Might you be our next Executive Director? Please read our Organizational Profile to learn much more about Sustainable Harvest International’s vision and this opportunity.
Sustainable Harvest International is a fully remote organization, registered in the State of Maine, USA. Please submit all application materials in English.
WHO YOU ARE
Are you a passionate advocate for rural regenerative agriculture and human development, particularly in Central America, and are you able to spark such enthusiasm in others? Do you have a solid understanding of the links between conventional agriculture, environmental degradation and poverty, as well as a belief in the efficacy of SHI’s innovative approach in changing these outcomes? Do you have experience working directly with and/or designing programs that promote lasting solutions? If so, please keep reading!
In addition to a demonstrated passion for our mission, you are well-connected in the international development community and have experience in using an array of development techniques to expand financial resources and donor support. If this sounds like you, and you can bring a depth of experience in non-profit management and operations, you may be exactly who we are looking for as our Executive Director!
WHO WE ARE
Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) was founded in 1997 to confront the devastating effects of slash-and-burn agriculture on people and the planet, specifically in Central America. The core vision is that the very farmers engaged in destructive agricultural practices can and will change when provided with opportunities to preserve and improve the natural world they depend on. Accordingly, our mission is to preserve the environment by partnering with families to improve well-being through sustainable farming.
SHI was built on the fact that environmental degradation and rural poverty are unavoidably linked, thus the solution must also link the two. We provide local, long-term technical assistance, education, and training to rural farming families throughout Central America. Our proven model equips and empowers low-income farmers with the resources to implement proven alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture, heal and sustain the land for future generations, arrest tropical deforestation, and develop self-supporting and influential communities through small business.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The new Executive Director will join SHI at a pivotal juncture. The organization is poised for transformative change and committed to continued excellence. The Executive Director will lead the organization in a strategic process to envision, identify, and seize opportunities for expanding our impact by partnering with appropriately aligned organizations. Practiced in change management, the Executive Director will apply innovative thinking and thoughtfully engage diverse stakeholders, including staff, board members, partners, donors, local governments, and partner communities and farmers. The Executive Director will play a critical role by elevating the visibility of SHI in various networks that share our vision. Most importantly, the Executive Director will work closely with the senior management team, the Board of Directors, and the Treasurer to achieve the long-term financial sustainability needed to achieve our goals.
DO THE FOLLOWING HIGHLY DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES DESCRIBE YOU?
Held senior leadership position in a growing, best-in-class international non-profit organization, preferably at the Executive Director level or in Development and Fundraising.
Successful experience in managing organizational change and scaling up an organization by building management systems, creating successful work plans, forging strategic partnerships, and leveraging resources.
Demonstrated passion for and understanding of regenerative agriculture and human development, with a deep commitment to empowering all people to protect the environment. Successful track record in development, and a full understanding of donor engagement and development.
Comfortable and effective in the fundraising role, including stewarding major donor relationships, closing significant asks, and navigating relations with institutional donors.
Management experience that demonstrates strengths in collaborative leadership, team building, consensus building, and mutual accountability.
Proven capacity to coach, manage, and develop high performing, multicultural teams in the delivery of high quality programs.
Familiarity with technological resources, particularly for capturing and reporting data on impacts and outcomes, and for managing remote workplace relationships.
Excellent problem solving skills, innovative thinking, and balanced temperament to bring to bear in handling challenging issues ranging from administrative details to budget shortfalls to personnel challenges to external relations.
Demonstrated ability to manage operations across multiple remote workplace locations and multiple cultural contexts.
Demonstrated business savvy, including familiarity with managing financial resources, preparing annual budgets, overseeing annual financial audits, and communicating financial information across different audiences.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with fluency in both English and Spanish.
The ability to translate complex data into a compelling narrative for a variety of audiences.
Proven ability to cultivate strong board engagement, recruitment, and development.
Open to extensive travel, both in the US and internationally.
AT SUSTAINABLE HARVEST INTERNATIONAL, SUCCESSFUL TEAM MEMBERS ARE
Passionate about SHI’s mission with knowledge of issues surrounding environmental degradation, deforestation, regenerative agriculture, food security, poverty alleviation, and Latin American culture.
Resourceful and innovative, and bring an optimistic, can-do, hands-on approach to achieving big results with limited resources, and respond flexibly as opportunities and events arise.
Able to work effectively independently and on teams, nurture relationships with remote colleagues in various countries and time zones, and promote high performance and accountability within the organization.
Straightforward and self-possessed, one who shares information and feedback readily, listens as well as gives advice, and respects the abilities of others.
Willing to do what it takes, including national and international travel, and long hours when needed.
COMPENSATION + BENEFITS
Salary range is $85,000 – $110,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits – in addition to joining an incredibly dedicated and ambitious team working to save the planet, of course – include a remote office environment (including a monthly stipend for office expenses), flexible work schedule, vacation and personal leave, and 75% subsidized medical, dental and vision benefits. Travel within the US and to Central America will be approximately 25% of your time, with the potential for more depending on your location and the organization’s needs.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should apply online by submitting a resume and letter of interest through sustainableharvest.org/employment. In your letter of interest, please include a description of how your qualifications and experience match the mission and strategic priorities of Sustainable Harvest International. We’d also be interested in knowing how you learned of the position.
Candidates are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.