Selection process developed by Matteria
Location and Work Arrangement
Permanent residence in one of the capital cities of the Brazilian Legal Amazon - Remote
About Us
The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) mission is to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative and practical solutions to the world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world where people and nature thrive. We are rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which include a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love life at TNC. Want to get a better sense of what TNC is all about? Check out our Instagram account and the 2024 Annual Report, as well as #tncbrasil on LinkedIn.
Our goal is to foster an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the world feel a sense of belonging and know that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know that we will only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Beyond the requirements listed in our job postings, we recognize that people bring talent and experiences from outside of work. The diversity of experiences and skills, combined with passion, is the key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply—we’d love to hear from you. To quote what countless TNC team members say: “You’ll join us because of our mission and stay because of our people.”
Our Impact
71 million hectares: the positive impact we aim to achieve by 2030, with a focus on conservation and improved management.
187,000 km of rivers: the length of waterways for which TNC Brazil seeks to promote conservation solutions and public policies by 2030.
369 million metric tons of CO₂: the volume of emissions the organization aims to capture or help reduce by 2030.
3.8 million people: the population that TNC Brazil intends to support, with special attention to traditional peoples and Indigenous communities, expanding their participation in decision-making forums and their leadership in land management.
In the Amazon, recent examples help illustrate the scale of this work: a Payment for Environmental Services project in Terra do Meio involves 14 collective territories, 3,000 people, and 10 million hectares under sustainable use protection.
Purpose of the Position
To lead TNC’s strategy in the Brazilian Amazon based on a systemic view of the region, balancing conservation with socioeconomic development. The challenge will be to connect different agendas, stakeholders, and investments to transform strategies into concrete and scalable results capable of preserving the forest, promoting responsible production, and generating value for the people and communities of the Amazon.
Key Responsibilities
Monitor and implement TNC’s strategy and Theory of Change for the Brazilian Amazon, translating the institutional vision into priorities, initiatives, and measurable results.
Lead a broad and diverse portfolio, connecting agendas related to sustainable agriculture and livestock production, the protection and enhancement of standing forests, indigenous peoples and traditional communities, climate, financial mechanisms, and public policies.
Ensure implementation capacity and delivery, transforming strategies into concrete results, monitoring progress, and adapting plans in response to changes in context.
Promote a vision for the socioeconomic development of the Amazon, integrating conservation with responsible production and identifying economic levers capable of enhancing the value of standing forests.
Identify opportunities to scale up successful initiatives, moving beyond the pilot-project model and promoting solutions with the potential for systemic transformation and large-scale implementation.
Build and strengthen strategic relationships with state and federal governments, the private sector, financial institutions, producers, academia, civil society organizations, funders, indigenous peoples, Quilombolas, extractivists, and other traditional communities.
Influence public policies, governance structures, and decision-making processes relevant to the sustainable development of the Amazon.
Lead and support fundraising efforts in Brazil and internationally, maintaining a consistent pipeline of opportunities and strategic relationships with funders.
Oversee the financial and budgetary management of a large portfolio, ensuring the efficient use of resources, financial sustainability, and institutional compliance.
Lead managers and multidisciplinary teams, strengthening structures, responsibilities, autonomy, accountability, and technical and managerial capabilities.
Foster integration and synergy across different areas of operation, avoiding silos and promoting the sharing of context and information to inform decision-making.
Maintain and strengthen the diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda within the unit, incorporating it into leadership and team management.
Represent TNC institutionally in national and international forums, negotiations, and strategic venues.
Requirements and Skills to Work with Us
Education
Experience
At least 10 years of professional experience in positions related to socioeconomic development, natural resource management, public policy, conservation, or related fields, with a proven track record in complex, large-scale contexts.
Extensive experience in defining and implementing strategies, with responsibility for complex portfolios, prioritizing initiatives, managing risks, and delivering measurable results.
Proven experience leading managers and multidisciplinary teams, including talent development, team building, and performance management.
A track record of multisectoral coordination, establishing relationships and conducting complex negotiations with governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, communities, funders, and other strategic stakeholders.
Experience in government relations and public policy, including the ability to influence agendas, decision-making processes, and the institutional conditions necessary to achieve results at scale.
Experience in the financial and budgetary management of large-scale programs, combining strategic vision with the ability to monitor implementation.
