Position Announcement

Date: January 2007

Project name:  Biodiversity Conservation in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve

General project description:  The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve (SBGR) in eastern-central Mexico has 15 types and sub-types of vegetation, thus constituting the richest natural protected area in the country in terms of ecosystem diversity and the second richest in terms of biodiversity. The magnificent ecosystems and species of the Reserve face numerous threats, including extensive livestock ranching, inefficient agricultural practices, wildfires and inadequate forest management practices, poaching, pollution and public works projects that do not conform to environmental regulations. The major root cause of these threats is widespread poverty. Over the years, inefficient productive systems, a lack of employment in the region and poor provision of public services have resulted in poverty for most of the inhabitants of the Reserve, and the region shows some of the lowest social and economic development indicators in Mexico.

The civil society organization Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda (GESG) was founded in 1987 by a group of Sierra citizens driven by the desire to respond to the region’s environmental, social and economic problems. The mission of GESG is to conserve the natural resources and promote the sustainable development of the Sierra Gorda through the uniting of citizen and institutional efforts. Currently, the major activities of GESG are being carried out as part of the Biodiversity Conservation in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve project. This eight-year project is being funded with support of the Global Environment Facility/United Nations Development Programme and with cash and in-kind co-financing from a wide range of project partners. Through this project, GESG, its partner Bosque Sustentable, A.C. and the SGBR are implementing a comprehensive approach to protecting biodiversity and advancing sustainability through a strategy of social participation. Among the expected results of this project is the obtainment of long-term financial sustainability for the conservation and sustainable development activities in the Reserve. 

Position available:  Fundraising & Public Relations Professional

Location: Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro, Mexico, within the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve.

Responsibilities: Updating and carrying-out the fundraising calendar for the programs of affiliated civil society organizations and cost-recovery enterprises.  Research of new funding resources and proposal writing; coordinating and following-up on proposal guidelines and deadlines; and writing, coordinating and following-up with project reports and requests.  Translations from Spanish to English, English to Spanish.

Experience required: 3 years experience in a combination of fund raising, public or international relations, ecology, environmental studies, translation, writing or similar careers.

Language skills required: Ability to communicate verbally in English and Spanish. At a minimum, the ability to write professionally without errors in one language and with minimal errors in the other. Ability to translate between English and Spanish.

Time commitment (minimum):  2 years

Salary:  $10,000 – 12,000 Mexican pesos per month. Negotiable depending on experience.

Contract for first three months:  Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda

1-year contract after 3 months:  United Nations Development Programme (Mexico office), same position

To apply:  Please send resume or curriculum vitae with cover letter and two letters of reference clearly citing fundraising and writing experience to sierragordareserve@yahoo.com with a reference to this position announcement.

CONTACT PERSON:  Laura P. Pérez Arce