Project Officer Huila

Project Officer

Based in Pitalito or Neiva, Colombia

Full time position, local contract

Field travels: Around 75%

Start : ASAP

PUR Description

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in supply chain sustainability. We design, develop, and implement nature-based solutions projects to help our corporate partners reduce their environmental footprint and meet their ESG targets. Many of PUR's projects fall within the categories of insetting, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, forest conservation, and landscape restoration.

These projects aim to introduce more sustainable agricultural practices, regenerate and preserve ecosystems, and socially and economically empower local communities. Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries, with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto.

Industry Description

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions (NbS) markets. 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 address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic and social benefits for local communities.

Market KPIs:

• If combined with deep decarbonisation 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 (voluntary carbon markets ) with $9bn invested between 2020 and 2022 (Sylvera, 2023)

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

PUR is seeking a Project Officer to join its Colombian team.

As a key member of the Colombian team, you will report to the Project Manager.

The successful candidate will be involved in PUR’s new and existing projects in the development, coordination, management and monitoring of ecosystem restoration, agroforestry initiatives with Colombian agricultural communities.

The main responsibilities will be, but not limited to :

Project supervision:

• Constantly visit the field in order to check the quality of our projects. This includes, trees quality, processes quality, data collection efficiency, producers' commitment, nursery quality, technical model implementation, etc.

Project management:

• Coordinate project schedules, collect and manage data for internal reporting, review project deliverables, and update reporting and communication materials provided by the Comms & Mktg team. 

• Work closely with the Project Manager and in-field partners to implement project activities, control quality of implementation, improve proceedings, and coordinate impact monitoring activities.

• Understand and train field partners on reporting and monitoring tools needed to execute the project and measure project impacts. 

• Contribute to regular reporting on actuals, budget & reforecast.

Project development:

• Support the development of strategy plans for new and existing projects, aligning with key industry frameworks and/or carbon accounting methodologies. 

• Support the programs team in identifying and pursuing opportunities to scale projects. 

• Contribute to regular reporting on project progress.

Deliverable management:

• Maintain internal tools updated (ERP, project tools.) 

• Provide field insights to support the production of client’s deliverables and development of communication and marketing content.

Project monitoring:

• Be responsible for the data collection with the support of Field Data Officers.

• Adapt and implement data collection forms to the project's local context. 

• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of data collection with local partners and local teams, providing training when necessary. 

• Manage field deployment of data collection. 

• Consolidate and analyze data projects outputs and report to the Project Manager and the region's Field Data Officer any issue. 

• Support the implementation of the project's impact monitoring strategies.

Partnership and representation:

• Supervise & work with local partners (cooperatives, associations, farmers, implementing partners). 

• Represent PUR at the manager’s request.

If you have project skills: development and implementation of work plans, conversation skills with different audiences, liaising with relevant stakeholders, knowledge of the Huila region, data collection skills, You are passionate about agroforestry projects, reforestation initiatives, and you are a real team player: This position is for you!

We are looking for a candidate with:

• Minimum of 2 years experience in sustainable agriculture projects or in consulting for the optimization of agroforestry practices.

• Studies in ecology, forest engineering, agronomy, or equivalent.

• Knowledge/professional experience related to the coffee supply chain and the Huila region.

• Lives in Pitalito or Neiva

• Field experience and communication with producers, technicians, among others.

• Digital Tools: Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.

• Entrepreneurship mindset: autonomy, ability to design new activities, proactivity to consult other teammates and local experts.

• Must be fluent in Spanish. English is a plus.