SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION MODELS ASSOCIATE
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
X6 Full-time Close on 17 Feb 2026
Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.
Guided by its Strategy 2030 (2026–2030), GGGI focuses on six key priorities, including climate and green growth policy frameworks, sustainable finance, institutional capacity building, green technologies, thought leadership, and the advancement of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). Its work is further structured around cross-cutting themes such as adaptive and resilient landscapes, sustainable agri-food systems, and just and inclusive transitions.
In Colombia, GGGI has supported national and subnational governments for over a decade, contributing to policy development, project structuring, capacity strengthening, and climate finance mobilization. As a trusted partner of the Government of Colombia, GGGI supports the country’s commitments under the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, promoting climate-smart agriculture, sustainable landscapes, green jobs, and a just transition toward a low-carbon economy.
In 2026, thanks to the Government of Canada, GGGI will begin implementing a project in the department of Cesar that seeks to promote the transition from a mining-based economy to one focused on ecosystem-based solutions with the aim of promoting the proper use of nature, the adoption of adaptation measures, and the generation of income opportunities, especially for women and youth in the region.
To ensure its proper implementation, GGGI is seeking a person based in the department of Cesar, ideally in Valledupar, to support the design, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient production models. This role seeks strengthen value chains, circular economy approaches, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) measures, and nature-positive land-use planning in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, landscape restoration, and bioeconomy.
As part of the Canada-funded project “Gender-Responsive Ecosystem-Based Adaptation” the Sustainable Production Models Associate will support all aspects related to the design, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient production models in the department of Cesar, particularly in the municipalities of Bosconia, Agustin Codazzi, Becerril, Chiriguaná, El Paso, and La Jagua de Ibirico (Cesar).
Under the supervision of the Climate Adaptation Senior Officer, the Associate will work closely with civil society, community organizations, private sector and public institutions to promote resilient livelihoods, climate-adaptive production systems, and sustainable territorial development in the Cesar region, aligned with national frameworks such as the National Climate Adaptation Plan Policy, and subnational planning instruments.
The primary objective of this position is to support the design, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient production models in the department of Cesar, particularly in the municipalities of Bosconia, Agustin Codazzi, Becerril, Chiriguaná, El Paso, and La Jagua de Ibirico.
The role will contribute to overcoming economic, environmental, and institutional barriers to adopting nature-based, climate-smart, and socially inclusive production systems, supporting the EbA strategy of the Project and broader national adaptation and biodiversity agendas.
The Associate's principal objective is to maintain good relations with local stakeholders, particularly the private sector. Under the supervision of the Climate Adaptation Senior Officer, the Associate will work with local stakeholders, especially rural producers and foundations, associations, corporations, and other entities that represent vulnerable populations in the area, particularly women and young people, as well as the mayors of the municipalities listed above and the Cesar Regional Autonomous Corporation (CORPOCESAR). In this regard, the Associate will:
Support territorial activities and deliverables closely with the Subnational GESI and Climate Adaptation Associate, Sustainable Landscape Officer, MEL Sr Associate, and Sustainable Finance Unit to ensure coherent integration of production, adaptation and GESI workstreams.
Support in facilitating multi-stakeholders coordination and structured dialogue spaces—including roundtables, workshops and multi-stakeholder forums—ensuring inclusive participation, safe environments, and actionable follow-up- related to sustainable productive landscapes.
Represent GGGI locally when delegated, supporting alignment between field activities and national-level strategies on climate adaptation, governance, and inclusive development.
Provide tailored technical inputs to municipal governments, producer associations, MSMEs, and community groups to integrate climate-smart and socially inclusive practices into local production systems.
Maintain an up-to-date stakeholder mapping and contribute to strategic engagement processes at both national and subnational levels.
Support capacity development activities that enhance partners’ ability to design and implement resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable production interventions.
Support in project monitoring, operational oversight, and communication, ensuring high-quality deliverables and compliance with donor requirements.
The Associate will perform the following core functions:
Support baseline assessments and climate–environmental risk diagnostics for productive systems in the municipalities of Bosconia, Agustin Codazzi, Becerril, Chiriguaná, El Paso, and La Jagua de Ibiricó, considering soil degradation, water scarcity, deforestation, land-use pressures, and impacts associated with mining activities.
Support the development and implementation of sustainable production models, including agroecological practices, NbS/EbA-based agriculture, sustainable forest management, and biodiversity-friendly value chains.
Support subnational authorities, producer associations, and community organizations in integrating sustainable production and climate adaptation approaches into territorial planning and investment frameworks.
Enhance stakeholder coordination, facilitate participatory planning, and build local capacities to adopt climate-resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable production strategies.
Support the identification, evaluation and prioritization ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) production models, such as agroforestry systems, silvopastoral practices, integrated water management approaches, ecological restoration measures, and riparian buffer rehabilitation.
Contribute to the formulation of technical action plans and implementation roadmaps that define roles, budget estimations, technical protocols, and expected climate-resilience outcomes.
