Latin America Forest Program Associate – Washington DC

Organization: Bank Information Center

Job Title: Latin America Forest Program Associate

Location: Washington DC

Hours and Compensation: This is a full-time (40 hrs/week), salaried position. Salary will be competitive for an equivalent NGO staff position and commensurate with experience. BIC offers outstanding benefits including generous annual leave with pay, fully covered health insurance, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2013

Position Dates: full time

Posted On: Dec. 27, 2012

Organization Overview

In 2013 BIC’s Latin America and REDD programs will work to influence the policy frameworks of the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and support civil society and Indigenous People’s partner organizations in Mesoamerica to participate in and influence the direction of programs to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) readiness efforts.

BIC REDD program over 2013 will focus on the following objectives:

1. The safeguard requirements in the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Readiness Package and Carbon Fund are strengthened and the FCPF Carbon Fund methodology is made consistent with the Cancun Accord and ongoing UNFCCC negotiations
2. Civil society, indigenous groups, and forest-dependent communities in priority countries utilize the available political space (including through FCPF, Forest Investment Program (FIP) and the Common Approach) to propose and advocate for stronger international REDD safeguards for multilateral REDD finance and transformational national forest governance proposals

Description

The Program Associate will lead BIC’s work in Mesoamerica. The position requires an individual who is knowledgeable on issues of REDD safeguards and priority themes of partner organizations including community forestry, payment for environmental service and advancing proposals to strengthen forest governance and the rights of indigenous peoples and forest dwelling communities, and is able to build strong relationships with regional civil society organizations, government officials, and World Bank staff. The Program Associate’s (PA) key responsibilities are listed below.

Responsibilities

REDD Policy Campaign

• Support the REDD Program Manager on development of policy proposals for the FCPF Carbon Fund Methodological Framework and Pricing Approach.
• Support BIC participation in FCPF related processes, meetings and events.
• Support the production and dissemination of information on FCPF, FIP and other REDD readiness programs at the WB to a regional audience.
• Support the elaboration and dissemination of training materials on REDD safeguard issues.
• Support efforts to increase transparency at the FCPF and FIP through regular WB access to information requests.

Mesoamerican REDD work

• Disseminate information in the region about developments within the WB on specific country REDD programming.
• Build understanding and capacity of CSO and IP partner organizations to engage in national REDD readiness processes and effectively advocate for their demands.
• Support CSO and IP partner organizations to participate in and influence the direction of strategic social and environmental assessment processes under the FCPF.
• Support direct engagement of key partners with WB and IDB staff and management on issues of concern and proposals for moving forward.

Campaign to strengthen common international environmental standards

• Assist in developing policy recommendations for WB safeguard review around issues of Forest, Natural Habitat and Indigenous Peoples policies, and support engagement of regional partners around these issues.
• Encourage participation of Mesoamerican CSOs and indigenous peoples during the World Bank safeguard review consultations, as part of the global campaign for strong environmental and social standards.
• Facilitate engagement of CSOs and indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica with their respective World Bank Executive Directors and management.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to social change.
• Graduate-level degree in relevant social science field such as political science, Latin American studies, environmental science, economics, etc.
• At least 2 years of experience in the development or environment fields working for or collaborating with NGOs or social movements, with at least 1 years’ experience with organizations in Latin America.
• Understanding of REDD issues, the role and activities of international financial institutions, and best practices on environmental and social assessments.
• Excellent organizing, communication, analytical and writing skills.
• Fluency in Spanish is essential.
• Washington DC-based with willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time.

How to Apply

Send a cover letter, resume/CV and two short writing samples to [email protected] or by fax to 202-737-1155. Write “LAC REDD Program Associate” on the subject heading. Deadline is on January 31, 2013. No phone calls, please. See www.bicusa.org for more information.