Sao Paulo, Brazil

The Forests, Land Use, and Agriculture area at WRI works to develop solutions that ensure the world can nutritiously feed 10 billion people by 2050, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, curbing deforestation, and alleviating poverty. Our research has identified a menu of solutions to create a sustainable food future.

FOLU Brazil, established in 2023 as part of the global FOLU coalition, works on transforming food and land use systems through public policies, partnerships, and data-driven solutions. In 2024, it prioritized supporting a national sustainable agriculture program and engaging in global climate goals.

With nine strategic partners, its actions are structured around four pillars: resilient food systems, healthy diets, innovation in public policies, and presence in global forums.

In the coming years, FOLU Brazil will focus on: strengthening data-based advocacy, expanding field actions to influence policies, and improving its governance. The coalition seeks to position Brazil as a global reference in sustainable food systems.

This position is currently hosted by WRI Brazil and is linked to the FOLU Brazil platform. As FOLU evolves globally and locally, the hosting arrangement may be transferred to another partner organization over time. Therefore, this is a temporary CLT position, with an initial duration of 1 year, extendable for another 1 year.

As FOLU Brazil Platform Leader, you will be responsible for implementing the national strategy for the sustainable transformation of food and land use systems. You will lead the FOLU Brazil platform and act as a strategic link between local partners, the Global FOLU Secretariat, WRI Brazil (anchor institution), and co-secretariat partner Systemiq.

The main objective of the role is to drive progress towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable food system in Brazil, strengthening the FOLU Brazil platform as a catalyst for change. The position involves strengthening governance, mobilizing resources, and maximizing the platform's impact. You will be responsible for structuring processes, institutional relationships, and management mechanisms that ensure greater operational and strategic autonomy for the coalition.

The role requires a balance between operational management and strategic vision, including daily coordination of the platform and support for developing collaborations and fundraising. You will be the main point of contact between coalition members and will represent FOLU Brazil in forums with governments, the private sector, and civil society — also at an international level.

A differential of this position is the opportunity to work in a global network dedicated to transforming food systems, aligning the Brazilian agenda with international priorities. Your role will be to connect local initiatives to FOLU's global strategy and position Brazil as a protagonist in this transition.

You will work closely with FOLU Brazil's partner organizations, reporting administratively to WRI Brazil and maintaining constant coordination with the Global FOLU Secretariat for strategic alignment and knowledge exchange.

Key activities and/or responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership (25%)

• Lead the strategic development of FOLU Brazil, including strengthening governance, refining strategy, and ensuring transparency
• Strategically position the coalition with key stakeholders and represent it in meetings (including high-level ones) with governments, the private sector, and civil society
• Establish clear goals and support their execution, aligned with FOLU's strategic outcomes
• Provide visible leadership and cultivate institutional relationships with key stakeholders in forums related to agriculture, food, and land use
• Participate in the construction of FOLU's global and national strategic frameworks
• Work with partners to foster institutional relationships and learning opportunities with other FOLU platforms worldwide

Coalition Project and Activity Management (25%)

• Support the administrative and financial management of the platform, according to WRI Brazil's procedures, in coordination with the global secretariat
• Lead accountability processes to funders, including financial and narrative reports, in collaboration with WRI Brazil and the global FOLU team
• Oversee the daily operations of FOLU Brazil, including compliance with WRI's internal processes (HR, finance, and risk management)
• Coordinate with coalition partners to ensure compliance with norms and policies
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, ensuring impact reports

Communication and Strategic Partnerships (20%)

• Support the implementation of FOLU Brazil's communication strategy
• Actively participate in FOLU's national and international governance forums
• Develop new partnerships to deepen the transformation of food systems
• Identify South-South cooperation opportunities and strategic articulations
• Facilitate knowledge sharing with other national platforms

Fundraising (30%)

• Lead and support the preparation of high-quality funding proposals, in collaboration with partners, WRI Brazil, and the global secretariat
• Maintain and develop relationships with funders and foundations, aligning support with FOLU Brazil's strategic goals
• Work with the global secretariat's fundraising team
• Develop a national resource mobilization strategy
• Coordinate with partners to identify funding opportunities
• Monitor regional and national trends to guide fundraising initiatives

Requirements and Necessary Qualifications

• Completed higher education in areas related to food systems transformation, such as Agronomy, Food Policy, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Biology, Social Sciences, or similar
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in topics related to agriculture, food production, markets, and public policies
• Minimum of 4 years of experience leading complex teams and projects
• Previous experience in people management
• Experience in roles requiring attention to detail, project management, articulation with diverse stakeholders, and institutional representation
• Ability to communicate with diverse audiences, including academics, professionals, business leaders, and public policy makers
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Experience with national and international organizations is a plus
• Full proficiency in English (written, spoken, and comprehension)

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary compatible with experience and training
• Temporary position for one year, with possibility of extension for another year
• 40 hours/week
• Transportation voucher
• Meal/food voucher on Caju Card
• Quality of Life Program
• Birthday Day Off
• Life insurance
• Hybrid work model
• Recess between Christmas and New Year