Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Director

• North Fort Myers, FL
• Full-time
• Published: 2024-09-16 19:53:31Z

ECHO’s Regional Impact Center (RIC) for Central America and the Caribbean (CAC) aims to strengthen the capacity of a diverse regional network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. The objectives outlined in a prospectus, job description, and strategic framework for the region were developed in response to the unique needs of small-scale farmers in a region characterized by rapidly changing economic and environmental contexts. The CAC Director is responsible for building a regional network and serving that network with joy by identifying, validating, sharing, and measuring the efficacy of contextualized agricultural options (4 core functions of ECHO) with technical excellence for the Glory of God.

SUMMARY:
The role of Director exists to strengthen the capacity of a diverse regional network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agricultural options. The CAC Director is responsible for building a regional network and serving that network with joy by identifying, validating, sharing, and measuring the efficacy of contextualized agricultural options (4 core functions of ECHO) with technical excellence for the Glory of God. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop partnerships.

• Determine the location for the CAC RIC.
• Consult with the ECHO Senior Management team on the most appropriate country and site for establishing the CAC RIC, establishing a core staff, and phased build-out of the different core functions, as described below.
• Develop, re-engage, and build intentional partnerships between ECHO and likeminded individuals and organizations (regional and international) working to improve the productivity of small-scale farmers in CAC.
• Introduce ECHO resources (especially Spanish and French/Creole resources) to change agents previously unfamiliar with ECHO and connect regional change agents to one another.
• Develop relationships between ECHO and like-minded individuals and organizations interested in partnering with ECHO financially.
• Develop a robust network of in-country and regional seed banks (including seed suppliers, not-for-profit, and local leaders) through seed banking capacity building and seed exchange training strengthening programs and seed system technical resources/services including the development of an ECHO Central America Seed Bank and similar local seed banks in each country throughout the region.

1 Although physically located in Central America and focused on the CAC region, this RIC will support all Spanish-speaking countries and ECHO network partners who use Spanish outside of the United States and Canada.

2. Oversee training events and technical support provided by ECHO Central America and Caribbean to network members working to improve the lives of small-scale farmers, pastoralists and gardeners in the region.

• Responsible for ensuring the planning, promotion and implementation of training and networking events in the CAC region (symposia, workshops, hands-on trainings, seminars, etc.), of at least two events per year, some of which may be jointly organized with collaborators.
• Oversee close consultation between ECHO Global and ECHO CAC staff (including interns, ambassadors, and/or affiliates in the region) to develop training curricula relevant to the diverse needs of small-scale farmers, fishers, pastoralists, gardeners, and those working with them in the region.
• Oversee provision of technical support to agricultural questions through email, phone consultations, ECHOcommunity conversations, and face-to face-consultations in the region.
• Oversee the production of articles and technical materials that address needs in the region. Coordinate the translation of EDN, Technical Notes, and other technical materials (including those relevant materials created by partners) into Spanish, French/Creole, regional languages of merit, and potentially Portuguese, in collaboration with the Director of Global Research and Publications.
• Offer evaluation and consultation services for regional development and church organizations.
• Ensure coordination of ECHO CAC research projects with ECHO’s Director of Global Research and Publications and with ECHO’s research initiatives worldwide.
• Identify and develop innovative technologies appropriate for smallholder farm families, fishers, and pastoralists which can be scaled up by local artisans, pastoralists and farmers. Coordinate and communicate innovations with other ECHO RIC Appropriate Technology Managers and regional partners.
• Identify resources and funding to support these efforts throughout the region.

3. Ensure follow-up to training events and monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

• Develop follow-up strategies ensuring that participants attending ECHO events
• throughout the region receive follow-up appropriate to their situation including
• correspondence, visits, technical advice, surveys and access to ECHO materials.
• ECHO, Inc. Central America and Caribbean Impact Center Director
• In consultation with the COO and M&E team, evaluate the impact of training events and approaches to improve training and activity effectiveness of diverse approaches to ensure relevance and efficacy for the regional network.
• Ensure M&E reporting is effectively communicated to global contributors, stakeholders, donors, and investors.

4. Coordinate Communication.

• Develop ECHO CAC as an integral and closely-linked element of ECHO's global outreach and engagement. Share best practices with peer RIC directors.
• Based on weekly, monthly, and annual schedules and protocols, develop ECHO CAC plans, proposals, budgets, and reports. Ensure close communication with ECHO Global. Advise ECHO Executive team on ECHO operations, management, and expansion internationally.
• In consultation with the Advancement team, supervise the writing and distribution of reports and impact stories following CAC training and networking events.

5. Lead ECHO Central America and Caribbean operations with humility, integrity and vision.

• Determine, implement, and review appropriate facilities development for the continued relevance of ECHO CAC.
• Ensure the operational and financial integrity and accountability of ECHO CAC, and periodically assess risks.
• Recruit, direct, and empower ECHO CAC staff, volunteers, affiliates, ambassadors, and interns throughout the region.
• Remain current with smallholder, pastoralist, and fisher agriculture techniques and issues through continuing education, research and engagement in regional and global meetings and conversations.
• Work with and develop the ECHO CAC board or subsidiary as a legal entity to increase capacities of members and further the work of ECHO in the region.
• Fiduciary responsibility to ensure appropriate accountability for resource and facilities usage.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty with excellence. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required.

1. Must subscribe to and affirm the ECHO Statement of Faith, Vision, Mission, Motivational Statement, and possess character traits consistent with ECHO’s core values.
2. Must have international agriculture and/or community development experience in the Central America and/or Caribbean context.
3. Master’s degree in agricultural development, livestock development, environmental science or other commensurate field desired.
4. Must be proficient in computer programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and willing to learn new software like Kobo Collect, SalesForce.
5. Must possess excellent skills in writing and verbal communications.
6. Must be fluent in Spanish and possess a high proficiency in English.
7. Ability to work independently and in concert with staff members, volunteers, and Global leadership.
8. Must be a networker and able to connect people, ideas, and techniques to one another and ECHO.
9. Availability to travel out of the country and work some weekends and evenings for occasional meetings and events.
10. Ability to identify potential problems and make necessary and creative plans for corrective action.
11. Embrace the dignity of small-scale farmers, pastoralists, fishers, and the importance of caring for creation.

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.