Program Officer, Transaction Advisory

Location: Mexico Remote (Monterrey, Guadalajara or Mexico City preferred). Or US-Remote, with preference for those in proximity to current EDF US office locations.

Duration: This is a 2-year fixed-term position with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter.

Provisional Hiring: This position is contingent on an anticipated grant award with the World Bank.  

EDF Forests Overview

EDF’s Forests Focus Area is one of EDF’s 8 global impact areas, whose goals rise to the level of the enormity of the climate and nature crisis. Through demonstrating proof of concept for large-scale forest conservation, engaging key Indigenous peoples and local communities forest policies and programs, and scaling access to finance for these solutions, EDF seeks to contribute global-scale contributions in support of meeting global targets to halt and reverse global forest loss by 2030 while boosting local livelihoods and forest restoration.

Protecting forests that regulate climate, preserve biodiversity, and support the livelihoods and climate adaptation of millions of people is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Recognizing the urgency, and in anticipation of a grant award with the World Bank, EDF and key partners will support jurisdictional REDD+ programming and transaction advisory, deploying a transaction-focused delivery model, grounded in direct advisory support to governments and designed to move jurisdictions from readiness to executed carbon market transactions.

Overall Function

Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. ("EDF") seeks to engage a Program Officer to serve on a two [2] year, renewable, fixed-term contract. This individual will support program management activities, including project reporting and monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for the program. The position will be responsible for supporting the program team to ensure performance monitoring and results reporting across the program are in place and working effectively. This position interfaces across the EDF matrix with other teams including Finance, IT, HR and Development to ensure collaboration and smooth functioning across our units.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide program management support to the Senior Director and Senior Transaction Manager, including strategic calendar management, scheduling, meeting preparation, logistical support, and other tasks as requested.
• Apply excellent organizational, communication, and planning skills by responding to requests for information, helping to coordinate activities, projects and workplans for the team.
• Keep informed of all developments on the program to prepare appropriate narrative reports, briefings, and other documentation as required.
• Track progress on key funder deliverables and coordinate the collection of inputs for the drafting and delivery of project implementation progress reports to the World Bank.
• Lead all Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) efforts as needed to ensure high-quality data collection and management, including collection of complete and credible data from all beneficiaries and participating partners.
• Provide continuous support to program staff regarding data collection, data verification, and validation, to ensure timely data collection, analyses, reporting, and completion of other MEL activities.
• Contribute monitoring data to learning and communications materials, such as case studies, learning briefs, and success stories.
• Participate in the development of narrative and financial grant reports, including communicating with EDF staff in other departments.
• Provide oversight into contracting and purchasing for team, ensuring processes and documentation are in accordance with EDF guidelines and donor-required procedures.
• Support Program and Finance staff to produce timely month-end reports of actual vs. budget results, and monitor grant-level financial activity, ensuring accuracy and completeness; investigate, analyze, and explain variances from budget for income and expense line items.
• Prepare budgets and financial reports for various stakeholders, including program staff, internal management, finance staff, and senior operations leads.
• Support in overseeing funds to ensure proper deployment of resources in alignment with donor intent, internal policies, workplans, and GAAP rules.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• As needed, organize special team events and meetings to ensure they effectively meet their desired objectives, including agenda development, site research & selection, contract negotiation, travel arrangements, attendee needs, catering & activity.
• Assist program team to maintain project files in line with EDF policies and procedures.
• Review and track technical documents, ensuring a shared, organized electronic filing system is maintained.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned, in support of overall Forests and EDF strategy, planning, reporting, and other institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Native or fully bilingual Spanish speaker with excellent written and verbal communication skills. English fluency required.
• 6+ years of relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree may substitute for up to 2 years of relevant experience. Project management certification a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and execute high-impact solutions in ambiguous or evolving contexts.
• Prior experience working on government grants, with a particular focus on functions supporting compliance, procurement, administration, finance and/or coordination is strongly desired.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface well with all departments in the organization and external stakeholders and represent the team in a highly professional manner.
• Reporting experience with government grants, foundations, and private donors is a plus.
• Experienced in MS Office Suite, with expertise in Excel: the ability to develop formulas, pivot tables, charts and spreadsheets that clearly present data to facilitate decision-making by management. Experience with NetSuite is a plus.
• Demonstrated familiarity of GAAP and thorough understanding of non-profit accounting principles and grants management
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proactive, well-organized, and attentive to detail.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, research, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, adapt to evolving contexts, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Detail-oriented the ability to spot trends and ensure accuracy.
• Demonstrable passion and commitment to EDF’s mission.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.

Compensation

• Mexico: $452,500.00 - 467,500.00 MXN annual
• United States: $90,000 - 96,000 USD annual
  

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.