Livelihoods Specialist

Livelihoods Specialist  

Based in Paris, France or Toronto, Canada  

Full time position, local contract 

Starting date: ASAP 2025

PUR Description 

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as ‘nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis. 

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others. 

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto. 

Industry 

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions markets. These markets are closely linked with the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) when NbS projects produce carbon credits that can be traded on the VCM. The NbS market has recently gained traction as society recognizes the invaluable services provided by nature and the need to preserve, restore, and harness these services to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges. To be considered a nature-based solution, projects must effectively address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities. 

Market KPIs: 

• If combined with deep decarbonization efforts, NbS projects could provide up to 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2023). 

• NbS project credits make up the largest volumes of carbon credits available in the VCM and continue to attract the most investment, with $9 billion invested between 2020 and 2022 (Sylvera, 2023). 

• In 2021, the VCM was estimated to be worth $2 billion, four times its 2020 value. By 2030, the market is expected to reach $10 to $40 billion (BCG, 2022). 

• 5,307 companies have set science-based targets—a 4.2x increase since 2022—and are a significant driver of demand within the NbS and VCM markets (SBTi, 2024). 

• To meet their SBTi targets and mitigate their climate-risk exposure, organizations around the world will need to invest in the type of projects PUR develops. Today, very few market players have a proven track record in NbS project implementation, and PUR is therefore well-positioned to benefit from the market’s expansion. 

PUR is seeking a Livelihoods specialist with experience and expertise in the design, development, and monitoring of livelihoods, carbon permanence strategies and farm economic impacts within projects in agricultural landscapes. You will be asked to lead the evolution of PUR’s livelihood offer by working closely with international technical teams and manage complex topics related to project design, stakeholder engagement, risk management, relevant industry frameworks and impact monitoring.  

You will report to the Head of Carbon based in Europe. 

The main responsibilities in a non-exhaustive manner of this ambitious role will be: 

Product Development, Piloting and Management 

• Lead the refinement of the (carbon) Permanence Strategy in coordination with the Operations team; including its framing, socialisation with corporate clients and execution with project managers; provide suggested modifications based on specifics of project objectives and geographic location (tropical versus temperate region); 

• Lead the review of current financial incentives (short term and long term) and work with the operations team to revise payments based on updated methodology and data; support the tracking of payments and coordination with potential partners/ digital service providers;  

• Lead the socialisation of PUR’s Carbon Equity Offer (benefit sharing scheme), review the design, and lead on its development & testing; modify carbon equity model based on project and client’s preferences; develop pitch to bring clients on board to the carbon equity model; 

• Develop the methodology for baselining and evaluation of livelihood and farm economic impact models (aligning with available network of data); identify key indicators to track and report on and propose new data that should be collected to track performance in livelihoods; 

• Select the best industry framework(s) to align on benefit sharing and livelihood activities; 

• Based on resource availability and timing, support the progressive scaling, implementation and adaptive management of the above items across PUR’s global portfolio of projects – starting with Priority Countries/Projects. 

Research & Design 

• Perform technical research (through literature reviews, expert interviews and in-field data collection) to continually improve internal technical capacity and inform project design and adaptive management for livelihood and agriculture economics topics across the organization; 

• Do Market & industry mapping for best practices to meet / exceed client social programming requirements and framework demands with robust scientific support; 

• Support regional teams in piloting livelihood and agriculture economics MRV approaches; 

• With other members of the Product team, develop innovative internal project evaluation models for livelihood and agriculture economics; 

• Conduct literature reviews and write blogs; white papers on the benefits of payments for ecosystem services; agroforestry and other relevant topics. 

Industry Engagement & Expertise 

• Act as a key representative for PUR’s livelihood and agriculture economics interests and offer externally – to industry working groups, frameworks/certifications, partners and clients, in partnership with External Affairs team (e.g. Living Income Community of Practice); 

• With the support of the Marketing and Communications Team, engage market through speaking engagements and webinars, the publishing of technical marketing material and attendance at conferences. 

Training & Education 

• Support PUR’s global team by developing internal education material appropriate for various audiences; 

• Support PUR’s commercial team through the engagement and provision of technical trainings and materials to clients and partners. 

We are looking for a candidate with: 

• Master's or equivalent degree from a broad range of disciplines will be considered including international development, rural development, agricultural economics, or similar;

• At least 10 years of experience in livelihood topics; 

• Proven track record of industry engagement and network in the context of farmer livelihoods and nature-based solutions; living Income and benefit sharing; equitable business models; carbon equity; or related fields; 

• Field experience in agriculture in the regions where PUR operates, especially working with smallholder farmers; 

• Experience with economic model for farms and living income 

• Strong project management and organizational skills, including a high level of teamwork, goal setting, workflow and budget management, and a focus on delivery; the ability to coordinate across multiple geographies and time zones is essential; 

• Experience in cocoa or coffee value chains considered a strong asset; 

• Ability to navigate and balance corporate interests with farmer priorities; 

• Strong sense of accountability and commitment/follow-through; 

• Excellent communication skills to be able to represent PUR at conferences; 

• Looks for impact by making decisions based on facts and critical thinking; 

• Fluent in English. Spanish or French is considered an asset; 

• Flexible to travel on a need-basis according to the projects. 

Recruitment process : 

• HR interview 

• Interview with the Head of Carbon 

• Case study interview with the Carbon team  

• Interview with the Chief of Product & References check 

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.  

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique. 

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment.  If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.