ZCC Project Management Specialist
The Nature Conservancy
What We Can Achieve Together:
Within TNC´s global program Provide Food and Water, TNC’s Zero Conversion Commodities (ZCC) is a global and mature strategy with the goal of transforming the food system for soy, cattle, palm oil primarily but not limited to, by enabling producers in critical ecosystems of South America to meet growing demand without converting additional land for farming. We work in partnership with value chain actors to halt habitat conversion caused by commodity production in highly biodiverse and threatened biomes, including the Brazilian Amazon, the Brazilian Cerrado, the Gran Chaco of Argentina and Paraguay and Indonesia.
The ZCC Project Management Specialist will play a critical role in project management of the designated project portfolio, as well as ad hoc projects under the strategy.
They will serve as the point person for the assembled team within a portfolio of projects and collaboratively develop and implement team management processes, work plans, and timelines to ensure the teams across-geographies and business units, execute on deliverables within available resources and timelines, following the outcomes and scope of each project and specific donor and other internal/external requirements. The position will report to the ZCC Associate Strategy Manager.
This is a dynamic position that works across many different teams, cultures, time zones. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic to help others and drive actions to support the team on the advancement on project goals; able to manage multiple complex work streams with different team members working style and professional backgrounds; acutely identify areas for improved performance and raise early indicators to effectively deliver the results of a project.
This is a full-time remote position, preferably for candidates located in Brazil, where most of the work is deployed, and the team is based. Fluency in Portuguese and English is highly desirable. Please submit your resume and cover letter in English only.
We’re Looking for You:
The ZCC Project Management Specialist will be responsible for managing large-scale complex projects that span multiple geographies, teams, business units and functions. They will be allocated into multiple projects that can or not be part of the same portfolio. The Specialist will coordinate the progress, execution and achievements of the project goals and success factors, and will develop project plans, budgets, monitoring, evaluation and learning metrics, and schedules with input from team members.
They will critically assess project outcome and objectives scope, ensuring all risks and dependencies are addressed in the project plan to deliver successful project results that support the fulfillment of the objectives. They will collaborate with the project team members to help them in establishing a good dynamic and cadence for the project execution meetings.
The ZCC Project Management Specialist will obtain go/no-go decisions at all project decision points from the Strategy and Project Director, Managers, Leads or Sponsors and identify and obtain approval for project deliverables from the appropriate staff or teams. Throughout the project lifecycle, they will monitor and measure project progress, raise concerns about the execution and help the team in conducting corrective action as necessary, and communicate project status information to all stakeholders involved. They will be responsible for writing simultaneously donor narratives of the projects progress and report progress of the indicators and metrics defined following the templates and standards of each project and donor or internal requirements, liaising with the operations, contracts, finance, donor relationship manager, project team members and externally with the programmatic team of the donor.
They will perform risk management, issue resolution, and conflict management, and collaboratively solve complex problems. They will utilize project management methodologies and processes and ensure all organizational, divisional and donor standards are met.
We're looking for a dedicated, organized person with energy and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and effectively and work collaboratively across different teams, geographies and levels, building productive relationship in ways that enhance mutual trust and commitment. Organization, teamwork, analytic thinking, adaptability, flexibility, communication, time management, good writing and the ability to influence without authority are essential in this role.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Develop and support the implementation of projects following project management standards, policies and procedures, donor requirements.
- Monitor, develop, and share internal and external reports about the progress of the different projects of the strategy.
- Support technical staff using various project management methods such as adaptive management, iterative and rapid learning processes, software-based monitoring, collaborative work, etc.
- Organize virtual or in-personal kick-off meetings preparing agenda, content and moderating discussions among the team
- Ensure that projects are managed efficiently, cost-effectively, and in line with the donor's or internal funding sources' requirements.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies and external donor requirements.
- Coordinate the work of cross-functional teams towards a desired outcome and implementation of the conservation strategy.
- Support the management of project budgets and assist in developing budgets related to strategic projects.
- Manage several complex projects from a project perspective, including project team management, deadline setting, and execution management.
- Responsible for writing and submitting the narrative report of the project’s deliverables, liaising with the teams during the development of reports.
- Tracks spending on grants and coordinates spending updates between finance and multiple teams.
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Actively follow and promote our Code of Conduct both internally and externally and continuously and consistently demonstrating alignment with our values.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies and external requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- BA/BS, law or business degree and 5 years’ experience in project management, business administration, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Fluency in English and desired Portuguese.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Ability to work from home office and with different time zones
- Experience in engaging and facilitating virtual meetings
- Experience in writing managerial reports
- Experience in managing complex projects following project management standards
- Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Notion, planner, Mural, or another project management software
- Ability to travel domestically in Brazil and internationally occasionally
Desired Qualifications
- Other languages are desired but not mandatory
- Ability to manage and implement complex processes.
- Proficiency in interpreting guidelines and manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting data.
- Certification in project management.
- Strong communication skills
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma and Scrum.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to negotiate, influence, and persuade.
- Successful experience implementing strategic program goals
- Supervisor experience
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
