Corporate Services Manager, LandScale

OVERVIEW OF LANDSCALE:

LandScale is an innovative global initiative, co-lead by the Rainforest Alliance and Conservation International, which aims to drive improvements in sustainability at landscape scale. To do this, LandScale offers an integrated system to assess and communicate trusted information about landscape sustainability, comprising a rigorous sustainability assessment framework, detailed guidance, an online platform, and a validation mechanism. The LandScale system is available to any organization convening, implementing, or financing work to improve sustainability at landscape scale. In addition to scaling the use of the LandScale system, the initiative is working to demonstrate that the information generated by LandScale assessments can form the basis for innovative market, financial and policy mechanisms (e.g., sustainability linked loans, payment for ecosystem services, preferential sourcing) that can incentivize the actions needed to deliver improvements in sustainability at landscape scale. LandScale is developing a fee-based business model with the aim of becoming self-financing as soon as possible. We aim to develop a business model which ultimately shifts the cost of undertaking landscape assessments from landscape initiatives to the corporate sector, while unlocking more investment into landscapes. We envision this shift as being enabled through robust landscape data (for corporate decision making and capital allocation), that also supports due diligence (e.g., for EUDR and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive), disclosures (voluntary e.g., to CDP, TNFD and SBTN as well as regulatory e.g., CSRD) and claims. To bolster the independence of LandScale validation from assessments, required for robust claims, in 2025 we plan to develop a LandScale-Approved Service Provider (LASP) network. This will increase assessment and ongoing monitoring capacity in landscapes globally, via developing a network of trained consultants and organizations that can deliver or support quality delivery of LandScale assessments while also supporting the strengthening of monitoring capacity locally.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic Corporate Services Manager to lead LandScale’s development of corporate services to unlock private sector engagement in landscapes. You will lead on the scoping of LandScale services to support compliance-ready corporate disclosures and claims in relation to landscape investment and support. You will also lead the development and implementation of the LandScale-Approved Service Provider (LASP) model and network to build independent assessment capacity necessary for robust claims. You are an excellent project manager, good networker, a strategic thinker, and a well-organized self-starter with a “can do” attitude and agility to work across multiple projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leading a cross-organizational matrix team to draw from internal expertise on assurance and other technical areas, develop and implement a strategy for strengthening assurance across LandScale’s services to unlock private sector market adoption by meeting the assurance needs of key prospective corporate and investor landscape supporters.
• Lead the development and implementation of LandScale corporate services that support compliant-ready disclosures and claims, to help unlock corporate support into landscapes. Working closely with the LandScale Technical Manager, this will include leading the scoping and operationalisation of LandScale’s Claims service.
• Lead the development and implementation of the LandScale-Approved Service Provider (LASP) model and network. Work with the LandScale Operations Manager and Technical Manager in the model design, internal management procedures and training. Work with the LandScale Business Development & Innovation Manager to build a network of approved services providers.
• Lead the scoping of potential LandScale services for investors, to help unlock inward investment into landscapes.
• Monitor relevant standards and frameworks to ensure alignment with assurance requirements for disclosures, claims, and potential investment services.
• Lead internal matrix teams and external consultants as needed.
• Represent LandScale in relevant partnerships, working groups and at external events.
• Support the LandScale team in other areas as appropriate in the delivery of its strategy to achieve its mission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture, natural resources, environmental management, international development, economics, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience.
• Experience working with or within agribusiness or finance companies to advance sustainable sourcing and/or investment decisions.
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder initiatives or landscape partnerships.
• Experience working with sustainability certification and verification standards.
• Strong understanding of sustainability and ESG regulatory frameworks, disclosures and target-setting initiatives.
• Proven track record of taking projects from inception to delivery.
• Experience in movement-building for sustainability change or outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Proficiency in Spanish, French, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia is a plus.
• Positive and professional approach to collaboration, including strong facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Cultural awareness and the ability to work well with stakeholders and partners from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time, both nationally and internationally.
  
  

Deadline: 21 February 2025
Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in locations where the Rainforest Alliance is registered will be considered.

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.