Farm and Supply Chain Economics Lead at Rainforest Alliance

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Global Lead Farm Economics develops & implements strategic objectives of the Rainforest Alliance with respect to sustainable livelihoods and economics of the farm for focus crops and regions. This includes: 

1. Provide dynamic and creative leadership and coordination for the implementation of Rainforest Alliance’s farm economics strategy & workstream; 
2. Co-lead innovative programs, projects, and proposal design and development of interventions within these areas of expertise, including cultivation and support for key partner, company and donor relationships; 
3. Support the implementation of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard of Rainforest Alliance, related tools, training and guidance documents; 
4. Support the implementation of landscape & community programs and projects on increasing and achieving sustainable livelihoods for farmers; 
5. Collaborate with other theme leads and colleagues across the organization and provide technical support to ensure Rainforest Alliance’s programs on climate, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, human rights and gender have a positive impact on farmers’ economic resilience. 

We look for a professional with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, and a strong writing capacity including the ability to write for a diverse set of audiences, including local stakeholders, development practitioners, donors and the general public and. Our ideal candidate has a strong team-based orientation, and is capable to excel under minimal supervision. His or her excellent interpersonal skills come with the ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals. Project management is an important part of the job, which means that strong organizational skills and efficient management of multiple tasks and priorities are needed.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Lead, develop and support implementation of strategy and global engagement on the farm economics topic and its synergies with other themes, including climate, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, living wage, gender and human rights; 
• Support the development and implementation of the farm economics element of the certification program, including supply chain investments, related tools and guidance; 
• Collaborate with regional and advocacy colleagues to support their work to advance economic resilience of especially smallholders;  
• Together with the Markets teams (tailored programs, core markets, sectors), engage and support companies in the development and implementation of strategies and programs which enable economic resilience including closing the gap to a living income; 
• Provide technical support to Rainforest Alliance’s programs on climate, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, human rights and gender to incorporate farmers’ economic resilience. 
• Provide technical advice, evidence and lessons learned and feedback to colleagues on economic resilience to support program development and implementation; 
• Ensure continuous learning, knowledge management, through communities of practices, awareness raising and technical capacity building across the organization; 
• In coordination with advocacy, partnerships teams and the market teams, represent the organization at events and conferences;  
• Be the internal and external point of contact for technical topics on farm economics, living income / economic resilience etc. 

Qualifications:   

• First degree in Economics, Agronomy, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science or related studies, and Master’s degree or PhD in Agricultural Economics or MBA; 
• Minimum 7 years professional (and field) experience in agricultural economics related work, preferably with experience in the global south; 
• Experience in supply chain economics; 
• Knowledge of certification programs in the context of living income/livelihoods and sustainability practices (desired); 
• Experience in the sustainable production of at least one of Rainforest Alliance focus crops (cocoa, coffee, tea, banana) would be preferable; 
• Experience in fundraising, including the design of complex proposals and projects, with bilateral or multilateral donor agencies and company partnerships; 
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written. Additional languages in particular Spanish and/or French are an asset; 
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time. 

Deadline: November 25, 2022