[MPWG] JOB: Sustainable Ag Div. Director (Costa Rica)

[Plant Conservation]

Rainforest Alliance
665 Broadway, Suite 500, New York, NY 10012-2331
Tel (212) 677-1900, Fax (212) 677-2187, www.rainforest-alliance.org

Position Announcement

Title: Director, Sustainable Agriculture Division
Reports to: Executive Director, Rainforest Alliance, in consultation with
the Chief of Agriculture
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization
dedicated to protecting ecosystems and the people and wildlife that live
within them by implementing better land-use and business practices for
biodiversity conservation and sustainability. This mission is pursued
through education, research in the social and natural sciences, and the
establishment of cooperative partnerships with businesses, governments,
and local peoples to protect the environment, wildlife, workers and local
communities.

The Sustainable Agriculture Division of the Rainforest Alliance is the
international secretariat of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a
coalition of independent Latin American conservation and rural development
groups that use sustainable agriculture as a fulcrum for rural development
and conservation. SAN activities concentrate on the major commodity crops
(bananas, coffee cocoa, citrus, flowers) that have widespread and profound
influence on the economies, environments, cultures and politics of
tropical countries.  RA and SAN guide, motivate and verify social and
environmental improvements on coffee farms, awarding a seal of approval
(Rainforest Alliance Certified) to farms that meet comprehensive
management standards.

The Sustainable Agriculture Network:
- Sets standards for responsible farm management through an open process
that involves farmers, scientists, government agencies, NGOs and other
stakeholders.
- Certifies and awards a green seal of approval (Rainforest Alliance
Certified) to farms that meet the standards.
- Seeks economic and other incentives to drive changes on farms and
throughout the supply chain to consumers.
- Helps trading and marketing companies find sustainable sources of
quality products.
- Conducts research on the ecology of farming and on best management
practices.
- Trains specialists in environmental, agronomic and social sciences to
evaluate farms according to the standards.
- Coordinates with other certification groups on international policies
related to certification, accreditation, trade, and labor and
environmental issues.
- Helps farmers find markets for their certified products.
- Promotes the concept of certified, sustainable agriculture among
business groups, supermarkets, NGOs and consumers.

Summary of Position:
The Sustainable Agriculture Division Director will provide strategic
leadership of a visionary, decentralized and collaborative program.  The
director will develop and implement global business strategies for the
division's certification activities, and ensure financially viable,
high-quality, impeccably credible certifications. S/he will be expected to
grow the program's grant-supported projects through conceptualization of
new activities, fundraising and implementation.  The Director will
supervise the business, technical and marketing unit managers.

Primary Responsibilities:
- Overall responsibility for the development and direction of the
division, in coordination with Sustainable Agriculture Division staff, RA
Executive Director, RA Chief of Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture
Network members;
- Overall responsibility for the Sustainable Agriculture Network
secretariat, setting direction and policy with the SAN executive
committee;
- Represent program to external stakeholders and raise the profile of the
program in the food industry, from producers to retailers and within the
conservation, social justice and equitable trade communities;
- Identify potential supporters and solicit funds in coordination with the
Rainforest Alliance Development Department and RA Executive Director;
- Expand the program's fee-based activities, while continuing historic
emphasis on ensuring equity and environmental quality in agricultural
certification;
- Oversee the continual improvement of the certification systems to
maintain the highest standards and credibility;
- Develop, manage and monitor a long-term strategic plan for the
Sustainable Agriculture Division with annual plans and budgets;
- Provide input into RA policy and program development; and
- Supervise and motivate staff, providing guidance, support and
opportunities for growth.

Qualifications:
- M.B.A. or M.S. in a related field;
- A minimum of ten years experience managing international conservation
projects, agriculture production and/or certification activities;
- Demonstrated experience with strategy development in a fast-paced
international business environment;
- Experience with agriculture certification programs and operations;
- 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 and economic impacts of agriculture
on tropical communities, ecosystems and local economies;
- Strong management and decision making skills;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and sensitivity in dealing with
culturally diverse partner organizations;
- Bi-lingual in English and Spanish, both in written and speaking ability;
and
- Ability to travel internationally at least 25% of the time.

Compensation:
Salary commensurate with experience.  Competitive benefits.

To apply:
Send resume, cover letter and salary history to Human Resources,
Rainforest Alliance, 665 Broadway,
Suite 500 New York, NY, 10012. Fax: 212-677-2187, E-mail:
Personnel at ra.org.

The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.