Kawari Fund Manager

Position: Kawari Fund Manager

Reports to: Kawari Fund Director

The Kawari Fund aims to scale jurisdictional carbon initiatives that respect and strengthen rights by supporting social integrity, adequate representation, and informed participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) in carbon negotiations. Kawari Fund was launched in April 2023 with seed funding from the Climate and Land Use Alliance and the Hewlett Foundation and is administered by Re:wild.

Kawari grants provide nimble and dedicated support to enable the development of initiatives with high social integrity and high impact for climate, biodiversity, and IPs and LCs. The Fund provides a trusted source of financial support for IPs and LCs to more fully understand the carbon market so as to strengthen their role and negotiating position, allow them to make informed decisions, and ensure that they benefit equitably from carbon trading schemes with which they choose to engage. The Fund also helps support NGOs and governments working to achieve high-integrity emissions reductions.

Re:wild is seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented, bilingual professional to manage the implementation of the Kawari Fund grant-making program. The Manager will work closely with the Fund Director, external consultants, and Re:wild’s programmatic, operations, and communications teams.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of this innovative fund

• Liaise with Re:wild’s regional programs on potential opportunities and partners for Kawari support

• Support Fund Director with meetings of the Fund Advisory Council and bi-lateral meetings with Council members, partners, and donors as needed

• Work with partners to compile assets (photos, content) that can help communicate Kawari success stories and work with Re:wild’s communications team to develop communications materials as needed

• Assist with fundraising efforts (proposals, pitch decks, donor meetings)

• Attend meetings with partners and represent Kawari at regional and global meetings as needed

• Manage the grant making system of the Kawari Fund, working closely with Re:wild’s operations team:

  • Support grantees in using Re:wild’s grants management system

  • Work with partners to develop strong proposals

  • Review and assess reports to comply with grant requirements

  • Amend when necessary workplans of grantees to reflect on the ground realities

  • Develop and maintain organizational system for Fund documents

Experience and Qualifications

• Commitment to and passion for Re:wild’s mission, vision, and values.

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in international nature conservation or related field.

• Knowledge and experience related to forest carbon finance initiatives (e.g. REDD+) in tropical forest geographies.

• Experience with grant making systems.

• Experience and skill at working with different stakeholders, particularly community-based organizations.

• Experience in rights-based approaches or engagement with IPLCs.

• Highly organized and detail oriented.

• Strong commitment to collaborative and participatory approaches.

• Experience with fundraising.

• Persistence and ability to overcome obstacles and to take calculated risks to accomplish goals.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

Fluency in English and Spanish required. Portuguese and/or French proficiency preferred.

Ability to undertake regular international travel and work across time zones.

Location

Flexible, Central or South America preferred

Position

Full-time

Compensation

Re:wild offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary commensurate with experience.

About Us

Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous Peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need.

At Re:wild, we work with partners, Indigenous people and communities in more than 90 countries to protect and restore the diversity of life on Earth. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a CV or resume and cover letter to careers@rewild.org with subject line “Kawari Fund Manager” no later than September 30, 2023.