Liberia: Project Manager for Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT)

Nov 26, 2018 | Conservation International
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Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet. Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, Conservation International empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity.  CI’s strategy is to serve as a trusted advisor to decision makers at all levels to help societies establish healthy, sustainable economies that secure nature’s ability to provide enduring human well-being.

CI is a global organization that has been active in Liberia for nearly 15 years working closely with communities, private sector, government and civil society leaders to support conservation and sustainable development.  With enormous wealth of natural resources, Liberia is at a vital point in its development history and has an opportunity to encourage investors and promote development initiatives that both support economic growth and development while maintaining Liberia’s critical natural capital for future generations. Proper stewardship of Liberia’s resources may prove to be the key to the future well-being of Liberian people.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Conservation international and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia have received funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in support of the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project “Strengthening the Capacity of Institutions in Liberia to comply with the Transparency Requirements of the Paris Agreement” in Liberia. The project will be executed through the Environmental Protection Agency and Conservation International Liberia.

The main objective of this project is to support institutions in Liberia to build and strengthen Liberia’s national capacity to implement the transparency elements of the Paris Climate Agreement. The main components of the project are: (1) Strengthen the capacity of national institutions to track NDC implementation and sustain transparency efforts over time; (2) Provide direct technical support to harmonize land use, agriculture, energy, transport and waste sectors data collection and reporting through training and assistance; (3) Integrated Platform for Data Sharing and Policy Making.

Conservation International Liberia is seeking a highly motivated individual to manage its CBIT project. The Project Manager will be expected to oversee the day-to-day management and decision-making including implementation and monitoring of the CBIT project.  S/he will manage a diverse set of activities and works to ensure that project outcomes and objectives are achieved on time, and to the highest standards in terms of quality, effectiveness, impact and relevance in furtherance of Conservation International’s (CI’s) human development and conservation priorities. The project manager will be responsible for the overall management of project activities including acting as secretary of the Project Steering Committee.

Duties will include; developing and implementing project strategies, project management, capacity building, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement at the project level. The Project Manager will be expected to ensure compliance with CI policies, project and funding agreements, and other local requirements.

The Project Manger works across CI and collaboratively with the EPA to build strong relationships to advance CBIT project initiatives with community, partners and external stakeholders who are critical to program success in Liberia.

The Project Manager plays a role in managing donor relationships together with other CI staff.

Deadline for the submission of application:  December 5, 2018

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for direct supervision, leadership and management of the project, including acting as secretary of the Project Steering Committee.
  • Provide technical and managerial leadership on all activities of the project. This includes development of daily, weekly, quarterly operation work plans and budgets; coordination and ensuring efficient and effective implementation of project activities.
  • Responsible for direct supervision, leadership and management of the established CBIT hubs
  • Provide weekly work plan and weekly performance as well as quarterly report and participate in weekly and quarterly meetings to be organized or led by the CI to discuss work progress.
  • Coordinate and manage the accounting, reporting and general financial administration of the project to meet the requirements of Conservation International and donor.
  • Act as the secretary for the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Project Implementation Committee (PIC)
  • Work with and manage outputs from the different consultants that will be engaged on the project.
  • Lead the organization of all workshops under the project and dissemination of workshop outcomes to all stakeholders.
  • Prepare the quarterly progress reports and annual project progress report and ensure its submitted to the donor within the agreed time frame.
  • Represent the project to the different forum as required.
  • Ensure the smooth running of the project through monitoring and communication with the PSC, PIC, working and consultative groups, contractors, consultants, stakeholders and other engaged agencies, institutions, and individuals.
  • Actively coordinate the flow of inputs, procurement, outputs, and work streams to ensure the program runs smoothly and delivers the specified outputs and overall objectives and results.
  • Liaise with relevant partner institutions in Liberia to facilitate progress with country data collections and general awareness raising.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Based in Monrovia, Liberia.
  • Occasional travel of about 10% locally and 5% internationally is required.
  • Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working condition.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, or Natural Resource Management with sound knowledge in climate change, biodiversity and land degradation and sustainable forest management. Master’s degree in the above fields preferred.
  • Postgraduate training (Diploma or Certificate) in project planning and management, leadership and management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, Greenhouse gas (GHG) estimation and reporting, MRV system.
  • A minimum of five years of experience in the fields of environmental project implementation, climate change impacts and adaptation, climate change international and national reporting and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • 4-6 years project management experience, preferably in conservation, NGO, advocacy or related not-for-profit arena at Project Manager level
  • Proven track record of accomplishment in project planning and management.
  • Proficiency in report preparation, work planning, results monitoring and evaluation.
  • Experience in conducting training workshops or teaching adults and civil servants.
  • Excellent report writing skills in English, as evidenced by scientific publications or technical reports.
  • Proven ability to multi-task and meet priorities, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision. 
  • Ability to speak the local languages spoken in Liberia will be an added advantage.
  • Experience in land use planning processes.
  • Experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation processes.

Preferred:

  • Knowledge and understanding of issues in Liberia’s Greenhouse Gas sector.
  • Experience working with the Government of Liberia.
  • Experience in participatory rural appraisal techniques, Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes and a Rights Based Approach.
  • Experience of engaging in communities of practice.
  • Experience in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation processes.
  • Proven ability to deliver capacity building and on the job training to staff and partners.
  • Experience in conducting capacity building activities for communities and for partners.