Rainforest Foundation US is hiring a
EMPLOYMENT/JOB TYPE: Full-time
WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours a week
LOCATION: New York preferred, remote work possible; frequent travel
DEPARTMENT: Programs
SUPERVISING MANAGER:
TEAM:
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About Rainforest Foundation US
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 essential 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 become effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru and hosts several regional partnerships in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and across the tropical belt.
About the Position
The Policy & Advocacy Program Manager is a newly created position. This person will be responsible for consolidating and establishing an integrated policy advocacy program, supporting RFUS partners, and collaborating with the main indigenous organizations across the tropical belt.
RFUS has a long history of supporting national and international advocacy efforts of partner organizations, built on trust and our rights-based, partner-forward approach. The organization’s long-term partnerships with indigenous movements in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru have allowed us to support the growth of key organizations, including through the expansion of funding and staff, building staff capacity for advocacy and communications; among other areas. RFUS staff provides ongoing support to partner organizations through a wide variety of operational modalities customized to suit our partners, including hands-on support; hiring local experts, and partnerships with NGOs.
While central to our work, advocacy support has been conducted in a mostly ad-hoc manner. We feel the need to consolidate and build on this work, given both pressing needs and opportunities. A number of significant international commitments to funding indigenous peoples have recently been made. RFUS is working with partners to ensure that international funds being announced for forest protection reach communities, through support for territorial funding mechanisms, advocacy, and building the capacity of indigenous organizations. The Policy & Advocacy Program Manager will ensure that there is sustained advocacy around climate finance by our partner organizations at the national, regional, and international level.
Responsibilities
Requirements
Language
Compensation & Benefits
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 many 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. Providing a link to a portfolio of past work is an advantage. Applications will not be considered without the submission of a cover letter and a resume.
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.
The candidate must possess the legal requirements to work in the United States; Rainforest Foundation US will not sponsor visas for international candidates.