Nature Solutions Principal Advisor: Sustainable Outcomes at Rio Tinto

Nature Solutions Principal Advisor: Sustainable Outcomes

• Opportunity to work in a global company supported by a great team
• Unique role with the opportunity to shape, build and manage a global portfolio of more than >500,000 ha of high-quality Nature-based Solutions projects at or near Rio Tinto’s extensive operating footprint, with a focus on Africa
• Location: Flexible location in South Africa, Johannesburg preferable

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

• We are looking for a Nature Solutions Principal Advisor: Sustainable Outcomes to form part of the newly formed Rio Tinto Nature Solutions (‘RTNS’) team within Rio Tinto’s Development & Technology group. RTNS is a small, centralised execution-focused team dedicated to accelerating the adoption and execution of high-quality nature-based solutions across Rio Tinto’s global portfolio. 
• Our success is determined not just by our support of Rio Tinto’s climate goals, but also to affect a lasting, positive legacy for people and nature wherever we operate. 

Reporting to the Chief Advisor Rio Tinto Nature Solutions, you will: 

• Ensure that projects meet the criteria as high-integrity nature-based solutions with positive outcome for people and nature
• Work with the Nature Solutions Carbon advisor, in-country implementation managers, as well as external entities such as the Carbon Development Partner, and consultants to facilitate Nature Solutions development projects through the feasibility, codesign, registration processes to implementation
• Work with the Carbon Advisor and others to identify in-country potential partners to ensure rapid but responsible implementation and delivery of carbon credits
• Engage regularly with regional implementation managers to track progress, provide coaching and mentoring opportunities to build local capacity
• Work with regional leads to identify knowledge gaps and capacity building opportunities for local government, host communities and implementation partners
• Work with the Engagement partner and the Programme Manager to develop information packs and materials appropriate to meet identified gaps, as well as appropriate engagement strategies
• Develop a governance framework in partnership with internal experts to proactively track social and nature performance of projects and apply learnings into an adaptive management approach across all projects
• Pilot approaches to stack biodiversity credits at relevant projects

 To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Masters degree or equivalent in natural resource management/ relevant natural sciences/ agricultural sciences / international development field 
• At least eight (8) to 10 years of relevant technical experience in forestry, nature-based solutions development, carbon accounting mechanisms, REDD+, and/or other natural resource management improvements projects in low-middle income countries.
• Extensive and in-field experience in working with communities, particularly in non-OECD regions
• Experience in the codesign phase of developing projects with outcomes for people and nature
• Specific background with REDD+ programmes beneficial
• Track record of identifying and effectively addressing risks associated with public-private partnerships at government and local community level
• Experience managing large budgets
• Engaging leader with high EQ and experience working in multiple regions, especially in a rural context
• Bilingual French highly beneficial
• Exposure to the carbon market and mechanisms highly beneficial

What we offer

• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program 
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family