.
  
  
  
• Assist in enhancing reporting mechanisms to foster transparency and accountability in project execution. Contribute to the development of comprehensive reporting templates and dashboards that provide insights into project performance, emphasizing social sustainability metrics and outcomes.
  
  
  
• Participate in the design and execution of a stakeholder engagement methodological approach that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and ongoing feedback. Support in updating and engaging with stakeholders, including local communities, implementing partners, and funders, in accordance with the organization's social sustainability strategy.
  
  
  
• Facilitate collaboration and coordination between the project team, local communities, and other stakeholders to ensure meaningful stakeholder engagement, local ownership, and the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.
  
  
  
• Assist in monitoring and assessing the social sustainability impacts of projects using defined metrics and indicators, supporting the continuous evaluation of progress towards social goals and the adjustment of strategies as necessary to enhance project effectiveness and impact.
  

Business Development and Operational Integration (30%)

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• Assist in overseeing and supporting the project screening and Due Diligence processes, ensuring alignment with South Pole's social sustainability strategy and adherence to organizational standards and objectives.
  
• Apply adaptive management strategies within the Due Diligence process, participating in regular performance evaluations and collaborating with the NBS Commercial team to address risks and opportunities related to social sustainability.
  
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Due Diligence and project screening processes by staying abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and innovative social sustainability practices to enhance project efficiency, effectiveness, and social impact.
  
• Engage collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders, contributing to regular updates and reports on project progress, financial status, and social risk management during the Due Diligence stage. Foster and maintain relationships with project teams, commercial partners, and external entities to align with project objectives and organizational social sustainability goals.
  
• Promote transparent communication regarding social sustainability across various stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for NBS and biodiversity initiatives both within the organization and with external partners.
  
• Support the development and dissemination of educational and training materials to enhance the regional team's proficiency in applying new social sustainability assessment and Due Diligence processes.
  
• Participate in site visits as necessary to monitor project progress, collaborate with local teams and stakeholders, and offer on-the-ground support to facilitate the effective implementation of social sustainability strategies and practices.
  

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 social science and related fields.
  
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in NBS projects focusing on climate mitigation, natural resources conservation, and socio-environmental development, particularly within rural or urban settings and with peasant communities and ethnic groups.
  
• 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.
  
• Relevant experience (+2 years) related to design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation, preferably in ecosystem services, restoration, sustainable productive systemsor preservation-related fields.
  
• Strong understanding of social and environmental safeguards, principles, and methodologies related to sustainable development projects.
  
• Business-quality communication skills (verbal and written) in both English and Spanish.
  
• 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 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.
  
• Ability to manage targets and priorities and develop own goals.
  
• Basic to advanced Portuguese (spoken and written) is a plus.
  

**If you feel you are a good fit for this opportunity, please can you apply and upload your cv in English.**

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.