The Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO), located in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of the ecosystems of the Northern Gulf of California. With an ecosystem approach, CEDO works closely with communities in developing sound management and conservation practices for fisheries, endangered species such as the vaquita, and marine and coastal habitats. CEDO’s activities include conservation programs (research and education), operation of a visitors’ center open to the public and a biological field station for students groups and researchers.

Description:
The successful candidate should demonstrate leadership, strategic thinking, knowledge, passion and a broad understanding and experience with concepts of marine and coastal conservation, research and environmental education, preferably in the Gulf of California. The candidate should have knowledge of or experience with integrated ecosystem management, coastal zone management or related experiences. The candidate should have experience in administration and institutional management, fundraising and grant management. Communication is a key component of this position, requiring excellent written and verbal communications skills in Spanish and English. We expect the candidate to be capable of leading internal communication processes and to represent CEDO with governmental and non-governmental organizations and funders.

The principal responsibilities of this Subdirector position are to assist in directing and coordinating CEDO in the development and implementation of strategic conservation and education work plans and in the operation of the Center, including coordinating internal communications to achieve efficient and effective completion of CEDO’s objectives in a collaborative manner, and help represent the organization to a variety of groups.

General Responsibilities:
- Help establish conservation strategies, annual goals, and work plans for the entire team.
- Help develop operational policies and practices that will insure good internal communication, good record-keeping and the good use of human, physical and financial resources of the organization.
- Assist in fundraising for conservation programs and for institutional operations.
- Assist in the supervision of all employees at the Puerto Peñasco facility.
- Coordinate communications within the work team to help achieve CEDO’s goals and foster a positive and respectful work atmosphere that all can be proud of.
- Assist in external communications with governmental authorities, the press, non-governmental agencies, academics and other strategically important groups with the purpose of achieving CEDO’s goals.
- Help in management of grant budgets and supervision of financial administration.
- Help the directors to complete the organization’s mission.

Professional requirements and preferred characteristics:
- Degree in natural sciences, environmental studies or related fields.
- Post-graduate studies in areas related to CEDO strategies and/or programs, public relations, economic development, public policy, or planning. - At least three years experience in director or coordination position with a non-profit or government agency related to the environment.
- Capacity to negotiate with the government, educational and academic and related organizations.
- Public relations and personnel management skills.
- Successful experience in fundraising.
- Outstanding leadership qualities.
- Communication and collaborative conflict resolution abilities.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Excellent speaking and writing skills in Spanish and English.
- Availability to reside in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora.
- Ability to travel and to work long hours.

The position and benefits:
- A competitive salary, commensurate with the candidate’s experience.
- Benefits as mandated by the law.

Application process:
Send the following, in one document, to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it :
1. a letter of interest in English
2. an executive summary of your professional experience (four pages maximum)
3. three references, information about how they know your work, and contact details
- Please send applications by the end of September, with telephonic interviews to begin the first of October, 2010.
- Applications are welcomed until the position is filled.
- All candidates will receive notification of the status of their application.  

For more information about CEDO and its work, visit our website: www.cedointercultural.org. CEDO was the winner of the “National Recognition for the Conservation of Nature 2007” awarded by Mexico’s Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas de la Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. In 2009 CEDO won SEMARNAT’s “Ecological Merit Award” in the category of informal environmental education. 

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