**Chief of Party, **Sustainable Landscapes Ventures**
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
** - This position is based in Mexico City, Mexico**
Conservation International Mexico is seeking an exceptionally qualified and highly motivated individual to serve as Chief of Party (CoP) for the "Sustainable Landscapes Ventures" (SLV) project funded by USAID in Mexico. The position is based in Mexico City and will lead the way for this collaborative effort as a catalyst for change and innovation in three landscapes: Campeche, Chiapas, and Oaxaca.
The person in this role will oversee the project's execution, effectively translating objectives to achieve a shared vision for consortium partners and landscape stakeholders, achieving consensus among consortium partners, and leading effective governance mechanisms to meet project objectives.
The purpose of the SLV project is to develop sustainable and inclusive value chains at scale in the three landscapes, consolidating long-term partnerships between small producers, investors, and buyers, which also conserve biodiversity and prevent deforestation. Small producers will be organized into Collective Business Entities (CBEs) to reduce costs, improve market access, increase profit margins, improve quality, and achieve scale. The project includes a Blended Finance Engine (BFE) as a coordination mechanism to provide services to the CBEs, including a marketplace to connect producers with buyers and a selection of projects to access the blended finance mechanism of new and existing funds. The CoP will play a key role in launching new blended funds; in designing the monitoring, evaluation, and learning system; and in incorporating social and environmental safeguards throughout the project, with a special emphasis on gender equity.
The selected individual will oversee administrative and technical teams and lead the project's daily management. Responsibilities will include designing governance bodies, CBEs, and BFE, with social and environmental standards. A strong understanding of small producers, value chains, markets/buyers, and financing is required.
The CoP will review the financial status and ensure that high-quality quarterly, semi-annual, and annual technical and financial M&E reports are submitted to USAID. They will also be responsible for overseeing the procurement plan aligned with USAID rules and regulations and ensuring that contracts and partners comply with USAID rules and regulations. A key role of the CoP will be to develop mechanisms for the project's financial sustainability. The selected individual will also work with stakeholders to ensure the project's long-term sustainability, promote and coordinate working relationships with governments, buyers, donors, and investors, and participate in regional collaboration with Cl programs worldwide.
**RESPONSIBILITIES**
Leadership:
- Leads innovation to achieve scale, market access, and blended financing for the CBEs in the landscapes.
- Leads inclusivity and sustainability throughout the project.
- Leads coordination of the design, operation, and Steering Committee of the blended finance mechanism.
- Manages the daily relationship with consortium partners.
- Designs annual work plans and collaborates with other ongoing landscape projects supporting the SLV project (GEF6 Sustainable Landscapes, Restoration in Sustainable Landscapes, PPC).
- Attracts responsible buyers to the Marketplace.
- Cultivates new investors to join the blended finance mechanism.
- Develops collaboration agreements with governmental institutions.
- Leads the long-term vision of CBEs and BFE to provide sustainability.
- Works to ensure that the design, standards, and regulations of the CBEs have an inclusive focus on gender equity, women's empowerment, and youth inclusion, and that this is mainstreamed throughout the project.
- Leads and manages the project team, providing strategic direction, vision, coordination, resource management, and supervision required to achieve strategic goals and deliver top-quality products.
- Leads the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, and annual progress reports, delivering timely, accurate, and detailed reports that meet donor requirements.
- Directs and oversees grant implementation, ensuring that all strategic objectives are met through appropriate design, staffing, implementation, and quality assurance.
- Establishes and maintains effective project reporting, evaluation, and communication systems.
- Oversees compliance with technical requirements, including project results and