Panthera Corporation

Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperiled species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe, and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats. Panthera Corporation consists of Panthera Corporation- USA and several foreign legal entities and foreign branch offices.  For more on Panthera, visit www.panthera.org. 

Position:    Project Director for the Project: “Forests, jaguars and the peoples of the Guiana Shield”

Reports to:        Latin America Hub Director

Panthera Division:    Conservation Action    

Geographic Scope:   Latin America

Duty Station:              Brazil or French Guiana

Position Type:             Full-Time

Duration:                     Minimum 4 years starting April

Remuneration:              Compensation will be determined based on duty station, experience, and qualifications, in accordance with Panthera’s compensation framework and local labor law. 

Job Purpose (Summary)

The Project Director will provide overall leadership, planning, and coordination for the project “Forests, Jaguars, and the Peoples of the Guiana Shield” appointed and housed by Panthera as the leading organization of the project. The project budget is €6.56 million of which €2 million is financed by the French Facility for Global Environment (Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial - FFEM).

This role ensures that activities are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and aligned with the mission to conserve biodiversity and restore ecosystems. Additional project details can be sent to applicants upon request.

The Director will hold a dual mandate:

1. Overall Project Leadership – guiding implementation, monitoring and reporting across Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and French Guiana.
2. Lead one of the main components of the project: "Protection of Jaguars, their habitats and prey in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)" – ensuring targeted outcomes under this strategic pillar.
   
   

The position requires close coordination with Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) Guianas and Instituto de Pesquisa e Formação Indígena, Brazil (Iepé Brazil), French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), Parc Amazonien de Guyane, government agencies, NGOs, Indigenous and local communities, and Panthera’s administrative and programmatic teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Management

• • Lead day-to-day operations and ensure alignment with strategic conservation goals.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets.
  • Supervise and support staff, contractors, and implementing partners.
  • Responsible for the project implementation according to the objectives defined in the project document (NEP), the conditions and terms agreed in the Financing Agreement to be signed with FFEM and the project Operation Manual.
  • Coordinate the activities of the project implementing partner organizations, in line with the MoUs and the On-Granting Agreements to be signed with them.
  • Design the project Operation Manual and submit it to FFEM for no objection (if not designed prior to the recruitment of this position).
  • Lead one of the main components of the project: "Protection of Jaguars, their habitats and prey in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)": The protection of jaguars and their habitats is made more coherent and effective within, and between, the countries of the Guiana Shield through the inclusion and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities IPLCs in conservation processes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• • Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, Indigenous communities, NGOs, and regional partners.
  • Ensure, supervise and document the deployment of the Free Prior and Informed Consent processes with the IPLCs involved in the project's activities.
  • Represent the project in national and international meetings, workshops, and public forums.
  • Liaise with complementary projects implemented in the area.
  • Coordinate actions alongside the industry–infrastructure deconfliction advisor.

Governance & Coordination

• • Lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) composed of Panthera, ACT Guianas, IEPÉ and OFB.
  • Convene quarterly Advisory Committee meetings with partners and scientific/technical experts.
  • Lead annual or bi-annual meetings Steering Committee meetings with FFEM, French Ministry of Environment (MTE), OFB, government focal points, Advisory Committee representatives and regional organizations.
  • Organize progress meetings with FFEM when needed.

Monitoring, Reporting & Compliance

• • Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, including procurement guidelines and Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism obligations, and safety procedures.
  • Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting for performance monitoring and impact evaluation, including transfer and sharing of data to local governments and, potentially, to a regional database.
  • Prepare, coordinate and submit technical and financial progress reports to internal leadership and funding agencies.

Communications & Fundraising

• • Collaborate with communications and development teams to produce outreach materials, donor updates, and fundraising content aligned with the project communication and visibility strategy to be designed at the beginning of the project.
  • Elevate the visibility of the project’s achievements and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications

Education & Professional Background

• • Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in conservation social science or related fields.
  • Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, preferably in tropical forest ecosystems or large-scale biodiversity initiatives.
  • Proven track record in multi-country, multi-stakeholder projects, ideally within the Guiana Shield region or Latin America.
  • Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting traditional knowledge and rights, including FPIC processes.
  • Familiarity with international biodiversity conventions and frameworks (CBD, CITES, CMS, Global Biodiversity Framework, Jaguar 2030 Roadmap).

