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

There is urgent need for identifying, demonstrating, and disseminating sustainable agricultural systems that enhance productive potential and address the interconnected drivers of poverty and climate vulnerability in El Salvador.

Opportunities to address this situation include dissemination of best practices and technical capacity building in Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA), Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), strengthening value chain integration, availing and training on the use of and capacity building for the use of IT technologies with application in the agriculture sector. Cooperative/associative arrangements are an effective means to build capacity and enhancing the preparedness and resilience of women and youth in the agriculture sector, providing them with decent livelihoods and improved employability in the sector.

GGGI is the implementing partner for two Korea funded projects; “Strengthening Capacities of Women and Youth for Implementation of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) in El Salvador”, which will be implemented in El Salvador and is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea; and “Korea-Mexico-Three Central American Countries Triangular Cooperation Project on Strengthening Capacities for Forest Landscape Restoration in Response to Climate Change”, which will be implemented in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador and is financed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). GGGI also has a pipeline of climate change mitigation and adaptation opportunities to support our Member and partner governments in the region.

Within this context, GGGI is seeking a highly experienced Forestry Senior Associate based in El Salvador, to support the implementation of these two projects. Reporting directly to the Project Manager, based in El Salvador, with a secondary reporting line to GGGI Regional Director, based in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Regional Office, the Forestry Senior Associate will support the execution, implementation, and field operations undertaken by the projects.

MAFRA Project

The project aims to strengthening the technical and entrepreneurial capacities and provide financial support to vulnerable farmers under associative arrangements to improve sustainability of farming practices and value chain integration that contribute to the climate adaptation and resilience goals of El Salvador and net-zero goals of Republic of Korea (ROK).

KOICA Project

The project focuses on the delivery of capacity building on Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), the development of national FLR protocols (including guidelines for agroforestry and/or the implementation of national FLR plans) and the development of FLR Actions Plans at subnational level in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

PURPOSE

The Forestry Senior Associate will be the responsible for field operations involving the establishment of agroforestry and silvopastoral systems in the Departments of San Miguel and Usulutan in El Salvador and will directly supervise the work of a team of Agroforestry technicians. The Forestry Senior Associate will also support the Project Manager with ensuring that project operations align with GGGI’s policies and rules, donor requirements and national legal frameworks and sectoral strategies.

The Forestry Senior Associate will also be responsible for the implementation of capacity building activities, development of national protocols (guidelines, rules, regulations) for forest landscape restoration (FLR) through, among others, agroforestry and the development of subnational Action Plans for the implementation of FLR in El Salvador and will work as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including GGGI staff and consultants. The Forestry Senior Associate will also support the Project Manager with ensuring that project operations align with GGGI’s policies and rules, donor requirements and national legal frameworks and sectoral strategies.

ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate with GGGI colleagues in El Salvador, the LAC Regional Office and HQ on project related matters to enable the delivery of high-quality outputs and outcomes in accordance with GGGI Standards and contractual conditions of the project.
• Support the Project Manager in ensuring timely delivery of field operations linked to project outcomes and outputs.
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with central government agencies, regional and local governments, donor, NGOs, development partners and local stakeholders.
• Support efforts to identify opportunities for resource mobilization that contributes to expand project impact and sustainability in alignment with GGGI policies and procedures.
• Support the Project Manager in ensuring successful delivery of outputs by applying technical knowledge and stakeholder engagement skills and networks.
• Stay informed on technical knowledge and expertise in FLR, climate adaptation plans, and government of El Salvador’s strategic plans, policies and legal framework, among others.

DELIVERY

The Senior Associate is expected to deliver the following:

• Oversee and manage implementation of activities by supervised staff and third-party contracts, ensuring adherence to GGGI policies, rules and regulations and donor requirements
• Contribute to analysis of value chains and development of bankable business models, in collaboration with the Value Chains Officer
• Assist in evaluating program risk factors and project issues, and developing solutions to address such issues.
• Develop action plans for project implementation in coordination with MAG and MARN.
• Plan and oversee implementation of field activities related to establishment of agroforestry and silvopastoral productive systems.
• Stay informed on technical knowledge and expertise in CSA, climate plans, government of El Salvador’s strategic plans, policies and legal framework, among others.
• Gather sectoral, national and international information to assess and design FLR, articulating common objectives as well as the risks, value and benefits of sustainable climate positive management and investment.
• Engage national, departmental and local government representatives, private sector, MSMEs and community representatives engaged in economic activities in forested and agricultural landscapes, seeking to find common ground for the development of subnational FLR action plans.
• Research, analyze and report on best practices on FLR applicable to the national context.
• Present actionable recommendation for the development of FLR feasibility assessments.
• Present results-oriented data and identifies opportunities for FLR related value chain support and development.
• Keep abreast of technologies, trade information and potential market opportunities which address green value chain development, ecosystem restoration, and climate-smart agriculture relevant to NDC and SDG implementation in El Salvador.
• Lead the development and dissemination of knowledge and communication products taking stock of existing experiences in El Salvador and across the Mesoamerica Region.
• Raise awareness of ICT tools to improve access to market information and climate adaptation of resource constrained and marginalized sector of the Salvadorian population.
• Provide technical training on CSA, entrepreneurship, business management and financial literacy that will be delivered utilizing proven methods to reach final beneficiaries on the ground.
• Support the Government of El Salvador in making ICT tools (early warning systems) available to a larger number of unserved farmers nationwide, to facilitate access to information that will allow them to prepare for climate-related hazards.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture, agroforestry, rural development or related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.
• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrable professional experience in leading the implementation of FLR, bio-economy value chains assessment, and CSA activities on the ground.
• Experience in the delivery of capacity building activities targeting local farmer organizations.
• A proven track record of implementing technically and commercially viable agroforestry and silvopastoral systems that contribute to climate change adaptation and emissions reductions.
• Demonstrable experience with participatory planning processes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience in the development of public policy instruments.
• In-depth knowledge of FLR principles and criteria.
• Must be a citizen of El Salvador, or have valid work permit in El Salvador.
• Fluency in Spanish and English, and excellent report writing skills are essential.

***Applications and CVs must be sent in English***

FUNCTIONAL

• Experience within sustainability and climate change adaptation in the land use sector.
• Experience in engaging with public sector, and civil society in capacity building activities.
• Project delivery experience, including managing the work and deliverables of supervisees and consultants within planned time and on budget.
• Experience designing and implementing FLR activities and FLR-related business plans, agroforestry and silvopastoral systems on the ground, as well as experience in community-based and participatory development projects.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Process and share information easily.
• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenge.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Senior Associate is an X7 grade level in GGGI’s El Salvador salary scale. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate’s experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance.

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

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.