Programme Manager, Dry Land, Livelihoods and Gender

Jul 3, 2019 | International Union for Conservation of Nature
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This position is a senior position at ROWA and it plays a crucial role in the management and direction of the regional thematic programme strategy and projects implementation generally associated with Entry Point One of IUCN’s Programme Strategy and Regional Work Plan. The position manages relationships and projects that often entail a high level of reputational risk for IUCN ROWA. The position has several full and part-time direct reports, significant budget oversight, and serves on the ROWA programme senior management team.

The Programme Manager will work with the Regional Programme coordinator, other Programme Managers and Project Managers/Coordinators to develop effective strategy resources, and manage thematic activities in West Asia and to link them with relevant activities of other IUCN programmes, members, commissions and partners.

JOB DESCRIPTION

With guidance of ROWA Regional Programme Coordinator, lead the development and monitoring of Dryland, Livelihood and Gender Programme intersessional and annual work plans that relate to the thematic programme. This includes:

  • Develop thematic programme, seek funding, and attract new donors.
  • Overall management and coordination of all activities of the Dryland, Livelihood and Gender programme, including designing and delivering an expanded technical programme at the regional level that is in line with IUCN intersessional plan.
  • Ensure Knowledge sharing and regional engagement, particularly via establishing and maintain close links with other thematic programmes, global programmes, other IUCN regional programmes, members and commissions.
  • Develop and monitor the annual budget for the thematic programme.
  • Ensure regular input of relevant programme achievements, outcomes and lessons learned to the preparation of annual progress reports and general briefings.
  • Work in proactive support of the One Programme concept


SPECIFIC TASKS

1. Programme Development

  • Support RPC in the implementation of IUCN Programme Strategy and ROWA Work Plan.
  • Lead the development of a strategic plan for the Dryland, Livelihood and Gender Programme, as well as develop new thematic areas to strengthen the programme.
  • Overseeing and participating in the design, mobilization of resources, and implementation of new projects and activities at both the regional and country levels
  • Proactively fund-raise to ensuring the financial sustainability of the Regional Dryland, livelihood and Gender Programme.
  • Developing concept papers and proposals.
  • Networking for the submission of proposals (donors, ministries and other relevant funding sources).
  • Promote IUCN members and commissions participation in Dryland, Livelihood and Gender programme work.
  • Contribute to development of the global drylands (and gender?) program strategies and alignment with the ROWA program priorities

2. Programme Management

  • Developing and administering the strategies, work plans, budgets, internal agreements, contracts, financial resources, and project development pipeline of the regional Dryland, Livelihood and Gender programme.
  • Ensuring the timely delivery of physical and financial progress reports and other assessment reports.
  • Networking among IUCN programmes and members and other organizations on Dryland, Livelihood and Gender programme matters.
  • Ensure all elements of assigned programme management responsibilities adhere to IUCN operational and audit procedures, including PAAS, procurement policy, and effective and full recovery of staff time.
  • In close collaboration with RPC ensure all elements of assigned programme management in such a way to minimize reputational and finance risk exposure


3. Technical Input

  • Provide technical advice on Dryland, Livelihood and Gender policy and practice, to ongoing programmes and projects in the region as required.
  • Provide training and hands-on support for field work, including stakeholder engagement and participatory planning and monitoring, according to project needs.
  • Support and contribute to the flow of new knowledge and learning within the IUCN ROWA programme component team
  • Contribute to joint planning processes that seek to optimally align IUCN’s intersessional results in terms of focus, scope, desired outcomes and delivery mechanisms.
  • Build capacity of staff within the Dryland, Livelihood and Gender programme and facilitate capacity development on those issues in the region.
  • Contribute to the global learning initiatives of global thematic programs (e.g. drylands and rangelands restoration).

4. Project Portfolio Management

  • Manage the implementation of on-going projects.
  • Update the projects portal with A, B and C lists regularly with accurate data and budgeting.
  • Ensure that the output of the projects is aligned with IUCN strategy.
  • Strengthen the partnership spirit within the project stakeholders in different governmental and non-governmental bodies.
  • Assist in the establishment and management of the national, governorate and local committees of the project.
  • Ensure that each stakeholder fulfill their responsibilities in the field according to the work plans.
  • Develop a strategy for identifying and building the capacity of Stakeholders to address project objectives
  • Field-based activities are efficiently and effectively implemented in accordance with agreed project plans, with the full participation of all project stakeholders.
  • All contractual obligations to the donors are met
  • The project is linked and contributing fully to the region’s work
  • Develop guidelines and internalize them among staff and stakeholders to test the feasibility of identified solutions and to demonstrate their implementation.
  • Design and oversee the implementation of the pilot projects activities in the field.
  • Accordingly, prepare the pilot projects work plans, budgets and technical progress reports and present.
  • Supervise the work of the subcontractor; ensuring deliverables are received on time.
  • Identify new opportunities: projects, partners, approaches, and donors.
  • Contribute to the identification and securing of potential additional funding sources for undertaking related activities that support the projects, with an emphasis on close and effective collaboration with other thematic programmes, as well as IUCN’s members & commissions.

5. Representation, Communications and Policy Influencing:

  • Support the RPC in ensuring that IUCN is represented in internal meeting and also in relevant regional and international fora on Dryland, Livelihood and Gender.
  • Develop and maintain appropriate collaboration and partnerships with relevant organizations on Dryland, Livelihood and Gender -related issues of mutual interest.
  • Participate and contribute to the national and regional policy processes, as well as engage members and commissions in these processes.
  • Keep internal and external stakeholders, especially Members and Commissions, informed of relevant policy developments.
  • Be a focal point for one of IUCN commission’s.
  • Represent issues of Drylands, Livelihoods and Gender in regional and global fora, including the UNCCD.

6. Staff and consultant management

  • Provide technical and management supervision for 2-3 line-managed staff, as well as other team members/collaborators where appropriate for projects, including mentoring, team building, monitoring and problem-solving.
  • Manage external consultants, including definition of TORs and contracts. This is anticipated to be around 10-20 contracts per year.
  • Assist relevant staff in developing and maintaining project implementation plans.
  • Provide advice on strategy, approach, and overcoming obstacles in project implementation and new partnership opportunities.
  • Where applicable, ensure high quality project reports and outputs.

7. Other

  • Performing any other duties as requested by the line manager

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in a relatively small organization such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular job description. Where any task becomes a regular part of an employee's responsibilities, the job description will be changed in consultation with the employee and the Human Resources Management Group.

REQUIREMENTS

  • An international development expert, who possess minimum Master’s degree in environmental management or related field.
  • At least 8 years of experience in environmental management projects.
  • Fluency in both English and Arabic.
  • Strong Project management skills including planning, implementation, budgeting, and monitoring within a non-profit environment.
  • Strong knowledge of environmental issues and their linkage with livelihoods issues.
  • Capacity for coordinating with different national governmental and governmental institutions as well as with donors.
  • Strong report writing skills.
  • Good knowledge of IUCN, its mission and working requirements, previous experience preferred.
  • He/she should have strong professional experience in Project design and proposals preparation.
  • Sound knowledge of local community-based organizations and NGOs their institutional and technical issues.