Project Officer

Project Officer

Based in San Jose, Costa Rica

Full time and long term position, local contract

Travels : up to 50%

Starting date: ASAP

PUR Description

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as 'nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world's largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others.

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.

Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto.

Industry Description

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions markets. These markets are closely linked with the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) when NbS projects produce carbon credits that can be traded on the VCM. The NbS market has recently gained traction as society recognizes the invaluable services provided by nature and the need to preserve, restore, and harness these services to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges. To be considered a nature-based solution, projects must effectively address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities.

Market KPIs:

• If combined with deep decarbonization efforts, NbS projects could provide up to 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2023)
• NbS project credits make up the largest volumes of carbon credits available in the VCM (voluntary carbon markets ) with $9bn invested between 2020 and 2022 (Sylvera, 2023)
• In 2021, the VCM was estimated to be worth $2 billion, four times its 2020 value. By 2030, the market is expected to reach $10 to $40 billion (BCG, 2022).
• 5,307 companies have set science-based targets - a 4.2x increase since 2022 – and a significant driver of demand within the NbS and VCM markets (SBTi, 2024)

The main role of the Project Officer at PUR is to
coordinate and monitor launched projects with the objective to drive positive impact in the projects' landscape
, coordinating PUR teams and external partners to leverage technical expertise, field knowledge and data insights
.

S/he is
responsible for the subprojects' successful roll out
, i.e.
meeting quantitative and qualitative targets in time while ensuring that the project budget is respected, until the end of the project. S/he
works hand in hand
with Project and Data team members, KAMs and Specialists.

Your responsibilities will be, but not limited to :

• Project management
  : Set-up, Plan, Coordinate, and Monitor the implementation of project activities, build, train and manage local partners, control quality of implementation processes, and project deliverables, improve proceedings, coordinate the implementation of impacts monitoring activities, develop and manage the project's contracts and budgets, update Reporting and Communication tools and formats, coordinate carbon certification.
• Project development
  : Assess the feasibility of, and design new ecosystem restoration projects in different regions of Costa Rica.
• Project monitoring / data
  : Be responsible for the data collection with the support of the Data team. Adapt and implement data collection forms to the project's local context. Control quality of the databases.
• Support innovation
  : Work with team members across PUR's global team to share information, knowledge and best practices.
• Partnership and representation
  : Supervise & work with local partners. Represent PUR at the manager's request

Job requirements

We are looking for someone with :

• Minimum of 2 years of experience
  of field projects implementation and/or management of projects.
• University degree (Bachelor or Licenciatura) on Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agronomy, Agroforestry, Rural Development or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge/professional experience related to the coffee supply chain and/or agronomy. Cocoa knowledge and/or experience is a plus.
• Knowledge in carbon certification for afforestation/reforestation project would be nice to have.
• Knowledge in tree nursery.
• Must be fluent in Spanish and basic English.
• Residency and Permit to work in Costa Rica,
• Availability to reside close to the Central Valley
• Driver's license B
  1 up to date and a
  vehicle
  suitable for field visits.

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique.

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.