Reports to: Regional Director 

Department: International Programs 

Position classification: Full-time 

Location: Lusaka, Zambia  MUST HAVE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TO LIVE AND WORK IN ZAMBIA

Employment type: through Eden Reforestation Projects Zambia (Zambian-registered affiliate of Eden: People+Planet)

Company Information 

We believe the social foundation of basic human needs can be met for all people within the Earth’s ecological limits. By collaborating with communities to restore degraded environments and protect essential ecosystems, we foster a resilient foundation that supports both people and planet, recognizing the health of both are inseparable and interdependent. Our work de-risks the future by designing and implementing holistic systems that address the foundational needs of people, restores essential biodiversity, and directly impacts the effects of climate change through collaboration with local stakeholders, regional authorities, and global partners. 

Eden: People+Planet works in developing regions of the world to facilitate landscape restoration and community development through nature-based solutions. Eden’s mission is to foster healthy relationships between communities and the land on which we all depend, through landscape restoration and conservation. We envision a world where communities thrive in healthy and restored environments. 

Position Summary 

The Country Director will develop the country team, and lead Eden’s initiatives in Zambia, overseeing the identification and implementation of landscape restoration projects that focus on carbon and nature-based solutions. This role requires a visionary leader with expertise in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and cross-sector collaboration. The Country Director will work closely with local communities, stakeholders, government officials and global partners to ensure the successful execution of projects that enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and foster resilient ecosystems. 

Essential Responsibilities 

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of landscape restoration projects, ensuring alignment with Eden’s mission and objectives. 
• Direct overall forest carbon project development in Zambia. This includes managing the full carbon development process for Eden’s prospective projects, in consultation with the International Programs and the Technical Team. 
• Recruit and develop a competent, professional team capable of implementing large-scale restoration projects financed by carbon revenue. 
• Oversee the full project lifecycle including identification, scoping, feasibility and project design development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as close-out, as applicable, of carbon-focused landscape restoration projects to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability
• Lead efforts to engage with local communities and stakeholders to build trust, foster collaboration, and ensure their meaningful participation in project planning and decision-making. This includes close collaboration with the Ministries of Green Economy and Environment, Lands and Natural Resources, Community Development and Social Services, and Finance and National Planning.
• Implement Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes to ensure the rights and interests of indigenous peoples and local communities are respected.  
• Foster strong relationships with local communities, government agencies, and international partners to facilitate collaborative efforts. 
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the changing carbon policy, legal and regulatory environment and Zambian context to ensure projects are both relevant and in compliance to Zambia law. 
• Collaborate with Eden business development teams to create viable financial models for carbon projects, engaging with donors and carbon finance investors to secure long-term financing.
• Represent Eden in national and international fora, advocating for sustainable development and environmental conservation initiatives. 
• Oversee country level operations, ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards, operational best practices, and the ethical guidelines of Eden: People+Planet as outlined in the Eden Ethos. 
• Contextualize and implement policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency and project impact. 
• Provide regular reports and updates, highlighting progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to team members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a collaborative and productive work environment. This includes overseeing performance management, problem-solving, addressing challenges proactively, and promoting open communication within the team, and may include hiring and employment-related decision-making. 
• Manage and oversee the country office’s budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, monitoring expenditures, and adjusting as needed to meet financial objectives while maintaining alignment with organizational goals. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Education + Work Experience 

• Advanced degree in forestry, ecology, restoration, environmental management, or another related field.  
• Additional training and experience in sustainable development, GIS applications, mapping, carbon financial modeling and document development are a significant advantage.  
• At least seven years of progressive responsibility in restoration, reforestation, and conservation project coordination with an emphasis on management of field teams.  

 Skills + Abilities  

• Models the Eden Ethos in all professional interactions, demonstrating a commitment to the organization's values, vision, and conduct standards.  
• Deep knowledge of forest ecology, conservation and management.  
• Thorough understanding of landscape restoration dynamics, including succession dynamics, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
•  Possesses clarity on global environmental work, multilateral environmental agreements, and the value of carbon projects in global climate action.  
• Proven leadership ability, with the ability to build a healthy internal organizational culture and effective, empowered team. 
• Exceptional proficiency in professional English communication, both verbal and written.  
• Ability to engage and integrate with others, lead teams, and build relationships.  
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, one-on-one and in front of groups, with the ability to communicate complex or technical details to a variety of audiences in a way that is easily understood.  '
• Demonstrated creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and respond swiftly and effectively to unforeseen challenges.  
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools, able to work independently and manage multiple projects as an integral member of a high-functioning team.  
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse environments, building relationships and interfacing effectively with a variety of stakeholders. 
• Proven experience in managing budgets and resource allocation in compliance with operational standards and internal controls. 
• Capacity to learn and manage technical information.
• Proficient in Microsoft software products and able to learn new technologies to the level of proficiency. 

 Work Environment + Physical Requirements 

• Requires a commitment to work in a global asynchronous team with atypical hours.  
• Occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions during travel.
• Regular and extended travel to difficult operating environments, including remote areas. This will include the ability to move about in project sites, including the ability to walk long-distances in forest landscapes, and navigate difficult terrain. 
• Legal authorization to live and work in Zambia.  

Eden: People + Planet offers a competitive salary and benefit package. Eden is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.  

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may evolve and change over time based on organizational needs, programmatic priorities, and/or reasonable accommodation. 

Safeguarding: Eden: People+Planet holds strict safeguarding principles and does not tolerate behaviors that harm others, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other injustices. Employees are expected to abide by Eden’s Safeguarding and Ethics policies. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring criteria, subject to a thorough background, police clearance, and reference check process.