Agriculture Specialist

Do you have experience in agriculture and want to put your technical knowledge to work in sustainable agriculture certification? Would you enjoy combining fieldwork with client relationships while supporting the growth of our services in South America? If so, this role could be the right fit for you.

What you can expect:

Based in Brazil, you will help expand Preferred by Nature’s technical capacity and support our existing and growing sustainable rice services in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Your work will combine auditing, client management, and business development.

You will carry out field activities, coordinate certification and verification work, and help develop our agriculture services while maintaining the quality our clients expect.

Working with us is never routine, so your work will be central to the following areas.

Auditing and technical quality:

• Develop and maintain qualifications for relevant agriculture certification and verification schemes, with a primary focus on SRP and a secondary focus on Preferred by Nature Certification, Rainforest Alliance, RSPO, and UEBT.

• Carry out technical reviews and certification or verification decisions within the scope of your qualifications.

• Conduct on-site and remote audits and submit accurate reports within agreed timelines.

Client and assignment management:

• Coordinate assigned clients and projects, including audit budgeting, planning, scheduling, and database maintenance.

• Provide responsive client support and coordinate with colleagues to address stakeholder questions and complaints.

Service development:

• Support sustainable rice services and help increase our capacity to deliver fieldwork across the assigned markets.

• Engage prospective clients in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay prepare proposals and contribute to presentations and sales activities.

• Support client engagement and opportunities for Sustainability Advisory services.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Build strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders.

• Represent Preferred by Nature at client visits, meetings, conferences, and information sessions.

Your first year with us:

Within three months, you will:

• Become familiar with our Agriculture Services, clients, systems, and technical procedures.

• Begin your agreed qualification process and participate in audits, client meetings, and report preparation.

• Learn our processes for planning, budgeting, proposals, and client administration.

Within six months, you will:

• Make progress toward your agreed qualifications and conduct audits according to your qualification status.

• Begin managing assigned clients and coordinating certification or verification work.

• Contribute to business development activities in Brazil.

Within twelve months, you will:

• Independently manage an agreed portfolio of clients and assignments, delivering work on time and to the required quality.

• Achieve your agreed priority qualifications, where scheme requirements and available opportunities allow.

• Contribute to client retention, service development, and improvements in how we work.

Important that you:

• Hold a degree or postgraduate qualification in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental sciences, or a related field.

• Bring at least three years of professional experience in the agriculture sector.

• Are fluent in Portuguese and have English proficiency at B2 level or above.

• Have Spanish language skills sufficient to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders in Argentina and Uruguay.

• Have strong planning, communication, and client relationship skills.

• Can write clear reports, organise your work, and manage competing priorities.

• Are proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relevant work software.

It would also be an advantage if you:

• Have education or experience in the rice sector.

• Hold auditor qualifications in sustainable agriculture schemes such as SRP, Rainforest Alliance, UEBT, or RTRS.

• Are based in southern Brazil, preferably in Rio Grande do Sul.