DRC: CARPE Chief of Party

Apr 9, 2016 | World Resources Institute
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WRI seeks a full-time Chief of Party (CoP) to lead implementation of the five year (2014-2019) WRI-led Strengthening Central Africa Environmental Monitoring and Policy Support (SCAEMPS) program, as part of USAID’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (RoC).  Information on CARPE can be found here: https://www.usaid.gov/central-africa-regional.  As a key program within CARPE, the SCAEMPS consortium (WRI, Africa Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund and CODELT) aims to achieve the following overall objectives in the DRC and the Republic of Congo RoC:

  1. Policy and regulatory environments supporting sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation established
  2. Capacity increased and strengthened at regional, national and local levels to monitor forest cover change, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity

The CoP will be primarily responsible for ensuring successful implementation of the in-country activities under SCAEMPS in the DRC and RoC.  SCAEMPS focuses on achieving CARPE’s activities through implementation of the following strategies:

  1. Strengthen community based natural resource management including linkages to REDD+
  2. Strengthen wildlife crime law enforcement
  3. Improve protected area management
  4. Increase capacity for forest monitoring and information sharing
  5. Strengthen land-use planning and local tenure

The CoP will be based in Kinshasa, DRC and liaise with the Kinshasa-based USAID-CARPE team, as well as other CARPE implementing partners in order to ensure regular lines of communication and coordination in work planning and implementation.  The CoP will also be responsible for managing a team composed of staff, consultants and sub-grantees.  As a key member of WRI’s Forest Team in Central Africa, the CoP will also play a significant role in orienting strategy across the Congo Basin.  The CoP will report to the Africa Forests Manager (based in Washington, D.C.), and also work in very close collaboration with the Congo Basin Regional Coordinator and the rest of WRI’s Forest Team.

  • Manage the overall implementation of the WRI-led SCAEMPS program in the DRC and RoC
  • Represent WRI and the SCAEMPS program officially to USAID-CARPE in Kinshasa and collaborating partners and institutions
  • Lead development and management of, and reporting against SCAEMPS annual work plan, budget and indicators
  • Lead compilation of SCAEMPS technical reports and deliverables to USAID-CARPE
  • Lead development and design of policy and technical strategies under SCAEMPS (including both WRI and SCAEMPS implementing partners)
  • Organize and chair coordination and working group calls/meetings of WRI project staff, SCAEMPS implementing partners and USAID, as necessary
  • Lead establishment of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partner organizations and institutions
  • Ensure coordination and harmonization of data collection and reporting amongst relevant CARPE (EMAPS and CAFEC) implementing partners
  • Manage work plans and deliverables of sub-grantees and contractors, in collaboration with WRI-Washington DC
  • Coordinate the provision of regular technical, analytical, communication and strategic support to WRI forest team staff working under SCAEMPS in the DRC and RoC
  • Ensure quality control of communications, reports, presentations and other deliverables from WRI’s work in DRC and RoC
  • Represent WRI and SCAEMPS to partners and stakeholders in Central Africa and internationally
  • Lead design and oversight of an effective communications strategy under SCAEMPS
  • Lead staff recruitment and team organization to respond to SCAEMPS activities and demands
  • Ensure coordination, capacity building and career development of WRI’s DRC and RoC staff, through the direct management of ~5 and indirect management of ~10 employees
  • Coordinate closely in strategy development, work planning and activity implementation with WRI’s Regional Congo Basin and larger Global Forest Watch teams
  • Contribute to fundraising activities that support WRI’s and CARPE mission in DRC/RoC
Qualifications
  • Minimum 5 years experience as a Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party or similar management role in a donor-funded context (experience with USAID desired)
  • Minimum 10 years experience working in a donor-funded development program context
  • Minimum Masters degree in geography, environmental science, natural resource management or significant demonstrated experience in these or related fields
  • Professional competency in English and in French
  • Demonstrated leadership ability
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, particularly when it comes to communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences
  • Significant hands-on experience managing or supporting management of forests/natural resources in Africa
  • Strong 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)
  • Significant understanding of how remote sensing, GIS, remote-sensing and other relevant technologies can be used in conjunction with field-based methods to support improved forest and land-use management
  • Proven ability to think holistically and build high-impact strategies in a complex environment, while maintaining attention to details
  • Ability to lead and manage a medium sized team composed of multiple nationalities
  • Proven ability to cultivate and manage relationships with donors and external partners, across private, public and NGO sectors
  • 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.

Final candidates will be required to take a writing test.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and with an additional benefits package

Location: Kinshasa, DRC