Western Amazon Director

Who we are

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. Scientists tell us that protecting forests is as essential as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse. 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.

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.

Our Impact

The mission of the Rainforest Foundation is to support Indigenous and traditional peoples of the world’s rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment and uphold their rights by assisting them in:

• Securing and controlling the natural resources necessary for their long term well being and managing these resources in ways that do not harm their environment, violate their culture or compromise their future; and
• Developing the means to protect their individual and collective rights and to obtain, shape, and control basic services from the state.

Purpose of the position

Lead and manage its established operations and team in Peru, as well as its growing work in Ecuador and the tri-border area of Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.

Based in Lima, Peru, you will be responsible for leading RFUS’s work to support indigenous peoples' organizations in the Western Amazon. You will represent RFUS and work closely with indigenous peoples' organizations, local communities, government agencies, donors, and international partners to advance RFUS's mission and strategic objectives. You will oversee a highly motivated and knowledgeable team based out of our office in Lima, as well as field staff in Iquitos and Pucallpa.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Delivery: Provide strategic leadership and direction for RFUS’s programs and initiatives in Peru that are aligned with the organization’s strategy and theory of change; Support the cultivation and maintenance of strong relationships with indigenous peoples' organizations, local communities, and stakeholders in the Amazon basin; Represent RFUS in various forums, conferences, and meetings to promote its mission and programs

• Staff Development and management: Manage a diverse and multi-disciplinary team, providing ongoing guidance, support, and mentorship to ensure high-quality performance; Participate in organization-wide senior leadership team, ensuring that the needs and experience of the Peru team is represented in organization wide decision making

• Budgeting, Financial Management and Fundraising: Lead development of annual Western Amazon program budget and manage annual spending within approved budget; Collaborate with the RFUS Fundraising team to develop and execute fundraising strategies to secure financial resources for activities in the region.

Requirements and competences to work with us

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience working in the sector in the geographic region, preferably with indigenous peoples.

• Proven experience working for a rights-based non-profit organization and/or an environmental conservation non-profit organization.

• Extensive experience working in Amazon basin countries, particularly with indigenous peoples' organizations.

• Strong track record in fundraising and/or interacting with donors to secure financial support.

• Knowledge of USAID, EU, and other international grant-making facilities’ application and reporting processes.

Knowledge and skills

• Fluency in Spanish, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced English, with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to effectively plan, implement, and monitor programs.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a proactive, collaborative, and innovative approach.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead a team of 10+ professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to remote locations and work in challenging environments.
• Knowledge of indigenous rights, environmental issues, and social justice in the region.

Our team profile

• It is a very dynamic and fluid organization that gives employees autonomy
• The decision-making process is very quick, and
• The staff is very friendly and creates a great organizational climate

Relevant details before applying for this vacancy

It is necessary to have availability for travel - to the provincial capitals every 2 weeks approximately, and once a month to another country, from time to time to the United States for more punctual activities or climate conferences.

This person does not need to be currently living in Peru, but will need to be willing to relocate.

Salary range: from USD$63,000 to USD$78,000 - total gross annual in local currency, commensurate with experience and based in Lima.

It is a Confidential and Management classified position. This position reports to the Director of the Programs Department and  will be a member of the Rainforest Foundation US Senior Leadership Team.

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 the district of Barranco, Lima.

Commitment to Equality & Equity

RFUS does not and shall not discriminate based on 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 are committed to 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

• RFUS aims to fill the position as soon as possible.
• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early and advised to carefully
study the job description to ensure they meet the requirements and skills we are
looking for.
• Applications will not be considered without the submission of a resume and
cover letter.
• Please note that the position will be listed as open until filled. Only those
candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be contacted.