The International Potato Center (CIP) is searching an outstanding and experienced candidate as Regional Policy Outreach and Engagement Technical Advisor for our hosted organization, the Wyss Academy for Nature in the region.

The Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern brings together scientists, business leaders, policymakers, and communities to co-design innovative solutions to pressing, interconnected problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land use change, and rising inequality. Our vision is to achieve a just and sustainable world in which nature conservation and human wellbeing reinforce each other. To this end, our evolving institution – comprising four Regional Stewardship Hubs, in Europe, South America, East Africa and Southeast Asia – connects creative minds to jointly research, develop, implement, and empower technical, social, economic, institutional, and policy innovations at the interface of nature and people.

About the role: the selected candidate will lead and strengthen the Wyss Academy South America Hub’s territorial engagement in Madre de Dios by building partnerships and enabling multi-stakeholder collaboration and policy dialogue. Ensure alignment between local engagement, the Hub’s portfolio priorities, and relevant national and global policy processes. Support the Hub Director in fostering collaborative dynamics that contribute to systemic impact. This position will be based in Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios and will report to the Regional Stewardship Hub South America Director.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate local policy outreach in alignment with the Hub SAM strategic orientation, reinforcing connections between local and global processes and promoting cross‑hub learning and exchange.

• Develop and implement a strategic engagement plan that connects Hub initiatives with influential actors across the private sector, academia, government, civil society, and territorial stakeholders.

• Maintain an up‑to‑date stakeholder map, including interests, engagement history, and potential synergies to guide strategic decision‑making

• Ensure effective coordination and information flow between Hub project teams and external partners.

• Build and maintain structured engagement with local and regional government entities, including municipalities, regional offices, and planning units.

• Align Hub engagement with territorial development instruments and participatory planning processes.

• Support evidence‑informed policy processes through consultations, working groups, and dialogue platforms, with a primary focus on local and subnational levels.

• Design and facilitate collaborative spaces that foster co‑creation, joint action, and policy‑relevant dialogue across the Hub’s portfolio.

• Work with the Hub SAM MEL function to ensure engagement spaces produce structured learning inputs for adaptive management.

• Represent the Hub in relevant local and subnational decision‑making and participatory platforms, such as Marca Madre de Dios, the Regional Innovation Ecosystem, and the Mancomunidad Amazónica Regional.

• Participate selectively in national and regional policy discussions, conferences, and roundtables, when strategically relevant and agreed with the Hub Director.

• Serve as the liaison between the SAM Hub and the Global Engagement & Policy Outreach teams, ensuring alignment, two‑way exchange of priorities, and consistent information flow on policy work.

• Translate engagement insights and research findings into policy‑relevant briefs, summaries, and tailored inputs for diverse stakeholder groups.

• Coordinate closely with: Hub SAM MEL Technical Advisor (evidence framing, learning synthesis); Hub SAM Research

• Coordinator (research relevance and uptake); Hub SAM Communications Manager (messaging and external communication products).

• Ensure partner feedback, landscape insights, and meeting or workshop outcomes are systematically documented and shared to support monitoring, learning, and adaptive management.Comply with applicable health and safety CIP policies and procedures.

• Integrate field and stakeholder insights into Hub strategy refinement and contributions to global Wyss Academy initiatives.

• Coordinate cross‑functional processes requiring stakeholder engagement, collaboration, or policy alignment.

• Comply with applicable health and safety policies and procedures of CIP and the Wyss Academy.

What are we looking for?

• PhD or Master Degree (desirable) social sciences, environmental management, political science, sustainable development, or related fields.

• At least 8 years of experience in similar position and in stakeholder engagement, network building, partnership management, and/or multi-actor collaboration.

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse partners (private sector, NGOs, academia, local governments).

• Experience supporting policy processes (advocacy, policy dialogue, consultations) is an asset, but not the central requirement.

• Proven experience in territorial contexts in the Peruvian Amazon or similar socio-ecological regions.

• Experience engaging decentralized governance systems and local/regional governments is highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of sustainable development debates and socio-ecological dynamics in South America.

• Proven ability to apply culturally appropriate consultation practices, adapt facilitation formats to different cultural contexts, and manage power asymmetries and conflict dynamics in multi-actor settings.

• Specializations:

o Science–policy dialogue and translating evidence into actionable recommendations.

o Training and/or certification in intercultural facilitation, conflict transformation, or participatory methods (e.g., Art of Hosting, IAP2, mediation).

• Competencies: Engagement strategy development, stakeholder mapping & analysis, dialogue facilitation, influencing without authority, adaptive thinking.

• Excellent communication and networking skills and fluency in Spanish and English both written and oral. Working knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.

What are we offering?

• Great career opportunity in an international organization.

• Generous compensation package commensurate with experience.

• One-year term contract with the possibility of renewal.

• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

How to apply?

Visit the following link: https://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and submit your cover letter and a full C.V. in English with your references, latest by March 13, 2026. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position WILL NOT have contact with children or vulnerable adults

We look forward to receiving applications from individuals with disabilities who are willing to contribute their talent and skills to our team. If you require specific accommodations for the selection process due to a disability, please do not hesitate to inform us.

Learn more about Wyss Academy by accessing its web site at https://www.wyssacademy.org/

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.