Forestry Operations Manager – Latin America

About rePLANET

rePLANET is a purpose-driven company committed to large-scale ecological restoration and
protection worldwide funded through the private sector. Our primary objective is to fund the
restoration and conservation of landscapes through the generation of carbon and biodiversity
credits, whilst ensuring that at least 60% of the revenues each project generates are returned
to local stakeholders. Our wide portfolio of services includes native tropical forest
restoration, mangrove restoration, nature-based advisory services, and marine ecosystem
protection and restoration.

As the private sector increasingly acknowledges its responsibility towards nature restoration
and protection, rePLANET has established itself as a leading project developer in the
nature-based solutions sector. Consequently, our knowledge and expertise are in high demand
globally.

To expand and strengthen our team, we are looking for a forestry/agroforestry specialist to
support our growing portfolio of projects, particularly in Central and South America. This role
offers an excellent opportunity for career progression within a rapidly expanding company at
the forefront of this dynamic sector.

About the Role

The Forestry Operations Manager will sit within the Project Development Team, assisting with
the design of a forestry strategy for our portfolio of projects, primarily in Central and South
America but with the potential to expand to other regions in the future. They will help to
ensure that the design of our projects is based on best practice examples of successful
forestry (and thus that project goals are realistic and achievable), and to provide technical
support to other parts of the company, including those screening potential new projects and
those leading on project due diligence with investors. Some key responsibilities include:

1. Project Design: Collaborate with the project development team to create a viable forestry
   strategy using mixed native species, and assist with calculating carbon accumulation
   assumptions.
2. Project Implementation: Provide ongoing technical support to local teams implementing
   forestry strategies and assist with problem solving against pre-defined project milestones.
3. Project Coordination: Work closely with various project stakeholders including local
   implementation partners, external experts and suppliers (primarily in Colombia, Costa Rica,
   Mexico and Panama) to manage the delivery of project design and delivery to the agreed
   strategies, contracts and budgets. This will involve facilitating effective communication
   across time zones to maximise project efficiency.
4. Technical and GIS Support: Utilise basic GIS software and analytical skills to support
   project needs.

We welcome applicants from Europe or the Americas, although preference will be given to those
based in Central and South America, particular in one of our countries of operation (Colombia,
Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama). Regardless of location, applicants will need to be comfortable
speaking and working in both Spanish and English.

This is a permanent position (subject to a three month probation period) with a salary in the
region of £36,000 pa subject to experience.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Desirable

• Higher degree (i.e. Masters or PhD) in a relevant discipline

Experience

Essential

• Practical experience in forestry or agroforestry projects (commercial plantations or
  restoration), preferably in the tropics
• Experience with collaboratively delivering multi-stakeholder projects against different
  contracts, targets and budgets

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Fluent Spanish (spoken and written)
• Proficient in English for communication with international team members
• Basic understanding of GIS software and analysis
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools and setup
• Ability to write clearly, accurately and concisely whilst working towards tight deadlines
• Ability to analyse and evaluate data and other evidence to inform decisions

Desirable

• Basic understanding of a programming language (e.g. R, Python, Java)
• Knowledge of, or experience with, carbon and/or biodiversity certification processes (e.g.
  Verra, Plan Vivo)
• Familiarity with core concepts from carbon accreditation, such as additionality, leakage and
  dynamic baselines

Competencies and Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to react flexibly to changing priorities
• Ability to manage workloads self-sufficiently
• Strong interpersonal skills to manage partner relationships without conflict
• Ability to work in a team both in-person and remotely
• Desire to contribute to the protection and restoration of species, habitats and ecosystems
  through the stimulation of private finance

Working Arrangements

Working arrangements will differ depending on the location of the successful applicant. Those
based in Central or South America will work fully remotely but will be expected to regularly
visit project sites across the region. Those based in the UK or Europe will work remotely for
most of the year but there will be an expectation that they are available for in-person ‘block
weeks” at the rePLANET HQ in Lincolnshire, UK, four times per year. The exact dates of these
block weeks will be arranged no less than 4 weeks in advance and during these block weeks you
would be required to work from HQ from 13:00 on the Monday until 13:00 on the Friday
(accommodation would be provided). UK and European-based staff will also be required to visit
project sites regularly.

rePLANET works on projects around the world and there is an expectation that all staff are
prepared to work for extended periods in the field, including overseas. As a minimum you will
be required to be available for at least six periods of up to three weeks per year.

Next Steps

If you would like to apply for this role please submit your CV and a cover letter describing
your suitability for the position, making reference to the selection criteria outlined in the
above Person Specification. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found
and should be submitted to [email protected]. Please apply early to avoid
disappointment.

rePLANET is experiencing a significant period of growth and it is therefore likely that
multiple positions of a similar nature will become available in the next 6-12 months. If you
are not offered the position in this round of recruitment but would like your CV to be kept on
file for consideration as other opportunities arise, please indicate this in your cover letter.