Programme Coordinator – Peru an... in London

This position is being re-advertised. The postholder will work from the Rainforest Foundation’s London office, as part of the Programmes team, co-ordinating the Rainforest Foundation’s programme in Peru. S/he will be responsible to the Programme Manager and will work closely with our local project partner organisations in Peru. S/he will also be responsible for oversight of other programmes in the Amazon-Andean sub-region (currently one small project in Colombia) and, time allowing, for developing new project opportunities in Peru or the wider sub-region. S/he will be expected to spend around 15 weeks of the year in the region.

The overall goals of the Rainforest Foundation’s work in rainforest countries are:

• To ensure that the processes governing forest control and use are transparent and explicitly include forest dependent communities as key decision‑makers;
• To ensure that the area of thriving forest has been maintained or increased from current levels and that activities which destroy or degrade forests, such as industrial logging, have decreased from current levels;
• To enable forest dependent communities to strengthen, understand, articulate and exercise their rights;
• To ensure that forest peoples can articulate and fulfil their own needs, including sustainable livelihoods and access to basic services such as education.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage the ’Protecting Rainforest in the Selva Central Region of Peru’ project and any other projects ensuring proper project implementation and compliance with any donor requirements;
• Manage regular communications with the major donor of the project ’Protecting Rainforest in the Selva Central Region of Peru’;
• Assist in the identification and development of new field projects which have the potential to support the Rainforest Foundation’s strategy in Peru and other countries in the Andean Amazon sub-region (with the exception of Brazil);
• Assist in the preparation of funding proposals relevant for the development of the Andean Amazon projects and policy programme, particularly in Peru;
• Deliver and coordinate capacity strengthening and support through mentoring and training to staff of local project partner organisations for the ’Protecting Rainforest in the Selva Central Region of Peru’ project and for any other projects in the Andean Amazon region, particularly in Peru;
• Support partner organisations to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate projects, with particular emphasis on participatory approaches;
• Develop and implement a realistic campaign and advocacy strategy necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the ’Protecting Rainforest in the Selva Central Region of Peru’ project, and more widely on the protection of forests and forest peoples rights in Peru, in consultation with the partners, the Executive Director and other members of the Programmes team;
• Monitor relevant international developments, particularly those affecting the project areas, and more widely concerning forest policy, indigenous rights and development co-operation;
• Prepare to publications standard, and support the production of, project and campaign materials and publications, including leaflets, briefings, reports and internet material, in consultation with the Director;
• Develop and conduct relevant media outreach in consultation with the Programmes team and the Press and Media Officer;
• Represent the organisation in relevant local, national and international fora, on relevant project and policy issues, in consultation with the Programme Manager and Executive Director;
• Supervise the work of consultants, researchers and volunteers as appropriate;
• Perform other tasks as may from time to time be requested by the Programme Manager or Executive Director.

PERSON SPECIFICATION PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, PERU AND THE ANDEAN AMAZON

• At least three years’ experience of managing projects with local partners in a developing country.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of participatory and rights‑based approaches to community development and advocacy.
• Experience of delivering training and ongoing mentoring to partner organisations in a developing country.
• Skills in negotiating, including with senior officials, representatives of government, international agencies and NGOs.
• Demonstrable experience in managing substantial budgets and implementing effective financial control mechanisms.
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both spoken and written.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of different audiences.
• Demonstrable commitment to being part of a team motivated by political challenges and practical achievements on behalf of indigenous people of tropical forests.
• Demonstrable resourcefulness and motivation, with the ability to plan work and deliver outputs to agreed deadlines.
• Experience of living and working in Africa, Asia or Latin America.
• An ability and willingness to travel within Peru and the Andean Amazon region for up to 15 weeks a year.
• Experience of developing advocacy and campaigning activities with partners in Africa, Asia or Latin America.
• Masters degree in a relevant subject, such as forestry, development studies, human rights, environmental law or international relations.
• Good knowledge of indigenous peoples’ rights issues and international agreements affecting them, especially in a Latin American context.
• Knowledge of forest management issues in tropical forests.
• An understanding of international financial institutions, international organisations and donors such as the World Bank, the EC, etc.
• Knowledge of Asháninka, Quechua or other languages spoken in Peru.

The post will initially be offered on a fixed‑term 2 year contract, which the Rainforest Foundation hopes to make permanent subject to funding. Non‑contributory pension (4% of salary, commencing on satisfactory completion of 6 months’ probationary period) 30 days holiday per annum + bank and public holidays.

Closing date for applications: 17.00, May 25th 2009.