Advocacy Lead - Guyana Program

LOCATION: Georgetown, Guyana

WORK SCHEDULE: Full-time Consultancy

EMPLOYMENT/JOB TYPE: Contract, Temporary

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience

TIMEFRAME: March 1, 2022 – March 1, 2023, with the possibility of extension

DEPARTMENT: Program

SUPERVISING MANAGER:

• RFUS Program Director,
• APA Programme Coordinator

TEAM

• RFUS Program Director
• RFUS Program Manager
• RFUS Senior Geographer
• APA Programme Coordinator
• APA Governance and Advocacy Coordinator
• FPP lawyer

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Organizational overview

For over 30 years, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) has worked to address climate change and safeguard biodiversity by promoting the rights of indigenous peoples and supporting their efforts to protect and defend their rainforests. Science shows that forests managed by indigenous peoples are healthier, suffer less deforestation, capture more carbon, and contain more biodiversity than forests managed by private or public entities--including nationally protected areas. What’s more, scientists tell us that protecting forests is as important as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse.

RFUS works in partnership with indigenous communities and their representative organizations to protect tropical rainforests by supporting their efforts to secure rights to their lands, strengthen monitoring and land security, influence laws and policies that protect their resources, and build strong and sustainable community leadership. By investing directly in indigenous communities, RFUS connects the people rooted in the land with the tools, training, and resources to be effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru, and hosts a number of regional partnerships in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and across the tropical belt.

Position overview

In 2021, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) launched a project with the support of the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative and in alliance with the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) and the Rainforest Foundation US (RF-US). It seeks to promote and enable improved implementation of REDD+ safeguards and support for community-driven solutions. It will produce, validate, and publicly disseminate updated information from the field, which can be used by government and international agencies in shaping policies on land and forests (including Low Carbon Development Strategy and REDD+ programs) in Guyana, to best reflect international best practice and protect the rights of indigenous peoples in Guyana.

Responsibilities

Main tasks that are envisioned for this position include:

• Research and writing (25%)
  • Conduct research on international forest conservation initiatives to produce timely information and analysis for partners in Guyana, lead the drafting of educational materials for partners and support research on indigenous conservation areas.
• Advocacy Proposal Development (25%)
  • Support partners in their representations to relevant agencies and stakeholder groups, including around LCDS, REDD+/LEAF consultation processes.
• Support for District Councils (25%)
  • Liaise with District Councils to support planning, including research needs, strategy development, and implementation.
• Support for advocacy (25%)
  • Support partner advocacy campaigns and direct engagement with key governmental actors, civil society, media, and international agencies.

Requirements

• Qualification in related field
• At least 2 years experience in grassroots public policy advocacy with a non-governmental or indigenous organization
• Experience in designing and implementing public policy advocacy strategies for a social justice cause
• Demonstrate superior writing skills and experience translating scientific data for lay and policymaker audiences
• Proven success in overseeing the development of a range of communications and press materials for advocacy campaigns
• Experience with outreach to the media and use of social media
• Familiarity with the range of strategies for multifaceted advocacy campaigning, including coalition building, negotiation, lobbying, and direct action
• Possess highly attuned interpersonal skills and experience working constructively across teams to manage multiple priorities on short deadlines
• Possess highly attuned intercultural skills and the ability to work effectively with grassroots indigenous leaders, policymakers, and civil society organizations

Language

• Full professional proficiency in English is required
• Professional working proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese is desirable

Workplace Culture & Conditions

Rainforest Foundation US prides itself on providing a flexible, equitable, family-friendly, and inclusive work environment that values work-life balance. Our offices are pet friendly and located in a historic downtown Brooklyn neighborhood that is easily accessible by public transit and boasts a wide range of restaurants and services. Since the pandemic, employees can come into the office as they wish or negotiate with their supervisors to work from home or remotely.

Commitment to Equality & Equity

​​Rainforest Foundation US does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. Black, indigenous, and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.

Application instructions

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study the job description and reflect in the cover letter how your work and experience help you meet the requirements and skills we are looking for. Applications will not be considered without the submission of a cover letter and a resume.

Any position-related questions may be directed to jobs@rffny.org. Please note that the position will be listed as open until filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be contacted.