Congo: Republic of Congo Team Lead

Aug 10, 2018 | World Resources Institute
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World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. WRI is working to address six critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water and sustainable cities. WRI is passionate. WRI values a diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. WRI has a flexible work environment. And WRI shares a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. These shared ideals are at the core of WRI’s approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of WRI’s work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. WRI works with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, WRI brings together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

WRI has been growing rapidly: the staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and the operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of nearly 700 people with work spanning 50 countries and has offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States. WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.  

WRI Central Africa Forest Team

WRI’s Central Africa Forest Team has been working to strengthen transparency and accountability of forest sector-decision making in the Congo Basin for over a decade, including significant experience working with government and other institutional partners in Republic of Congo (ROC) to develop forest and natural resource information management policies, programs, and systems. WRI is seeking a Team Lead to manage and expand its activities in ROC, which currently focus on improving forest and land-use decisions through maintaining the ROC Forest Atlas and strengthening land-use planning at the national level.

The Team Lead will be responsible for daily management of WRI activities in ROC) under the direction of the WRI regional office in Kinshasa. Major responsibilities will include development of work plans, team management, technical support and quality control for other team members, and monitoring of project impacts and results. The position will also ensure that WRI’s financial and administrative procedures are respected.

The Team Lead will report to the WRI Program Manager for Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo, based in Kinshasa, and will work closely with the Congo technical team (Land Planning Specialist, Program Officer and Technical Assistant) and the rest of the Central Africa and WRI Forest team.

Job responsibilities

  • Ensure the quality of strategies, plans, analyses, and data products developed by WRI in Republic of Congo
  • Support the DRC / ROC Program Manager in carrying out strategic planning, monitoring, and reporting of WRI's activities in ROC
  • Develop and maintain relationships with local partners including government agencies, civil society, research institutions, and NGOs
  • Collaborate with WRI forest program staff in Kinshasa and Washington, DC to design new strategies and programs in ROC
  • Identify new opportunities and develop funding proposals for WRI’s work in ROC
  • Support the Central Africa Operations Manager to oversee financial and administrative procedures in Congo to ensure compliance with WRI procedures and donor requirements
  • Contribute to development of WRI’s overall Congo Basin portfolio as needed
  • Travel as needed to support the implementation of WRI programs in the Congo Basin

 Qualifications

  • At least 5-7 years of experience working on donor-funded natural resource management or international development programs; prior management experience preferred
  • Graduate degree in geography, environmental science, natural resource management, international development, or significant demonstrated experience in these or related fields
  • Understanding of the forest/natural resource sector in Africa (e.g., forest policies and laws, forest management and law enforcement practices, governance and institutional context, forest and land tenure regimes, biodiversity conservation),
  • Demonstrated experience managing technical workstreams and monitoring progress towards project activities and objectives
  • Experience managing partnerships, especially with governments and civil society in Africa
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, particularly when it comes to communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences
  • Professional fluency in French and English
  • Ability to think holistically and contribute to building high-impact strategies in a complex environment, while maintaining attention to details
  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines while setting and delivering on clear priorities
  • Enjoys working within a large, diverse, dynamic and collaborative team environment
  • Willingness to travel up to 20% of time.