DRC: Chief of Party, CAFEC

Feb 23, 2017 | World Wildlife Fund
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World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Chief of Party (CoP) to plan, coordinate and oversee program activities related to the contract between WWF and USAID’s Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) of the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), Phase III, to support the goal of CAFEC which is to maintain the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystems of the Congo Basin through sustainable management of forests and reduction of threats to biodiversity, specifically in four Landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

CAFEC began on October 1, 2013 and is scheduled to run for five years (through end of September 2018). The program will be implemented in part by WWF in collaboration with various national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations and agencies. The CoP will be responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing program activities related to the contract between WWF and USAID under Phase III of the CARPE Program

The Chief of Party will direct staff, oversee grants, sub-grants and consulting contracts as needed, coordinate with staff from WWF and partner organizations in the region on a daily basis, and collaborate with a range of government and partner organizations across the region in accordance with USAID and WWF field operation regulations.



Responsibilities:

CAFEC program oversight: Plans, directs and oversees the management of program activities in accordance with WWF field operations policies and procedures. In collaboration with each of the Landscape Leaders and the Finance Administrator, the CoP develops and approves annual work plans and budgets for submission to WWF US and USAID. Ensures that the program is making progress towards its objectives in accordance with the program description and contractual agreements. Works with the Landscape Leaders and the Conservation Director of WWF DRC to assure integration of CAFEC activities within the overall WWF DRC conservation program, and promote results-based approaches in alignment with CARPE objectives and WWF DRC’s Conservation Strategy. Coordinates timely development and quality control of deliverables (work plans, semi-annual reports (SAR), annual reports (AR), etc.) for submission to the WWF US Managing Director and USAID in accordance with contractual deadlines and guidance from USAID or partners.

Program implementation: Manages the CAFEC program and team using a participatory, adaptive management approach. Ensures that management systems are established, administers the program, and ensures that all program activities under CAFEC are coordinated effectively and are well integrated with other relevant USG or other donor- funded initiatives within each Landscape. With support from WWF, the CoP ensures that the CAFEC program, including sub-grants, is in compliance with donor policies and regulations. He/she is responsible for overseeing contractual agreements with program participants. Provides technical leadership in major program components.

Financial management: With the direct support of the Finance Administrator and the Landscape teams, develops project field budgets for each Landscape, for approval by WWF-US, and monitors expenditures against budgets. Works with the Financial Administrator on a daily basis to assure financial mechanisms are in place to permit program implementation and monitor accounting, administrative and operational procedures to ensure full compliance with WWF-US, WWF-Int. and donors regulations in particular USAID. Works with the WWF US Director to manage sub-grants. Monitors accounting, administrative and operational procedures, standards and policies for the CAFEC program, including sub-grants. In collaboration with the Finance Administrator, prepares and submits quarterly financial reports to WWF-US in accordance with established procedures.

Human resources: Determines the personnel requirements of the program and participates in the recruitment, selection and hiring of personnel. Participates in evaluating performance. Supervises direct project staff, manages budget and operations associated with staff funded by CAFEC in accordance with USAID and WWF DRC policies and regulations, and in close collaboration with the WWF DRC People and Organizational Development (POD) unit and Senior Management Team (SMT).

Material needs: Determines the material needs of the program; develops/updates procurement plans with each Landscape Leader for approval by WWF-US, and in collaboration with the program’s logisticians, arranges for procurement of equipment. Assures proper maintenance of the CAFEC program equipment inventory.

Provision of technical assistance: Provides technical assistance in areas of expertise. Identifies needs for short-term technical assistance. Develops terms of reference, prepares consulting agreements for consultants, facilitates work, and provides oversight of short-term consultancies. Performs site visits to monitor progress, assure compliance and provide targeted technical support. Assures findings are communicated to Landscape Leaders, WWF DRC SMT and WWF-US where appropriate.

Monitoring and evaluation: In collaboration with WWF staff and each Landscape Leader, assures systems are in place to monitor and report results in accordance with CAFEC performance monitoring plans (PMPs). Monitors program implementation and identifies and plans for evaluation needs.

Relationships: Establishes and maintains efficient working relationships with the CARPE director at USAID and other relevant USG staff, other program participants, stakeholders, beneficiaries and other relevant organizations in the DRC and the Congo Basin region including government partners. Serves as primary point of contact for USAID/CARPE, and maintains relationships with SCAEMPS and Chiefs of Party of other CAFEC organizations and other implementing partners.

Communications: Coordinates external communication on CAFEC with the WWF DRC office (and WWF-US headquarters and/or USAID when required by policies and procedures). In all external communications the CoP operates as an employee of the WWF Network. Holds regular (no less than bi-weekly) CAFEC Operations and Program meetings to ensure appropriate communication of CAFEC-related activities and operations. Assures any significant technical and/or operational issues affecting CAFEC are communicated as appropriate to WWF US, WWF DRC and partners; coordinates appropriate response with WWF DRC and WWF US Managing Director.

Performs other duties as requested.

Qualifications:

  • At least a master’s-level degree in forestry, conservation biology, natural resource management, international development or related field of study
  • Must have at least 8 years of field experience managing large, complex conservation and/or natural resource management projects.
  • Strong background in natural resource management, including species conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation (REDD+), land-use planning, and/or related topics preferred.
  • Strong knowledge base on the policies and environmental regulation issues of Central Africa that affect sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation is preferred.
  • Experience building good working relationships with local and international partners, including government authorities, NGOs, technical partners, and bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors is highly desirable. Must be a team player with very strong diplomatic skills.
  • Demonstrated capacity to lead and manage large aid agency-funded projects. USAID project management experience highly desirable.
  • Program management skills must include i) program planning, ii) technical direction and oversight and iii) program administration and financial management.
  • Position requires excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and institution strengthening and training skills.
  • Fluency in written and verbal English and French is needed. If candidates are not fluent in French, exceptions will be made for those willing to invest the time in learning the language.

 Please Note:

  • This position is currently funded until November 2018, with the possibility of extension pending additional funding
  • We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible

To Apply:

  • Please visit our careers page and submit an online application
  • Submit cover letter and resume to http://worldwildlife.org/about/careers,  job # 17011  
  • Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and veteran or disability status.