Technical & Managerial Skills

• • Strong expertise in project planning, budgeting, and financial management, including donor compliance.
  • Experience in monitoring & evaluation frameworks, and impact reporting.
  • Ability to lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across different countries and institutions.
  • Skilled in stakeholder engagement and diplomacy, with experience liaising with governments, NGOs, IPLCs and multilateral organizations.
  • Knowledge of environmental trust funds, blended finance instruments, and sustainable livelihood approaches.
  • Technical expertise or professional experience on environmental data production and management.
  • Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex workflows under pressure.

Leadership & Personal Competencies

• • Demonstrated ability to lead governance structures (Steering Committees, Advisory Committees, Project Management Units) and ensure transparent decision-making.
  • Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with fluency in English and working proficiency in Portuguese, French, or Dutch considered an asset.
  • Commitment to equity, inclusion, and participatory approaches in conservation.
  • High integrity, accountability, and alignment with the mission to conserve biodiversity and restore ecosystems.
  • Capacity to represent the project at international forums, donor meetings, and public events with authority and credibility.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional Experience

• Demonstrated success in fundraising and donor relations, including securing multi-million euro/USD grants or co-financing from international institutions.
• Experience with Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and innovative conservation finance mechanisms such as biodiversity bonds, carbon credits, or blended finance instruments.
• Prior leadership in large-scale, national or transboundary conservation initiatives.
• Track record of capacity building with Indigenous and local communities, including participatory governance and co-management structures.
• Familiarity with regional political and institutional contexts in Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and French Guiana.

Technical Expertise

• Experience in livelihood diversification projects (ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, product certification) linked to biodiversity conservation.
• Strong understanding of environmental trust funds and long-term financial sustainability strategies for conservation.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional diplomatic and negotiation skills, with the ability to balance conservation priorities against extractive industry pressures.
• Recognized thought leadership in conservation, demonstrated through publications, conference presentations, or advisory roles.
• Ability to inspire and mobilize diverse stakeholders, from grassroots communities to international donors.

Work Conditions/Physical demands

Duty Station

• This is a remote position that may be based in Brazil or French Guiana, with regular travel across the Guiana Shield region.
• Candidate must have work authorization to work in the duty station country.

Work Environment

• Compensation and benefits will be finalized once the duty station is confirmed, in compliance with Panthera internal policies and the laws of the duty station jurisdiction.
• Work will be conducted in a mix of office settings, field sites, and community environments, requiring adaptability to diverse cultural and ecological contexts.
• Frequent interaction with government agencies, NGOs, Indigenous communities, and international partners in both formal and informal settings.
• Occasional participation in international conferences, donor meetings, and workshops outside the region.

Travel Requirements

• Extensive travel within remote forested areas, including multi-day field missions to rural and Indigenous territories.
• Travel may involve boats, off-road vehicles, and small aircraft to reach project sites.
• Willingness to work in challenging environments with limited infrastructure, including exposure to tropical climates, high humidity, and seasonal weather extremes.

Physical Demands

• Ability to undertake moderate physical activity during field visits, including walking long distances in forest terrain, climbing, and carrying equipment.
• Capacity to adapt to extended periods in remote areas, sometimes with limited access to communications or medical facilities.
• Comfort with irregular schedules, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate community meetings, emergencies, or donor requirements.

Work Schedule & Flexibility

• Standard workweek of 40-48 hours (depending on duty station), with flexibility required to meet project deadlines and respond to urgent conservation needs.
• Balance between strategic office-based tasks (planning, reporting, coordination; 75%) and field-based oversight (25%) of conservation activities.
• Occasional extended hours during peak reporting periods, Steering Committee meetings, or major stakeholder events.

Health & Safety

• Compliance with organizational safety protocols and country-specific regulations.
• Training and equipment provided for safe fieldwork in tropical forest environments.
• Vaccinations and health precautions may be required depending on travel destinations.

 How To Apply

Interested applicants should submit their most recent CV including two professional referees and their contact details, and a cover letter to the Panthera Careers Page. The application deadline is Thursday, March 5, 2026.