Regenerative Agriculture Lead

PUR

About The Position

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as 'nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others. One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto. The Regenerative Agriculture Lead will define PUR’s regenerative agriculture product and implementation framework, seeking to promote and support sustainable farming practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon and improve water management. The role is an existing vacancy. As a key member of the Technical team, you will report to the Head of Design & Research. Your role involves collaborating with farmers, research organizations and PUR’s diverse multidisciplinary teams to design and implement regenerative agriculture systems tailored to diverse landscapes and communities.

Requirements

Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Agriculture, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Ecology or related fields
7-10 years of experience in project design and/or management, focused on regenerative agriculture practices (experience with carbon outcomes is considered a benefit)
Specific experience managing/coordinating agricultural field activities
Proven track record of leading large-scale, technical, cross-functional projects in diverse geographies
Strong experience in field-based environmental project design, including technical design, stakeholder engagement & benefit sharing
Strong knowledge of key environmental standards and outcomes frameworks
Experience leading multi-disciplinary collaboration with excellent leadership, organizational, communication and problem-solving skills
Experience in financial modelling, budgeting and risk analysis
Willingness to travel extensively to project sites
High tolerance for ambiguity; ability to thrive in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment
Strong sense of accountability and commitment/follow-through
Adept at giving and receiving feedback
Looks for impact by making decisions based on facts and critical thinking.

Nice To Haves

PhD is a plus
International experience is a strong plus

Responsibilities

Regenerative Agriculture Technical Product Ownership
Develop and lead the product and technical vision for regenerative agriculture initiatives in tropical and temperate ecosystems
Ensure all project and technical specifications of regenerative initiatives align with PUR’s strategy, mission, values and targeted outcomes goals; while in partnership with commercial team achieving market attractiveness
Incorporating best in class technical expertise & ensure compliance with industry and company specific standards (e.g. SAI, RA, VCI)
Ensure project design deliverables align with the due diligence requirements necessary to unlock project financing.
Technical Intervention Leadership and Research
Develop regenerative framing practices and assessment methodologies, in collaboration with global teams, that are tailored to diverse landscapes and communities that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, water and carbon
Lead the development of technical specifications for project design and implementation of regenerative agriculture activities that meet/exceed industry best practice, drive market competitiveness and farmer interest
Advise global teams, clients and partners, on regenerative practices including, but not limited to, low/no-till farming, cover & inter-cropping, crop rotation, soil amendments – with a focus on soil carbon sequestration and carbon emissions reductions.
Financial & Risk Management
Support the preparation of pricing, business cases, budgets and financial models for regenerative initiatives, ensuring profitability and long-term viability
Identify and support mitigation of risks related to regenerative agriculture project design, including environmental, financial and operational challenges.
Technical Adaptive Management
In partnerships with the Operations Team, establish criteria for which to evaluate long-term project performance against technical design criteria
Review ongoing performance of projects against established criteria and develop concepts for technical adaptive management of project design and operations to support long-term outcome and efficiency objectives.
Collaboration & Advocacy
Represent PUR at conferences, stakeholder meetings and industry events
Advocate for improvements to industry frameworks that best represent the sustainability needs of the regenerative movement, and unlock opportunities to drive the industry forward
Lead coordination with global operations, commercial, data, finance and impact teams related to regenerative agriculture implementation, data definition and collection, outcomes verification and adaptive management
Resource teams, and budgets, effectively to support annual and multi-annual execution roadmaps
Train and mentor a multidisciplinary team of project designers and commercial team members on regenerative agriculture design, practices and market positioning.