DRC: Executive Director

Apr 19, 2021 | Jane Goodall Institute
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The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global community conservation organisation founded by Dr. Goodall in 1977.

The Jane Goodall Institute is currently recruiting for Executive Director assigned to the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). JGI USA initiated the DRC Program in 2005 and began implementing integrated community-centered conservation and Roots & Shoots activities in the Maiko-Tayna-Kahuzi Biega Landscape, an area rich in biodiversity with tremendous chimpanzee conservation potential. Currently, JGI coordinates the multi-stakeholder Ushiriki (‘union’ in KiSwahili) consortium implementing the IUCN Action Plan for Grauer’s Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Eastern DRC in partnership with over 20 active local and international partners in a 268,000km² landscape across five provinces.

The successful candidate for the Executive Director role should be a senior-level professional with a proven track record of managing country programs, establishing, and maintaining excellent relationships with government and partners. The Executive Director is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of the JGI DRC country office, including strategy implementation, program direction, oversight and accountability for resources and office operations, and work with stakeholders, including national, regional and local government officials, partners and donors to ensure success.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Expand the JGI DRC country program as a locally owned organization that has the structure and capacity to work with other JGI chapters and support overall JGI mission in DRC
• Provide strategic direction and lead implementation of all programs in support of the Action Plan for Grauer’s gorillas and chimpanzees in Eastern DRC and in coordination with JGI strategies, including JGI USA Africa Programs Strategy, and Science Strategy.
• Expand the Roots & Shoots program, capacity and resources to engage youth in DRC to help create a better world for people, animals and the environment.
• Provide ongoing leadership and management direction for the DRC country office including operations, programs, finance, administration and human resources;
• Ensure successful implementation of all projects in accordance with JGI and donor requirements (narrative and financial), and the JGI Global Indicator Reporting Process;
• Lead and coordinate efforts to enhance awareness, buy-in of, and implementation of the Action Plan for Grauer’s gorillas and chimpanzees in Eastern DRC (CAP) by national, regional and territorial government authorities, partner NGO’s and local institutions;
• Ensure that all administrative and governmental documents needed for compliance with statutory regulations are in place and managing fiscal control visits initiated by the DRC local tax office;
• Lead and coordinate the development and management of grant acquisition in collaboration with JGI-USA and other JGI chapters, to grow the country portfolio of projects to achieve conservation results and impacts;
• Enhance financial sustainability of programs and operations through targeted resource mobilization efforts and effective budget management;
• Lead the development and submission of Annual Budgets (Annual Operating Plans) for all JGI activities and programs in the DRC;
• Lead the staff to improve performance and delivery, ensure compatibility of staff capacity with achievement of goals, and enhance overall management of project teams;
• Recruit, supervise and evaluate the professional and administrative staff in the DRC with full authority to ensure compliance with all JGI strategies, policies, code of conduct, procedures (including security), and guidelines and to assure smooth project operations and effective staff performance;
• Ensure the safety of staff and adherence to security, safety and health protocols during delivery of project activities;
• Implement a communications strategy to raise the profile of chimpanzees in the DRC and bring national attention to the threats they face, in coordination with the actors implementing the Action Plan for Grauer’s gorillas and chimpanzees in Eastern DRC (CAP), the JGI-USA Communications team;
• Maintain effective communications with JGI - USA and with JGI chapters world-wide, as well as with donors such as Arcus, Disney, and others, as appropriate;
• Identify and engage with national and regional platforms relevant for the DRC program.
• Represent JGI in workshops in the DRC and at regional and international conferences;
• Assist Dr. Jane Goodall and other Jane Goodall Institute staff when visiting the DRC.

• In line with JGI USA Standards for Development, Implementation and Learning (DIL) and Science Platform, support effective adaptive management of project implementation focusing on the effectiveness of project portfolio execution and ensure an evidence-based approach to community centered conservation and mitigation of threats to chimpanzees and their habitats using the best science available and appropriate use of technologies;
• Ensure that sub-awardees and subcontractors are in compliance with applicable regulations, corporate policy, and good commercial practice;

Requirements

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in natural resource management, natural or biological sciences, economic growth, international development or other relevant discipline;
• A minimum of five (5) years in a senior management position in international development, such as relevant experience in managing a NGO, company, unit of a company, or experience as a Chief-of-Party or (or Deputy) for an international donor and/or foundation in the DRC or East & Central Africa;
• Demonstrated senior leadership and management skills in fostering teamwork, motivating others, managing organizational change, developing and sustaining strategic partnerships in a complex context;
• Excellent diplomatic skills and the ability to reach out to many different audiences, including members of the JGI organization, and the management and staff of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, as well as members of civil society;
• Experience with all aspects of management including administration, finance, and human resources;
• Demonstrated mature judgment and integrity;
• Proven cross-functional management experience preferred, with ability to develop high-performing & motivated teams;
• Ability to work under deadline pressures and to manage multitasking requirements;
• Demonstrated communication skills, both verbal and written, including work with the media;
• Exceptional English and French written and oral communication skills;
• Knowledge of, or experience in, the application of the Conservation Standards (Conservation Measures Partnership, CMP) is preferred;
• Citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo is preferred.

JGI prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by U.S. or International law.