Experience in fundraising and donor relations, contributing to the development and maintenance of a funding pipeline in Brazil and/or internationally.
A professional background demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the Amazonian context—including its socioeconomic, productive, environmental, political, and territorial dynamics—will be particularly valued.
Experience with financial mechanisms, structured finance, the private sector, or economic development—especially when applied to socio-environmental and/or territorial challenges—will be a plus.
Knowledge and Skills
A systemic view of the Amazon: the ability to understand the region beyond a single thematic agenda, connecting socioeconomic development, conservation, agricultural production, forests, climate, indigenous peoples and traditional communities, public policy, and investments.
Strategic and large-scale thinking: the ability to identify the key levers for transforming a system and to develop solutions that can progress from specific initiatives to larger-scale results.
Management and implementation: the ability to translate strategy into action, set priorities, monitor results, and reallocate resources and actions in response to changing circumstances.
Coordination and negotiation: the ability to navigate among differing interests, build common agendas, and mobilize public, private, and social actors around shared objectives.
Economic and financial acumen: the ability to understand the role of investments, financial mechanisms, the private sector, and economic models in building sustainable solutions for the Amazon.
Fundraising and resource mobilization: the ability to develop relationships with funders, identify opportunities, and contribute strategically to the financial sustainability of the portfolio.
Advanced spoken and written English, given the international interactions, presentations, and events inherent to the position. Fluent English is desirable, and knowledge of Spanish will be considered a plus.
Competencies
Systems thinking and strategic thinking: connects different variables and agendas, understands interdependencies, and maintains a broad view of the region without losing the ability to prioritize.
Implementation and results-oriented: Transforms strategy into action, monitors execution, and maintains a consistent focus on deliverables and expected impact.
Adaptive leadership: leads confidently in contexts of uncertainty and complexity, being able to revise plans, redirect priorities, and mobilize the team in the face of change.
Influence and consensus-building: establishes relationships based on trust and is able to bring together stakeholders with different interests and perspectives.
People leadership: develops strong, technically skilled teams; shares context; promotes autonomy; and prevents the formation of silos in decision-making.
Collaboration and integration: navigates a diverse portfolio without needing to be an expert in every subject area, connecting knowledge, people, and initiatives to generate synergies.
Proactivity and a sense of ownership: anticipates needs, identifies opportunities, and mobilizes resources and people to drive the strategy forward.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion: incorporates this agenda into their leadership style, team development, and the building of an inclusive organizational culture.
Our Team Profile
The Nature Conservancy is rooted in our mission and guided by our values. We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all colleagues around the world feel a sense of belonging and have their unique contributions valued. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we work, recognizing that a diversity of experiences and skills is essential for innovation.
“You’ll join us for our mission—and you’ll stay for our people.”
Key Qualities for Working with Us
The ideal candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to make a direct impact on global conservation efforts.
They should have a strong interest in environmental sustainability, biodiversity protection, and the conservation of critical ecosystems in Brazil.
Reasons to join our team
The opportunity to lead a highly relevant strategy for one of the most important biomes for biodiversity and global climate stability.
Addressing complex challenges that connect economic development, sustainable production, conservation, climate, communities, and public policy.
Leading a diverse portfolio and a multidisciplinary team within an organization with a global reach.
The opportunity to bring together governments, the private sector, investors, funders, communities, and civil society to drive systemic change.
The freedom to develop solutions that go beyond pilot projects and achieve scale and systemic transformation.
Important details before applying for this position
The position requires permanent residence in a capital city of the Brazilian Amazon, working remotely. It also requires availability for domestic and international travel and occasional work in remote locations and under challenging weather or terrain conditions.
CAIA Ingeniería is a specialized consulting firm focused on environmental and energy solutions that helps organizations transition toward more sustainable development models. The company has managed over COP $270 billion in tax benefits related to environmental and energy investments for clients, and provides advisory services in carbon markets and climate financing. CAIA works with companies, industry associations, financial entities, and public organizations, while actively participating in developing regulatory instruments and sustainability policies in Colombia. With a Vision 2030 strategy aimed at sustainable growth across Latin America and the Caribbean, the firm delivers innovative, personalized, and high-impact solutions to strengthen client competitiveness and generate progress in the territories where they operate.
