Overview

Partners of the Americas seeks an experienced Field Project Director to lead a two-year project in rural Guatemala that strengthens 25 farmer organizations serving 2,950 smallholder fruit and vegetable farmers. The project improves business management, financial practices, and connections with buyers and financial institutions; supports agricultural practices that help manage drought and flooding risks; and helps farmer organizations strengthen labor standards to meet market requirements. The Field Project Director will provide in-country leadership and management, ensuring effective implementation and high-quality results. This position reports to the Senior Director of Agriculture and Food Security at Partners of the Americas’ home office in Washington, DC, and will be based in Guatemala, with frequent travel to rural communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall in-country leadership and management to achieve project objectives, including annual work plans, field budgets, and performance management systems.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, Partners of the Americas policies, and Guatemalan laws and regulations.
• Oversee the organizational strengthening of farmer organizations in governance, business and financial management, and long-term sustainability.
• Guide training on climate-resilient agricultural practices, post-harvest handling, access to finance, and labor standards.
• Support farmer organizations in aggregating production and meeting buyer requirements for quality, volume, and consistency.
• Serve as the primary in-country liaison with farmer organizations, buyers, financial institutions, government ministries, and other stakeholders, and convene buyer–farmer dialogues.
• Oversee field finances, procurement, logistics, and consultants in accordance with Partners of the Americas’ policies and donor requirements.
• Oversee monitoring and data collection, promote women’s participation, and provide timely, high-quality inputs for reports and communications materials.
• Other relevant tasks assigned by the home office Project Manager.

Team Management

• Supervise, mentor, and develop the field team, promoting accountability through clear expectations, regular one-on-one meetings, and performance reviews.
• Create and maintain a respectful work environment where team members strive for excellence.

Responsibilities of All Partners’ Team Members

• Have a clear and deep understanding of POA and donor policies and standards to comply with programmatic, financial, administrative, procurement, logistics, human resources, and security processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Rural Development, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience managing agricultural or rural development projects in Guatemala, including donor-funded programs and leading field teams.
• Demonstrated experience working with farmer organizations or cooperatives on organizational strengthening, market access, and fruit and vegetable value chains.
• Technical knowledge of climate-resilient agriculture, post-harvest handling, rural finance, and agricultural labor standards.
• Strong planning, budgeting, supervision, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Full professional fluency in Spanish and professional proficiency in English required.
• Legal authorization to work in Guatemala and a valid driver’s license required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises the Field Administrative Assistant and Field Officers.

To apply, please submit your resume to Gustavo Galdo at the following email address “ggaldo@partners.net” with the subject “Field Project Director, Guatemala – Candidate Last Name”. Please note that only finalists will be contacted.

Partners Is Proud To Be An Equal Employment Opportunity And Affirmative Action Employer. Partners Does Not Discriminate In Employment On The Basis Of Race, Color, Religion, Sex (Including Pregnancy And Gender Identity), National Origin, Political Affiliation, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Disability, Genetic Information, Age, Membership In An Employee Organization, Retaliation, Parental Status, Military Service, Or Other Non-Merit Factor.