Support field-level testing, adaptation, and scaling of sustainable production practices with producer associations, MSMEs, community organizations, and local authorities.
Provide technical guidance for integrating EbA-compatible agriculture and sustainable land-use practices into municipal and regional planning instruments (e.g., PIGCCT, PDGRD, productive reconversion strategies, sectoral climate plans).
Produce technical inputs for policy dialogues, public investment frameworks, CONPES strategies, agro-mining territorial planning processes, and sustainable landscape programs.
Strengthen institutional capacities of local authorities, extension agencies, and producer networks on sustainable production, GESI-responsive adaptation, and resource-efficient land-use planning.
Support the development of indicators and measurement frameworks to assess ecosystem and socio-economic benefits of sustainable production models (e.g., water infiltration, biodiversity, productivity stability, soil improvement).
Apply intersectional, human-rights-based, participatory methodologies to ensure inclusion of women, youth and marginalized populations in adaptation actions.
Organize and moderate consultations, workshops, co-design sessions, and producer dialogues to ensure alignment with local needs and promote inclusive participation—especially of women, youth, Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in alignment with GGGI rules and donor requirements.
Collect quantitative and qualitative field data aligned with MEL requirements, including disaggregation by sex, age, ethnicity, SOGIESC, victimization status, and other relevant variables.
Generate high-quality Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) inputs—including GESI-responsive and disaggregated data—to inform adaptive management and reporting to the donor.
Prepare stories of change, case studies, and lessons learned for adaptive management, and provide substantive inputs to donor reporting processes.
Contribute to the development and validation of MEL tools and reporting inputs for the project.
Facilitate coordination with community-based organizations, research institutions, universities, environmental authorities, private sector actors, and mining sector stakeholders committed to landscape restoration and sustainable production.
Identify implementation risks, propose mitigation measures, and support efficient resource allocation to ensure the timely delivery of project activities.
Support the Climate Adaptation Senior Officer in the monitoring on site of consultancies and technical support services provided by technicians and technologists, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Prepare technical briefs, progress informs, and communication materials for internal and external reporting.
Must be a Colombian citizen or hold a valid working visa.
Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Forestry Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Natural Sciences, or related fields.
(Desirable) A postgraduate degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Agroecology, or similar.
Minimum 3–4 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-based or nature-based solutions, climate adaptation in agriculture, sustainable landscape management, or related areas.
Experience in environmental policy, public investment planning, or implementation of public-sector budgets.
Experience working in the municipalities of the Cesar Mining Corridor is highly valued.
Strong understanding of Colombia’s public policy frameworks for natural resource management, climate resilience, agricultural development, and biodiversity conservation.
Familiarity with productive transition challenges in the Cesar region and the dynamics between rural communities, mining areas, and conservation priorities.
Demonstrated capacity to design and execute development projects within international cooperation, public sector, or private sector settings.
Proficiency in socio-environmental indicators, evaluation tools, and climate-resilient development approaches.
Experience working with national and subnational institutions, community organizations, producer associations, environmental authorities, and private sector actors.
Ability to facilitate dialogues, provide technical assistance, and manage multi-actor coordination in landscape governance processes.
Fluency in Spanish and English (written and spoken).
Availability to travel within Cesar is required; periodic travel to Bogotá may be requested.
Previous work with international organizations—especially matrix-structured institutions like GGGI—is an asset.
Strong understanding of climate adaptation, risk management and ecosystem-based adaptation /nature-based solution approaches.
Ability to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget, with strong planning and prioritization skills.
Capacity to anticipate risks, propose mitigation strategies, and adapt to rapidly changing project environments.
Strong analytical and technical advisory skills, with the ability to guide partners and tailor approaches to their capacities and needs.
Excellent communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to translate technical concepts for diverse audiences.
High attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and quality control in documentation and reporting.
Ability to work under pressure, manage competing demands, and remain constructive in challenging contexts.
Strong analytical and coordination skills,
Solid understanding of sustainable production frameworks, agroecological and climate-smart practices, ecosystem-based management,
Ability to translate technical concepts into actionable recommendations for producers, associations, and government counterparts.
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary environments.
Ability to deliver results in a timely, cost-efficient manner.
High ethical standards, sensitivity to conflict dynamics and do-no-harm principles.
Proactive learning attitude and continuous improvement mindset.
Commitment to GGGI’s values of integrity, boldness, excellence, inclusiveness and transformational.
Promote the optimum use of public resources.
Promotes an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
Processes and shares information easily.
Manages emotions and stress positively, builds rapport, and resolves conflict easily.
Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.
The Sustainable Production Model Associate is an X6 grade level in GGGI's Colombia Salary Scale. The salary range for the position starts at USD 17,757. Determination of base salary is subject to the candidate's experience, academic background, and internal equity.
In addition to the base salary, the contract includes a 15% contribution toward a retirement or long-term savings plan, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance coverage (including dental and vision).
GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.
The deadline for applications will follow the official announcement and is based on Korean Standard Time (KST). Shortlisted candidates may be invited to submit a writing sample or attend a technical interview.
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
