Cool Earth | Country Manager, Peru

Closing date: 31st December. Applications for this role will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We reserve the right to close the role if we find a suitable applicant. Please therefore submit your application as soon as possible.

About Cool Earth

Cool Earth is a climate charity that protects the rainforest by supporting the people who live there. We have been working alongside local and Indigenous rainforest communities for over 15 years in the three largest and most important rainforests in the world: the Amazon, The Congo Rainforest, and the Papua New Guinea Rainforest. Indigenous and local communities have been protecting the rainforest for thousands of years but are now facing a humanitarian crisis, lacking necessities like safe drinking water, infrastructure, healthcare, and stable incomes.

This makes rainforest communities vulnerable to exploitation by illegal loggers and extractive industries, who pressure them to sell their land. Once these industries take over, Indigenous peoples are displaced, losing their ancestral homes, culture, and traditional ways of life, while the rainforest is destroyed. Without these forests to regulate the earth’s temperature, the climate crisis will only worsen. So what do we do to help?

By working in collaboration with these communities, we help support their livelihoods, improve health, sanitation and education, and provide tech to help monitor their rainforest. Our main programme involves providing flexible and direct resources (cash, data) to rainforest communities so that they can decide how best to use it in order to improve their quality of life. Rainforest communities can only defend their land from illegal loggers and greedy land grabbers when they themselves are resilient and strong. We help them get to that point.

This is an exciting time to join a growing and dynamic Cool Earth team, as we look for ways to scale up our ambitions to deliver the best methods to support indigenous and local communities in the three largest expanses of tropical rainforest.

About the role

The Peru Country Manager will play a critical role in managing the organizational functions of Cool Earth in Peru. This includes overseeing ongoing programmes, supporting management of our operations and communications, and providing direct line management to in-country teams. Working closely with the Head of Programmes, the role will also involve refining our local approach and exploring opportunities within Peru, as well as aligning the team with the global strategy. In addition, the Country Manager will be responsible for safety, security, and safeguarding in Peru and will collaborate with the Head of Operations to ensure effective management of operational responsibilities. The Country Manager will also play a key role in supporting policy work related to Cool Earth’s mission.
This position will be based in Lima, Peru, and the salary range is between S/. 14,500 and S/. 16,500 soles.

Job description: What you’ll do

Programmes and Project Management

• Oversee all Cool Earth programmes in Peru, including the planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring timely execution, compliance with objectives, and adaptability to changing local contexts.
• Work closely with the Head of Programmes and programmes managers to refine and implement Cool Earth’s approach in Peru, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic objectives, mission, values, and the needs of Indigenous and local communities.
• Ensure regular monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks are implemented effectively to inform decision-making and program refinement.
• Manage and monitor project budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial accountability.

Strategic Organizational Development

• Oversee Cool Earth’s operation in Peru, supported by the Operations Manager and working closely with the Head of Operations, to ensure the smooth functioning of day-to-day activities.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to develop, review, and implement organizational objectives, values, and strategies in Peru.
• Act as the main point of contact between the UK and PNG teams and the in-country team in Peru.
• Provide regular updates and reports on programme progress, challenges, and opportunities to the Senior Leadership Team.

Safeguarding, safety, security and risk management

• Take overall responsibility for Cool Earth Peru’s safeguarding efforts and protocols to protect community partners and IPLCs we work with.
• Lead and implement comprehensive safety and security protocols in Peru with support from the Operations Manager, including risk assessments and registers, prevention, crisis/incident management, and emergency response in field and programme operations.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of staff, partners, and community members involved in projects by proactively addressing risks and coordinating swift action plans during crises.
• Ensure all staff and partners are fully trained in safeguarding, safety, and security policies and practices, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to violations.
• Monitor local safety conditions and implement necessary actions to maintain a secure operating environment.

Operations and Finance

• Oversee all operational activities in Peru, collaborating with the Operations Manager to ensure compliance with the Peru legal framework, internal policies, and safeguarding protocols.
• Work closely with the Peru Operations Manager, supported by the Peru operations team, and the global Senior Finance Manager to ensure smooth financial operations, reporting, and budget management.
• Act as one of the legal representatives for Cool Earth Peru.

Team leadership and line management

• Provide leadership, support, and line management to the in-country team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and decision-making for the in-country team.
• Ensure staff development through mentoring, training, and professional growth opportunities.
• Oversee team performance, providing regular feedback and conducting performance reviews.

Communication and representation

• Act as the key representative for Cool Earth in Peru, building strong relationships with government agencies, donors, local NGOs, Indigenous groups, and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with the communications team to share project successes and challenges, providing relevant content for reports and social media.
• Serve as the point of contact for media inquiries and public relations efforts in the region.

Policy & Advocacy Support

• Support Cool Earth’s policy-related initiatives, working to influence positive environmental and social change.
• Represent Cool Earth at webinars and events to talk about our work and advocate for our approach.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

• Improve and embed EDI initiatives and processes as well as learning opportunities across the Peru Programmes team and Cool Earth partnerships.

This is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may need to be undertaken in this role. It may be necessary to undertake other duties as and when required.

Skills and Experience

You will have the following essential skills and abilities:

• Fluent in Spanish and proficient in English (both written and spoken).
• Proven experience in organizational and project management, preferably in the environmental or development sector.
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in conservation or development projects.
• Experience working in a high-risk field environment and the ability to manage existing and new risks.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a track record of managing diverse teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, with a sensitivity to cultural differences.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in remote and challenging environments.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and safety protocols.
• Experience managing budgets and financial reporting.
• High level of competency with the Google and Microsoft Office suite.
• Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian and environmental principles of Cool Earth.
• A commitment to EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion).
• Alignment with Cool Earth values of “smart,” “driven,” “open,” and “locally-led.”

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Equal Opportunities

At Cool Earth, we are committed to equal opportunity and celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all applicants and employees.

We don't discriminate based on factors like gender, race, age, physical abilities, religion, or sexual orientation.

Our application process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and we value your contributions regardless of these characteristics.

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Safeguarding

Cool Earth is dedicated to strengthening the rights and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) living in rainforests. Cool Earth believes that a child, young person, or adult should never experience abuse of any kind. Protecting their safety and their freedom is integral to our work and our values.

Cool Earth is committed to keeping the IPLCs we work and engage with safe from any harm that could be caused by coming into contact with our organisation. This includes potential harm arising from the conduct and behaviour of staff, partners, or affiliates of Cool Earth, or the design and implementation of our programmes and activities.

We maintain a strict zero-tolerance approach towards any attitudes, behaviours or actions that put others at risk of harm.

Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks as per the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more information see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

Flexible working hours

Remote working

Annual training