BIOECONOMY 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. 

CONTEXT

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 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). During the six years of support (2017-2023) we achieved an impact of an increased capacity to mainstream green growth objectives into development planning and investments within the priority sectors and regions that are critical for Colombia´s future green growth, particularly in those areas that are highly susceptible to increased natural resource degradation and forest cover loss. 

Besides important progress, the Green Growth challenge in Colombia continues and involves new goals, such as the strategic axis of the GGP aims to promote the sustainable use of natural capital, which includes the Bioeconomy as one key strategy to foster the low carbon economy through adding value to generate products, processes, and services based on responsible use of biodiversity and biomass. In that regard, GGGI supported the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – MinCiencias, the National Planning Department, and other stakeholders in the technical design and concertation of the National Bioeconomy Mission “Para una Colombia Potencia viva y diversa: hacia una Sociedad impulsada por el conocimiento”. 

To contribute to the new ambitions in Colombia, GGGI was awarded by the UKPACT program, in which different activities and outputs will be developed such as interinstitutional articulation mechanisms, bioproducts acceleration strategies, innovation solutions between private and academic stakeholders, capacity building program, and the development of tailored financial mechanisms, for fostering a just rural transition through comprehensive bioeconomy intervention model.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The position will be based in Bogota, Colombia and will report to the REDD+ Senior Associate. S/he will be responsible for supporting the engagement and technical advisory services to relevant National and sub-national counterparts, for the identification of Green Growth opportunities associated with the consolidating of the Bioeconomy and promoting the just rural transition. The work will be focused on policy advisory, capacity building. structuring of projects and enhanced management of financial resources to promote bioeconomy opportunities for the public and private sectors. This support should materialize in increased institutional capacities within communities, counterparts and allies, and project structuring towards bioeconomy objectives. 

 

PURPOSE

The Bioeconomy Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of bioproduct acceleration mechanisms by identifying and improving the processes that are fundamental in resolving the management bottlenecks.

 

ENGAGEMENT

• Support the Project Manager in identifying new workstreams and elaborate proposals to be able to meet subnational needs in terms of accelerating the bioeconomy and other related green growth topics. This implies budgeting, proposal preparation, project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

• Support GGGI Colombia program in all other activities and tasks related to the project and to GGGI’s bioeconomy work in the Andean region.

• Support the identification and engagement with potential donors for bioeconomy-related projects in Colombia.

• Engage and maintain relations with national, subnational government, and private stakeholders.

• Work closely with national and subnational counterparts to build cooperative relationships and establish effective partnerships.

• Support the subnational team in implementing their activities, identifying concrete opportunities for a bioeconomy approach and sustainable landscapes, producing high-quality deliverables, coordinating technical efforts, and delivering outputs on time.

• Represent GGGI in relevant bioeconomy-related events.

• Advise GGGI on new opportunities for engagement in the national and subnational context.

 

DELIVERY

• Ensure process integrity for project operation in compliance with institutional policies, standards, and donor requirements.

• 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.

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

• Support resource mobilization tasks to implement activities and projects related to the project implementation and the green growth and bioeconomy agenda.

• Provide technical support and advice to national and subnational stakeholders on identifying bioeconomy opportunities and implementing them as projects.

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

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

• Support the development of quality outsourcing work needed to carry out activities defined within the bioeconomy acceleration and articulation mechanisms.

• 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.

• Support GGGI in the strengthening of Bioeconomy portfolio.

 

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

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

• Higher education degree with preferred 3-4 years of relevant experience in bioeconomy, biotechnology, nature-based solutions, sustainable landscapes, with preferable experience in environmental policy and practices, bioeconomy.

• Post-graduate degree or Master’s degree in conservation of ecosystems or biotechnology is desirable.

• 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, bioeconomy policies, trade-offs, benefits, evaluation tools, poverty reduction, and development.

• Relevant experience in supporting government entities, as well as bioeconomy and green growth-related topics, knowledge in GIS toll is desirable.

• Proficiency in Spanish and English is mandatory.

 

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.

• Stays calm in a crisis 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.

 

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.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.