Selection process developed by matteria

On-site. Sinaloa, Sonora, or Baja California - México.

Who we are

FUNDES is an international non-profit organization with more than 40 years of experience, dedicated to promoting the competitive and sustainable development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Latin America and the Caribbean through innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and impact projects with companies, governments, and multilateral organizations.

Our impact

• More than 40 years promoting the sustainable development of MSMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Presence in more than 20 countries across the region.

• More than 2 million MSMEs impacted through business strengthening projects.

• Strategic partner of private companies, public institutions, and international organizations.

Purpose of the Position

Ensure the proper execution of the Blue Economy project in the Gulf of California, leading its implementation in the field and ensuring technical, financial, and results-based compliance with IDB Lab.

The position will be responsible for coordinating actors, supervising field interventions, tracking indicators, timelines, and budget, and ensuring compliance with donor commitments.

Additionally, the person must be able to adequately represent FUNDES and the project in external spaces, meetings with partners, and events, clearly communicating the initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational leadership in the field: Lead the implementation of the project in selected communities, ensuring compliance with timelines, budget, and deliverables.

• Donor and multilateral organization management: Act as the technical-operational liaison with IDB Lab, preparing progress reports, consolidating evidence, tracking indicators, and responding to audit, supervision, or compliance requirements.

• Strategic coordination: Coordinate, in a cross-functional manner, the components of territorial governance, microenterprise strengthening, knowledge management, and the actors involved in implementation.

• Field coordination and logistics: Manage travel, per diems, activity records, and operations across the intervention areas, ensuring an organized and transparent execution.

• Risk mitigation: Identify territorial, community, or operational challenges early and propose practical solutions to ensure project continuity.

• Team and consultant management: Supervise the work of the project assistant and the network of external consultants involved in the technical components.

• Institutional representation of the project: Participate in events, meetings, or spaces with partners when required, clearly communicating the project’s progress, objectives, and value. The person is not expected to have fundraising targets, close funding, or directly manage commercial activities.

Requirements and competences to work with us

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Sustainable Development, Public Policy, or related fields.

• Master’s degree in project management, territorial development, or related fields is desirable.

• Project management certification is desirable, such as PMP or equivalent.

Experience

• Between 3 and 5 years leading or coordinating development projects with multilateral organizations or international cooperation agencies.

• Proven experience working under international donor guidelines, ideally IDB or IDB Lab.

• In the absence of direct experience with IDB, experience with GIZ, USAID, UN agencies, the European Union, or other organizations with high standards for reporting, monitoring, and compliance will be valued.

• Experience in territorial, community-based, or sustainable development projects.

• Experience managing multi-stakeholder projects and coordinating technical teams or consultants.

• Desirable experience in projects related to productive development, MSMEs, sustainability, blue economy, or coastal ecosystems.

• Desirable experience participating in institutional representation spaces, meetings with partners, events, or project presentations.

Knowledge and Skills

• Management of complex and multi-stakeholder projects. Operational planning and budget monitoring. Preparation of technical and financial reports for international donors. Management of indicators, timelines, and monitoring of physical and financial targets. Coordination of local actors, consultants, and technical teams. Territorial sensitivity and ability to work with communities. Clear, structured, and effective communication. Executive presence and institutional relationship-building skills. Knowledge of coastal ecosystems, territorial development, or blue economy is desirable. Languages: Advanced Spanish and English proficiency, for interaction with donors.

Competencies

• High attention to detail. Results orientation and commitment to meeting goals. Ability to influence, negotiate, and build partnerships. Strategic thinking and analytical capacity. Clear, structured, and effective communication. Autonomy and decision-making ability in complex contexts. Resilience and adaptability in territorial work environments.

Our team profile

Organizational Values / DNA:

• Strengthening MSMEs and their integration into the market.

• Generating sustainable economic impact and reducing business competitiveness gaps.

• Building partnerships that promote inclusive growth and local development.

Key interests for working with us

Territorial economic development. Environmental sustainability and blue economy. Strengthening the local business ecosystem. Innovation in sustainable development models.

This role is part of a strategic project for FUNDES, with high institutional visibility and collaboration with multilateral organizations and international partners.

The position will report to the regional operations squad of the project, which includes the Director of Operations for Latin America and the Project Manager in Mexico, working in close coordination with the regional FUNDES team, specialized consultants, and implementation partners.

Reasons to join our team

• Participate in a flagship blue economy project in Latin America.

• Work with high-level multilateral organizations and international partners.

• High institutional exposure and the opportunity to contribute to replicable territorial development models.

Relevant details before applying for this vacancy

• Residence in Sinaloa, Sonora, or Baja California is preferred.

• High availability to travel between intervention areas in the Gulf of California.

• Ability to work in community-based and multi-stakeholder contexts.

• Genuine interest in territorial development projects and fieldwork.