Project Manager

Company Description Systemiq is a system-change company committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement by transforming markets and business models in five key systems: nature and food, materials and circularity, energy, urban areas, and sustainable finance. As a certified B Corp, we combine strategic advisory with high-impact, on-the-ground work, partnering with business, finance, policy-makers, and civil society to deliver system change. With offices in Brazil, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, and Indonesia, our team has grown to more than 380 people since our start in 2016. We are a pure-play sustainability-focused company, dedicated exclusively to sustainability projects.

What We Do Systemiq orchestrates system change in clean energy, circular material solutions, and sustainable land use. This involves re-imagining industries, re-configuring the energy world, and regenerating ecosystems to address systemic failures, unlocking economic opportunities that benefit business, society, and the environment.

 

Program Overview

The Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) is a self-governed coalition of organisations and individuals working collaboratively to achieve a shared objective: the urgent transformation of food and land use systems to deliver a better future for people, nature and climate. FOLU supports science-based solutions and helps to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities to unlock collective, ambitious action.

FOLU’s Growing Better report recommends an integrated reform agenda along ten critical transitions to deliver positive outcomes for environment, health, inclusive development and food security, ensuring food and land use systems support delivery of globally agreed sustainable development, climate and biodiversity goals. 

FOLU’s light-touch governance and adaptive management have enabled the FOLU community to grow and evolve since FOLU’s inception in 2017. The Coalition’s collective leadership is provided by an group of international partners comprised of: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), EAT, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Systemiq, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), and the World Resources Institute (WRI).  It is completed by leadership from our country platforms including: Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia), in Latin America (Colombia and Brazil) and in Asia (China, Indonesia and India).

FOLU is coordinated by its Global Secretariat housed at WRI’s London office. Other FOLU partners provide human resources that contribute to the Secretariat, including Systemiq, GAIN, WBCSD and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Within FOLU’s Global Secretariat, the International Policy & Engagement Team leads a suite of activities designed to shape international policy in support of FOLU’s agenda. Currently, international frameworks and mechanisms for cooperation are not ambitious enough to accelerate multi-stakeholder action on food systems. FOLU seeks to leverage key international fora to accelerate national action and push for greater international ambition. We also seek to showcase how actions taken in FOLU priority countries can be beacons of light to inspire global action.

Job Summary

This individual will be responsible for developing and delivering a strategy that leverages multilateral processes to accelerate the transition to regenerative food systems. In 2025, the role will focus on helping the Brazilian COP30 Presidency deliver a package of actions that meaningfully advance the transition to sustainable production. The role sits within the International Policy and Engagement Team, together with a Head of Nutrition Policy and under the supervision of the Director of International Policy and Engagement. The post-holder will work closely with our FOLU Brazil and Colombia country teams, the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation as well as FOLU´s International Partners to co-create and deliver the strategy. Working closely with the knowledge team will also ensure that policy action is informed by scientific evidence. This role presents a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of multilateral efforts to advance the food systems transformation.

Roles and Responsibilities

Thought leadership and strategy (25%):

• Define a theory of change describing how international policy processes can drive the transition to regenerative agriculture.
• Develop a strategy for influencing international policy processes in 2025 and outline a program of work for FOLU, including engagements at major events such as UNFCCC COP30, UNFSS+5 and other convenings, working closely with FOLU’s Director of International Policy & Engagement, FOLU´s International Partners and FOLU´s Country Platform teams.

Fundraising and Development (20%)

• Ensure the workstream is adequately resourced, identifying opportunities to strengthen resourcing where necessary by developing compelling funding proposals and engage potential donors, together with our fundraising manager.
• Contribute to high potential fundraising proposals, support the bidding process including drafting responses and resubmissions, and facilitate contracting.
• Support donor reporting and quality assurance across FOLU´s global policy work.

Delivery (45%):

• Lead key project management functions for the international agriculture policy workstream including structuring work plans, managing staff and ensuring the delivery of timely, high quality outputs.
• Ensure delivery of high-profile global engagement opportunities including building coalitions of actors, planning and hosting events, and defining communications products and campaigns to support engagement, working closely with other FOLU teams (Knowledge, Countries, and Communication)
• Maintain coordination among international partners and country platforms in the delivery of our policy workstream, including leveraging policy expertise throughout the coalition, as well as building partnerships to amplify our policy impact.
• Identify opportunities to leverage targeted analysis to inform policy decisions, and input on the development of the analysis, working closely with the knowledge team to maximize the impact of the results on the ground.

External engagement and communications (10%):

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with relevant policymakers as well as any non-state actors supporting the delivery of policy goals. Engage with global and regional networks, academic institutions, NGOs, and other partners to build impactful alliances to support policy engagement and research dissemination.
• Represent the Coalition in high level meetings and at public events to advance FOLU’s objectives. Act as a spokesperson for the coalition where needed, driving key messages that support critical policy objectives and translating complex research findings into accessible and actionable insights for policymakers.

Job Qualifications

You will have deep expertise in agriculture policy, with a clear vision for multilateral processes can drive advancements on key transitions. Previous experience and networks in the Brazilian government would be valued. You will be a clear and compelling communicator, able to engage persuasively with a diverse range of international stakeholders at all levels. You will be a proactive self-starter, whose energy and vision inspires others as well as an empathetic and considerate manager, able to leverage talent to its full potential.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s and Master´s degree in relevant field (agronomy, international relations, economics, development) is required.
• Technical experience: Minimum 5 years’ experience within government, UN agencies, academia, public/private health or business, with a proven track record of policy analysis and development in a relevant field, preferably in Brazil. Experienced relationship manager, including at a senior level in various contexts.
• Managerial experience: At least two years of managerial experience leading small teams towards the delivery of objectives and fostering staff wellbeing and growth.
• Knowledge: Deep understanding of food and land use systems, with recognized expertise on regenerative transitions and land degradation restoration. Strong analytical skills including previous academic contributions or high-level analysis.
• Attributes: Proven ability to take initiative, juggle multiple projects and tasks independently and adapt to changing priorities while managing stress. Comfortable and capable working alone as well as in teams including remotely. Passion for FOLU’s mission and the food systems transformation
• Language: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with full fluency in written and spoken English and Portuguese.
• Digital literacy: in Office 365 and remote work. Modeling expertise is valued.
• Travel: Flexibility to travel internationally up to 25% of the time.

Diversity & Inclusion At Systemiq, we believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial to system change and our mission. We are committed to:

• Embedding diverse and inclusive practices in all aspects of our work, including recruitment, performance management, and people processes and policies.
• Providing a supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and perform at their best, regardless of background, personality, gender, sexual orientation, race, mental health, religion, or other characteristics.
• Supporting our people through all life stages, accommodating personal priorities, and promoting a sustainable approach to work and life.

Reward and Recognition The remuneration and benefits package will reflect the successful candidate's experience and expertise.

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