Partnerships Lead, Accountability Framework initiative

ABOUT THE ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK INITIATIVE

The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is a collaborative effort to bring about a “new normal” of responsible supply chains that are protective of forests, other natural ecosystems, and human rights. It is led by a diverse coalition of more than 20 environmental and human rights NGOs from around the world. Rainforest Alliance leads the secretariat (“Backbone Team”) for this initiative, providing strategy development, technical support, stakeholder engagement and partnership, communications, coordination, and administration to support the work of the AFi and its partners around the world. For more information, please visit: https://accountability-framework.org.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We seek an ambitious, impact-driven, and pragmatic sustainability professional to lead the development and stewardship of high-value partnerships in support of the AFi’s mission. The Partnerships Lead will be responsible for initiating and advancing strategic partnerships towards three main objectives:

1. Expanding and deepening application of the Accountability Framework to establish high-impact sustainability policies, practices, and transparency measures in support of ecosystem protection and respect for human rights.
2. Establishing effective partnerships to support targeted expansion of the AFi’s work on high-priority issues at the nexus of land use, supply chains, conservation, and human rights.
3. Broadening the AFi’s funding base and pipeline by engaging with government, philanthropic, and individual funders around specific projects/proposals as well as sustained investment in the AFi’s systems change approach.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and oversee the AFi’s partnerships and engagement strategy, in consultation with the Director and other members of the AFi senior team.
• Initiate and manage key relationships with AFi Coalition members and allies, as well as national and international policy-makers, advocates, and experts focused on ESG issues in soft commodity production and trade.
• Together with AFi senior team colleagues, scope and prioritize potential new AFi workstreams to tackle high-priority issues within the AFi’s remit. Develop new partnerships and/or design stakeholder processes to advance selected new initiatives. These may address topics such as forest degradation, conversion of non-forest natural ecosystems, and other emerging threats to ecosystems from commodity supply chains.
• In coordination with the Director and with Rainforest Alliance’s institutional relations team, develop and steward relationships with prospective funders oriented around AFi’s multi-year strategy. Represent AFi and communicate its unique value through outreach, presentations, and attendance at events.
• Collaborate with the AFi Communications Lead to optimize how the AFi’s value proposition is articulated to key external stakeholders – including companies, financial institutions, policy makers, and prospective funders – to best support the initiative’s partnership, impact, and revenue goals.
• Contribute to the AFi’s overall strategy and implementation as an integral member of the AFI Backbone Team and senior team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates should have a passion for protecting nature and human rights paired with a strong drive and sense of urgency to accomplish globally significant change. They should bring original vision, entrepreneurial initiative, and a deep network in the sustainability field.

Specific requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or in a sustainability-related field (e.g., natural resource management, forestry, agronomy, or social sciences); Master’s degree preferred;
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience, including leadership roles related to the position;
• Proven experience successfully building portfolios of high-value partnerships and funding or business relationships, preferably in a nonprofit or start-up setting;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively represent an organization, brand, or service to its customers/users and stakeholders;
• Broad network of professional contacts in the sustainability field, such as business leaders, policy makers, thought leaders, government and philanthropic funders, and high net worth individuals interested in sustainability topics;
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with an ability to influence and engage a wide range of partners and build long-term relationships with an optimistic, positive, and charismatic disposition;
• Significant experience working to address environmental and social risk linked to agricultural or forestry supply chains;
• Up-to-date familiarity with major corporate sustainability mandates and approaches, including government regulation, international policy frameworks, climate and nature target-setting, and voluntary and mandatory sustainability disclosure;
• Exceptional English written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including a proven ability to persuade through effective communications;
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills;
• Highly collaborative orientation and eagerness to contribute to a tight-knit, purpose-driven team;
• Willingness to travel approximately 20-25% of the time, domestically and internationally.

Deadline: 10 January 2025

Salary: For USA based candidates only:  

• National Salary range (Excluding NY and DC) - $76,386- $109,109

• New York Salary Range - $90,744- $129,634

• Washington DC Salary Range - $87,832- $125,475

Notes:

• Only candidates authorized to work in the Netherlands, the UK or the US will be considered.
• It is possible for this to be a fully remote role.
   

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability and any other protected group.