Value Chain Manager

São Paulo, Brazil

This position is currently hosted by WRI Brazil, within the Forests and Land Use Program. WRI works to develop solutions that ensure food security for 10 billion people by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating forest loss, and alleviating poverty.

WRI Brazil is looking for a person to act as Value Chain Manager, leading strategic initiatives that promote more sustainable, inclusive, and deforestation-free agricultural production chains. The position requires a combination of technical and strategic competencies, in addition to a strong capacity for articulation and engagement with various sectors.

This role has a transversal focus on developing solutions and strategies to reduce deforestation associated with value chains, especially soy and meat, working to positively influence supply and demand dynamics between countries, companies, suppliers, and public and private policymakers.

Main activities and/or responsibilities:

Engagement and institutional articulation

• Represent WRI Brazil in national and international articulations, participating in events, coalitions, working groups, and task forces related to the sustainability of agricultural value chains, with special attention to agendas associated with the elimination of deforestation and ecosystem conversion in soy and meat chains.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with public, private, multilateral organizations, academia, and civil society, promoting collaboration for transformative actions that favor more responsible and transparent chains.
• Promote and strengthen the use of tools and technologies related to land use and traceability of production chains, Global Forest Watch Pro, and other monitoring and verification solutions applied to the agricultural sector.
• Strategically communicate WRI's results, research, and recommendations to diverse audiences, including policymakers and the private sector, with a view to influencing more sustainable and deforestation-free production and consumption patterns.
• Work with other area managers for shared management in the program's strategy, reporting goals and progress, as well as leading the elaboration of interdisciplinary proposals and research.

Project portfolio management

• Lead the portfolio of projects related to the promotion of sustainable value chains, ensuring high-quality deliveries, on time and within budget, with a focus on initiatives that promote monitoring, traceability, and compliance with sectoral protocols.
• Design, plan, and implement studies and research that drive the Brazilian agricultural transition to environmentally sound, socially just, and economically viable systems, with special attention to supply and demand relationships in national and international markets.
• Identify and propose financial, regulatory, or market policies and instruments that promote better productive and commercial practices, both for small producers and for large-scale chains, especially in the soy and meat sectors.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical and analytical reports, scientific articles, and materials for knowledge dissemination, focusing on solutions to eliminate deforestation and foster traceability and transparency in agricultural chains.
• Contribute to the financial planning and management of strategic and operational demands of the program, as well as supervise narrative and financial reports for donors, ensuring quality, accuracy, and adherence to contractual requirements.
• Ensure the alignment of initiatives with the institutional strategies of WRI Brazil and WRI Global, particularly regarding the fight against deforestation in production chains.

Fundraising

• Identify funding opportunities and collaborate with the WRI Brazil Development team in preparing proposals and negotiating with funders, with an emphasis on projects aimed at promoting deforestation-free chains and implementing innovative monitoring and traceability solutions.
• Contribute to strengthening the area's project portfolio, aligned with WRI's strategic priorities and mission, with a special focus on acting on soy and meat chains.
• Cultivate relationships with donors and strategic partners, ensuring the financial sustainability of value chain projects and expanding the impact of institutional actions.

Team management

• Lead, supervise, and inspire the team responsible for value chain projects, working in alignment with the HR team, promoting a collaborative, diverse, and excellence-oriented environment, with a focus on developing competencies related to monitoring and traceability of production chains.
• Coordinate planning, monitoring, and performance evaluation processes, ensuring results delivery and continuous team development.
• Manage change and innovation processes, strengthening commitment and overcoming resistance, especially in implementing solutions that promote transparency and sustainability in value chains.
• Stimulate learning and knowledge exchange within the team and with other WRI areas, especially regarding market dynamics, priority productive sectors, and international commercial relations.
• Contribute to institutional and HR initiatives for promoting organizational policies and initiatives with the team.

Required Requirements and Qualifications

• Master's degree in areas such as Environmental Sciences, Agronomy, Economics, International Relations, Sustainability, or related fields.
• Desirable at least 10 years of experience transforming research and data into action, preferably in international non-profit organizations.
• Desirable minimum of 5 years in project management, ideally related to production chains, data tools, analysis, or visualization.
• Consolidated experience in leadership, people, and process management.
• Autonomy and ability to work independently, leading strategic initiatives, including in English.
• In-depth knowledge of the Brazilian context, including challenges and opportunities in production chains and related public policies, with a special focus on soy and meat chains.
• Familiarity with sectoral productive and commercial dynamics, as well as with international mechanisms for regulation, certification, verification, and traceability of agricultural chains.
• Understanding of international trade relations and how they influence supply and demand dynamics, especially in the context of agricultural commodities.
• Familiarity with finance and investment for the conservation and transformation of productive systems.
• Familiarity with the Paris Agreement, UNFCCC processes, and implications for the agricultural sector.
• Experience with publishing technical reports and articles.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including policymakers, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary compatible with experience and qualifications
• 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