DRC: Program Development and Policy Coordinator

Jun 2, 2018 | World Wildlife Fund
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The WWF is engaged in supporting the environmental friendly infrastructure development in DRC especially when it impacts the thematic and geographical scope of its work. Understanding the dominant models of those infrastructure developments provide a basis for anticipating where ecological pressures are likely to arise. WWF DRC finalized its conservation strategy at the beginning of 2017 aligned to the WWF new Global Goals as presented through six practices (Forest, Food, Climate and Energy, Wildlife, Ocean, and Freshwater) and three drivers (Governance, Market and Finance). The strategy presents an opportunity for the DRC national office to reorganize more efficiently to deliver at scale towards its main goal and unique critical contributions to the community centered conservation agenda.

Major functions:

The Program Development and Policy Manager supports the delivery of transformational and lasting conservation impacts by building and leading WWF DRC’s energy and infrastructure program, ensuring coherent integration of thematic and geographical plans as presented in the country Strategic Plan, connect with DRC ministries in charge of energy, infrastructure and others to support the regulation of the sector for the benefit of people and the environment.

He/She provides advices to the Head of Conservation on pertinent conservation issues in the country and their implication at regional and international level. He/She leads the tactical implementation of the WWF energy mix and infrastructure programme in all landscapes and in partnership with key international, governmental and local partners. As the Energy Practice focal point, he or she will lead the concertation and empowerment of civil society to take ownership of the future sustainable energy orientation in the DRC. By doing so, he or she will support the engagement with multilateral and bilateral institutions to influence the policies around energy (Oil, hydropower, solar power, mining…) in the DRC.   

He (She) will represent WWF-DRC in the Energy transformational project as developed by the Regional Office for Africa.  He/she will be the contact point with the WWF Freshwater Practice Rivers and Infrastructure Coordinator and E&C Practice team.

Major duties and responsibilities:

In close collaboration with WWF-DRC Head of Conservation, program managers, landscape leaders, the Africa Energy Transfromational team and the relevant Global Practice Teams (Freshwater and Energy & Climate Change in particular) and other keys partners, the Program Development and Policy Manager will:

Strategy and orientations

  • Develop the energy and infrastructure program using a participatory, adaptive management approach.
  • Engage in energy and infrastructure related policy work to influence the decision making in the way that supports other areas of WWF-DRC works.
  • Ensure that national and provincial strategies for sustainable energy mix are developed in a participative way by the government (mini hydropower, solar power, etc.).
  • Ensure the alignment between WWF-DRC energy programme and the Africa Energy transformational project while also acting as technical representative in the ETP working group.
  • Collect relevant law and application decrees on various aspects (particularly on energy and infrastructures) in order to give policy advices to WWF DRC office and landscapes leaders.
  • Collaborate with related stakeholders in the development of institutional relationships and partnerships relevant to the hydropower and infrastructures safeguards.
  • Connect with parliaments and senators and other government bodies (ADEPI, Ministry of Energy, presidency…) to influence the legal dimension of infrastructure.
  • Connect with Civil Society Organization to support their voice in the energy development in the DRC.
  • Provides technical expertise for WWF activities on Energy and Infrastructure and its relation with (REDD+) in coordination with relevant Practices and national offices;
  • Ensure that relevant global and regional issues are translated into pragmatic orientations in the new strategic activities in parallel to institutional and civil society concertation.
  • Provides support to WWF DRC in developing position in regards of WWF policies, Government and institutions orientations particularly on energy and infrastructure issues.
  • Coordinate WWF technical contributions into relevant high quality development project proposals, inception and implementation at national, sub-national and local scale;
  • Collaborate, with other appropriate partners, in the development of a financial mechanism supporting conservation of water basins related to hydro power dam generation;
  • As much as possible, practically develop based on current experiences, a pilot financial mechanism that could help maintain forest ecosystem services through hydro power revenue’s generation;

Finance and Operations

  • With the direct support of the manager of finance and administration, ensures development of project budgets for approval, technical and financial reporting, and monitoring of expenditures against budgets.  Ensures establishment of financial management systems for the project(s) to adequately meet financial management needs and donor regulations and policies.
  • Analyze the current financial resources available and expected needs in the implementation of the new strategy;

Others

  • Works with WWF programme and Practice communicators to develop communication strategy approaches as necessary, and communication outreach to support WWF’s objectives;
  • Other related tasks as required.

Profile

Required Qualifications

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in economics of environment, hydro energy or infrastructure engineering or related disciplines.
  • Preferably a minimum experience of 10 years acquired in the area of conservation and development, regional cooperation, including interactions with development institutions. The last 3 to 5 years should be at a senior management level.
  • Familiarity with the work of other Conservation NGOs, Multilateral and Bilateral Development Finance Institutions in assisting conservation inputs in economic reform and addressing poverty reduction in developing countries;
  • Experience with working in large, multicultural organizations in the public or private sector with a diverse workforce and sensitivity to diversity concerns of staff and WWF network;
  • Understanding of institutional and legal framework in DRC as it relates to energy and infrastructure issues;
  • Leadership skills;

Required Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical and research skills;
  • Innovative, creative and willing to learn and to share knowledge with others.
  • Good writing and communication skills
  • Adherence to WWF’s values, which are: Optimistic, Engaging, Determined and Knowledgeable.
  • Fluent in French and with a good command of English

How to Apply?

If interested, please send your application letter with a CV stating your availability to the Human Resources Manager:

E-mail: recruit-wwfdrc@wwfdrc.org

Address: 14, avenue Sergent Moke, Concession Safricas, Quartier Socimat, Kinshasa / Ngaliema, DR Congo