Program Director

Conservation X Labs (CXL) seeks a highly-motivated, experienced, and proven Field Program Director to co-lead a new initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to engage the private sector in the development and implementation of innovations to make artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations more environmentally responsible and socially equitable throughout the Amazon.

We welcome applications from experienced individuals who are excited to grow a conservation program in the Amazon region that seeks to leverage innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship as well as the talents of a broad community of innovators for conservation impact, while improving the well being of the community.

This role may expand in the future to involve other areas involving addressing environmental crimes, protection of biodiversity, and their intersections with innovation. 

About Conservation X Labs

Conservation X Labs (CXL) is a technology and innovation company that spurs innovative solutions to stop the extinction crisis. We create new products in our labs, lead innovation competitions, and empower talented innovators across disciplines to collaborate and revolutionize the future of conservation. We are an optimistic, passionate, entrepreneurial, fun, and mission-oriented team working to radically improve the way we find solutions for conservation’s most wicked challenges.

About the Program

The Accelerating Innovation for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Operations in the Amazon program centers around the execution of a regional innovation competition seeking innovations to make artisanal, small-scale, and informal gold mining operations more environmentally responsible and socially equitable.

Elements of this program include the design, promotion and marketing, and facilitation of the evaluation process for the innovation competition. This program will build upon the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge - the globally-focused first iteration of this competition.

The program also includes working with partners in the region to pilot and test the innovations in the field and with miners, designing and facilitating a custom acceleration program, and executing high-level events to convene stakeholders, decision-makers, government officials, and the private sector around the issue of artisanal and small-scale mining and more environmental and socially equitable solutions.

About the Position

Summary

We are looking for an extraordinarily driven and self-motivated individual with a deep passion for conservation impact, a desire for risk-taking and experimentation, and a desire to harness emerging technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in ways adapted to the needs and demands of those on the ground in the Amazon. You will be the Conservation X Labs ambassador across the Amazon region. 

This is a full-time two-year contract position based in Lima, Peru. The Program Director will manage and oversee program execution, including all staff and consultants, subawardees and subcontractors, and activities and events, in pursuit of the program’s goals and objectives. This includes working closely with CXL staff in Washington DC, and USAID staff in Lima and other countries where USAID operates in the Amazon, to develop and execute the program strategy and design of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining competition, to implement and assess program activities and impact of the program. The Program Director will represent CXL at meetings and functions with USAID, government officials, private sector and NGO partners. The Program Director will oversee administrative, financial, procurement, and management functions for the CXL team in Peru. Beyond specific program management, they will strive to build a diverse, inclusive community engaged in addressing the environmental and social concerns around artisanal and small-scale gold mining and creatively pursue opportunities to implement the program so that it may reach its maximum potential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the program team and partner implementation of program activities -- including design and promotion of an open innovation competition seeking more environmentally friendly and socially equitable solutions to artisanal and small-scale gold mining; field testing of potential solutions; design and implementation of a custom accelerator program; and high-level events to showcase solutions and increase adoption;
• Communicate and collaborate regularly with the Conservation X Labs home office staff on program implementation;
• Manage and direct a team of 3 to 4 long-term consultants to execute the program, including establishing an office and work culture, reporting norms, and workflow process;
• Represent Conservation X Labs at meetings and functions with USAID and the US Embassy, Peruvian and Amazon basin governmentsgovernment officials, multilateral and bilateral development institutions, private sector and NGO partners;
• Foster partnership relationships with the private sector, governments, and conservation and environmental organizations in the region and generate enthusiasm for the program and issues it works to address;
• Directly oversee and manage subgrantees and subcontractors implementing work and activities to support the execution of this program;
• Work closely with the CXL home office to meet program compliance with USAID grant terms and USAID rules and regulations -- including work planning, monitoring and evaluation, financial and progress reporting, and branding and marketing strategies and implementation;
• Occasional travel in the region (capital cities and the field) as well as an annual trip to Washington, DC for training and consultation with the home office.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years in program and team management of activities of a similar size and complexity;
• Management and supervisory experience, especially in work planning, reporting, and budget management processes;
• Highly capable of working with a remote and international team, and significantly self-motivated and strategic.;
• Experience building and managing diverse partnership coalitions -- including the private sector, environmental non-profits, government officials, and those working in the informal mining sector;
• Significant diplomatic and representational skills and experience with foreign governments and officials, multilateral and bilateral development institutions, international nongovernmental organizations, and with national and international media.
• Strong oral and written communication and fluency in English and Spanish. Fluency in Portuguese is also strongly preferred;
• Previous experience with US government federal acquisition regulations and procedures required; strong preference for a candidate with familiarity of USAID rules and regulations and procurement protocols; and
• Strong preference for a candidate with knowledge, training, and experience working in or with the extractives/ mining industry -- especially the informal sector, and with  biodiversity conservation, environmental crime, or technology innovation, entrepreneurship and business development.

To Apply

Send a cover letter and resume in English to water@conservationxlabs.org with your name and the position you’re applying for in the subject. If you advance to the interview stage, we’ll ask to speak with professional references. Applicants must be authorized to work in Peru by the anticipated start of this contract (approximately October 15, 2020).

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 2, 2020 though you are strongly encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.