BIODIVERSITY ASSOCIATE

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

BACKGROUND

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to “countries” development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities, which build a solid theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers, as well as creating the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.                                                                                          

GGGI has been working with the Government of Colombia to advance green growth policies and green investments through strategic partnerships such as with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Treasury and Public Credit, and the National Planning Department (DNP), among others. Since 2014, GGGI has supported the DNP in its objective of advancing a green growth vision and transition plan for Colombia that can support climate goals and SDGs achievement. GGGI has supported the development of the Green Growth Taskforce led by DNP (2016-2018), which produced solid and relevant information for the design and concertation of the Green Growth Policy- GGP (adopted by means of CONPES 3934 of 2018).

One of the main aspects of the green growth policy was the development and promotion of the AFOLU sector, a sector in which GGGI has been working closely with the national government, particularly in those areas that are highly susceptible to increased natural resource degradation and forest cover loss. GGGI is seeking to scale up this work and enhance the expertise of the program in Colombia by strengthening the team capacities to support different activities related to sustainable productive landscapes, sustainable forest management, and Biodiversity Conservation. These activities include supporting the GGGI Colombian team in the design of projects, programs, and strategies to consolidate the biodiversity and sustainable landscapes agenda in Colombia within the global strategic objectives of GGGI. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Biodiversity Associate will be based in Bogotá, Colombia, and will report to the Andean Representative. This position’s main responsibilities include but are not limited to ensuring process integrity across various project workstreams, providing technical support to the biodiversity and sustainable landscapes projects, support the design of projects, programs, and strategies to consolidate the sustainable landscapes agenda in Colombia within the global strategic objectives of GGGI and strengthen engagement with counterparts and stakeholders of the following thematic areas: sustainable productive landscapes, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and Bioeconomy.

PURPOSE

The Biodiversity Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the program to implement strategies and measurements to scale up the operations regarding to conservation of strategic ecosystems. Under the guidance of the Andean Representative, will support project development and implementation at the national level, development of new initiatives and partnerships, and  will provide assistance with current products and project components, identifying opportunities to enhance GGGI´s programmatic capacity.

DELIVERY

• Support the Colombian program in strengthening its operations related to thematic areas: sustainable, productive landscapes, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, in compliance with institutional policies, standards, and donor requirements.

• Provide support and technical input for the implementation and monitoring of Biodiversity and Sustainable Landscapes related policies.

• Support the identification of Project delivery issues and ensure effective coordination of project activities and resource execution to ensure that objectives are reached alongside their established timeframes and budget.

• Assess Biodiversity, Sustainable Landscapes, and green growth issues and opportunities within targeted sectors at the national and subnational level in coordination with key national counterparts.

• Support resource mobilization activities to implement activities and projects related to the project implementation and Biodiversity and Sustainable Landscapes.

• Sustain the quality of deliverables accordingly with GGGI standards and assure the value of products/services.

• Supervise the work of firms and consultants when requested.

• Organize relevant workshops, consultations, and focal group discussions with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of GGGI´s service with client needs.

• Support the development of results reporting of project activities and facilitate internal and external communications.

ENGAGEMENT

• Support the Andean representative and project managers in Colombia in developing the quality outsourcing work needed to carry out activities defined within thematic areas: sustainable productive landscapes, sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

• Support the Colombian team in the implementation of their activities, identifying concrete opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Landscapes, producing high-quality deliverables, coordinating technical efforts, and delivering outputs on time.

• Identify issues and other operational factors which impact the consistent delivery of activities and outputs.

• Closely collaborate with GGGI Colombian program to provide technical support and advice to national and subnational stakeholders on identifying sustainable, productive landscapes, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and Bioeconomy opportunities.

• Work closely with national counterparts to build cooperative relationships and establish the organization as an effective partner.

• Support the Colombian team in monitoring consistent/appropriate resource use, delivery proceeding on schedule, and operational demands within project parameters.

• Support the Andean Representative and project managers in Colombia in identifying new workstreams and developing proposals to accelerate green growth topics and meet national and subnational needs. This implies budgeting, proposal preparation, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

• Advise GGGI on opportunities for engagement in the national context, demonstrating effective adaptation of the GGGI approach.

• Provide technical advisory to the Country Representative on new areas of program expansion, enhancement, and trouble-shorting.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a Colombian citizen, or a foreigner holding a valid Work Visa.

• Post-graduate degree or Master’s degree Biology, Ecology, Forestry Engineering, Life sciences or related fields

• Preferred 4 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions, and sustainable landscapes, with a strong background in environmental policy and practices, public investment, planning, and implementation of budgets within the public sector.

• Proficiency in Spanish and English is mandatory.

• Knowledge of public policies and natural resource conservation and management in Colombia.

• Strong background in development projects and programs within international cooperation, private or public sector; experience in agriculture, land use, or rural development sectors is a plus.

• Familiarity and understanding of green growth issues, biodiversity and sustainable landscape policies, trade-offs, benefits, evaluation tools, poverty reduction, and development.

• Relevant experience in supporting government entities, as well as biodiversity conservation and green growth-related topics.

• Field experience and context understanding of local communities, environment and development institutions, bottlenecks, issues, and policies at the national and local levels.

• Relevant experience in supporting government entities in sustainable landscapes, biodiversity conservation, and green growth-related topics.

• Preferably previous experience working in international organizations similar to the Global Green Growth Institute -where collaboration between regional and country offices and thematic officers is key towards the achievement of the objectives.

FUNCTIONAL

• Achieves results in a quality, timely, and cost-effective way. Sees priorities, plans the efficient use of resources, and monitors progress against objectives.

• Anticipates crucial risks and risk management strategies in projects. Formulates alternative means of achieving objectives. Responds effectively to unforeseen events.

• Sets high but achievable standards for self and others and seeks opportunities to improve processes and outcomes. Constantly reviews performance to identify areas of improvement.

• Capacity to provide technical guidance towards strategic targets, work plans, and high-quality deliverables.

• Ability to provide solid and appropriate technical advice, understanding the counterparts´ needs, limitations, and capacities.

• Measured confidence to take on demanding work or put forward views when they may be challenged.

• Knows how to work under pressure and overcomes conflict easily. Handles competing demands. Overcomes setbacks. Welcomes and learns from feedback.

• Versatile, personable and flexible when facing complex projects, continuously changing new people and political support to the project. Attention to detail, quality control, and very good organizational abilities.

• Attention to detail, quality control, and superb writing and organizational abilities.

• Able to communicate information and ideas in a clear and articulate manner in both oral and written formats. Uses appropriate language, style, and methods depending on the audience and the purpose of communication.

 CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.

• Promote the optimum use of public resources

• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.

• Process and share information easily.

• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.

• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.

• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenge.