POSTED: 17th August 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME, GUATEMALA, GUATEMALA CITY
MISSION TO METRICS
The Ocean Cleanup is a global nonprofit that develops and scales solutions to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, driving systemic change, and creating a lasting positive impact for people, wildlife, and the planet.
We are seeking a Project Manager for the implementation of river deployment projects aimed at achieving successful plastic interception in Guatemala and Honduras. This is a remote position preferably based in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The role involves creating project plannings, controls, and progress monitoring, as well as ensuring effective work processes and progress.
THE ASSIGNMENT
As a Project Manager for the Deployments & Operations department, you will be responsible for successful implementation of plastic interception systems in Guatemala and Honduras. You will cooperate closely with a local Regional Operations Manager and a local Senior Business Development Manager, as well as the colleagues in Headquarters to develop project plans leading to successful deployments. You will act as a key link between local project execution and HQ on planning, deployment, and scale-up activities. This role is expected to grow over time, gradually taking on additional projects across Guatemala and Honduras as the program scales. You will participate in selecting local suppliers and contractors, assist with governmental conversations related to our deployments, and lead discussions and negotiations with waste offtakers.
We are looking for someone who:
“At Rivers Project Management, we work on transformative projects that protect our oceans from plastic pollution. We are looking for an eager candidate ready to embark on their project management journey and contribute to this vital cause. Join our team and apply your skills in an innovative, fast-paced environment." – Marco Piët, VP Deployments & Operations
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Project Management
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME, GUATEMALA, GUATEMALA CITY
MISSION TO METRICS
The Ocean Cleanup is a global nonprofit that develops and scales solutions to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, driving systemic change, and creating a lasting positive impact for people, wildlife, and the planet.
We are seeking a Project Manager for the implementation of river deployment projects aimed at achieving successful plastic interception in Guatemala and Honduras. This is a remote position preferably based in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The role involves creating project plannings, controls, and progress monitoring, as well as ensuring effective work processes and progress.
THE ASSIGNMENT
As a Project Manager for the Deployments & Operations department, you will be responsible for successful implementation of plastic interception systems in Guatemala and Honduras. You will cooperate closely with a local Regional Operations Manager and a local Senior Business Development Manager, as well as the colleagues in Headquarters to develop project plans leading to successful deployments. You will act as a key link between local project execution and HQ on planning, deployment, and scale-up activities. This role is expected to grow over time, gradually taking on additional projects across Guatemala and Honduras as the program scales. You will participate in selecting local suppliers and contractors, assist with governmental conversations related to our deployments, and lead discussions and negotiations with waste offtakers.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has an affinity for waste management, civil / offshore / waterworks engineering, and willing to learn on the go.
- Enjoys developing big picture goals to mid & short-term objectives, and can translate on-the-ground insights into actionable plans for scale.
- Enjoys balancing day-to-day technical and operational realities with structured project work.
- Can manage multiple (internal & external) stakeholders whilst prioritizing outcomes as needed.
“At Rivers Project Management, we work on transformative projects that protect our oceans from plastic pollution. We are looking for an eager candidate ready to embark on their project management journey and contribute to this vital cause. Join our team and apply your skills in an innovative, fast-paced environment." – Marco Piët, VP Deployments & Operations
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Project Management
- Lead the implementation of Deployment Projects strategic plan, in collaboration with the Regional Operations Manager and support of the Operations team in the Headquarters, including sourcing and negotiating agreements with waste offtakers.[TW1.1]
- Guide project team & gather technical, operational, and waste-management inputs into feasibility studies, site assessments, permitting considerations, and deployment planning.
- Lead & own project planning, timelines, budgets, risk assessments, and build “Plan B” contingencies for new river projects.
- Lead preparation for new deployments or large upgrades of existing deployments, including logistics, operations readiness, and coordination with local implementation partners.
- Manage progress across multiple initiatives and ensure alignment between local execution and HQ expectations.
- Design and implement a local supplier strategy along with your local counterparts that ensures timely delivery and deployment.
- Lead end-to-end RFX processes with supply chain. You’ll negotiate proposals that balance cost, quality, and agility, and develop legal contracts with the selected organizations.
- Lead and/or participate in local stakeholder and waste offtakers meetings where operational credibility, feasibility, or implementation detail is required.
- Support and/or occasionally lead discussions with government institutions, regulators, and public stakeholders by providing operational, technical, waste-management, and permitting-related nuances.
- Help translate policy, permitting, and regulatory requirements into concrete operational and project implications.
- Support Regional Operations Manager towards contract management with existing partners. Identify, assess, and help onboard potential local operations, waste management, and maintenance partners in Guatemala.
- Work closely with the local Senior Business Development representative on partner sourcing and evaluations by moving beyond transactional relationships.
- Report progress, potential bottlenecks, risks, key operational insights to the HQ & Regional D&O Director.
- Prepare structured updates on operations and scale-up activities for stakeholders.
- Support HQ teams with reliable local data, feedback, and contextual understanding.
- Ensure structured handover after successful delivery of a project, with complete documentation and stakeholder context for the Operations Manager.
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical, engineering, operations, or project management-related field.
- 8–12 years of relevant experience in operations management, project management, or a hybrid role, preferably in infrastructure-heavy or public-sector–adjacent environments. Has experience with project management tools (e.g. MS Project, Planner).
- Proven ability to support multi-stakeholder projects involving planning, execution, and operational handover. Has worked across multiple cultural setup and able to navigate cultural communication dynamics.
- Proven ability on budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and performance reporting.
- Experience in building a supplier base from scratch in emerging or complex markets is a strong plus.
- Experience in procurement & supply chain management is a strong plus.
- Experience with infrastructure/maritime/civil works/ environmental or asset-heavy operations is a strong plus.
- Fluency in Spanish & English.
- Comfortable engaging with (senior) external stakeholders, including funders, municipal corporations, regional and national government institutions, waste offtakers.
- Able to support and participate in high-level discussions alongside team members, representing The Ocean Cleanup in a professional and credible manner and contributing to trust-based relationships.
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Hands-on, pragmatic, and comfortable operating in complex, evolving environments. You get energy by working in fast-paced setups and from seeing tasks and projects through to completion.
- You have a "roll up your sleeves" attitude and can talk technical specs with engineers and contract terms with lawyers.
- Able to switch between strategic planning and operational problem-solving on the go.
- Experience managing transitions of existing projects/relationships, with sensitivity to established stakeholder dynamics.
- Strong communicator with cultural sensitivity and stakeholder awareness.
- Structured, detail-oriented, and proactive in identifying issues before they escalate.
- Comfortable working remotely while coordinating across time zones.
- Intrinsically motivated by The Ocean Cleanup’s mission and impact.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Location: Remote, ideally based in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Residency permits or ability to work in the country is required.
- Travel: Ability to travel to different sites in Guatemala (including both Caribbean and Pacific coast) and Honduras, plus occasional travel abroad (visits to HR in Rotterdam, and to projects in nearby countries)
- Start date: As soon as possible.
- At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.