DRC: Deputy Head of Programmes, Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Oct 3, 2021 | Wildlife Conservation Society
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The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking a dynamic, adaptable, creative and experienced Deputy Head of Programmes (D-HOP) to provide technical, administrative and program implementation support to the OWR Head of Programmes for a large and complex protected area. A significant component will be on providing program support to the USAID funded “Building effective management and sustainable financing of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve through a Public-Private Partnership” (USAID EPP Program). The USAID EPP Program provides core support to the work of WCS in the management of the OWR. The program spans four targeted outcomes:

1. Improved security and reduced criminality;
2. Improved management effectiveness through developed capacity and operationalization of the reserve’s management agreement;
3. Improved well-being of rights-holding people – through a multi-pronged approach including: well managed access to and use of natural resources, strengthened institutions and institutional capacity, efficient and effective partnerships, social protection and development that functions within an environmentally and socially sound framework; and
4. Sustainable financing of the management, operation and development of the reserve achieved through a suite of innovative and traditional financing mechanisms and tools. In addition to the USAID EPP program, the successful candidate will provide programmatic support as needed, including timely reporting and grant administration and project onboarding, across all other areas of OWR project implementation.

S/he will report directly to the Head of Programmes (who also serves as the USAID EPP Chief of Party) and s/he will provide regular updates to the OWR Management Unit – that is chaired by the Reserve’s Director and that is the executive body in charge of all day-to-day management activities and personnel in the OWR. Candidates will need to demonstrate that they have the necessary experience and skills to work within a challenging, dynamic and complex program in a remote location. They will need to demonstrate that they are able to grasp the complexities of situations as they arise and adapt work accordingly. They will have to work within a culturally diverse and challenging work environment. Finally, they will have demonstrated experience in at least one of the four areas that are articulated as targeted outcomes of the USAID EPP Program. The D-HOP, is based full time on-site at the OWR headquarters in Epulu, Ituri Province.

Core Responsibilities:

1. USAID project support Work with the Chief of Party to:

• Coordinate with WCS and OWR field teams to ensure that project objectives are achieved to a high standard and on schedule.
• Determine annual priorities, develop work plans, prepare annual reports and interim progress reports, and ensure activities respond to changing conditions and operating environments.
• Ensure that internal WCS stakeholders are kept regularly up to date on project activities, deliverables and events. 4. Ensure documents are submitted to USAID on time and with sufficient review
• As needed, represent WCS at project external stakeholder meetings
• Ensure appropriate filing processes are in place to identify and archive relevant project documentation, donor communications, and evidence of program implementation (MoV, clearing house etc.).
• Understand and manage to expected results, including monitoring of ongoing activities as part of a collaborating, learning, and adapting approach. Responsibilities:

2. Overall programmatic support: Work with the Head of Programmes to:

• Assist with the process of coordination and oversight among partners working across various fields and sectors within the reserve.
• Provide implementation oversight and onboarding assistance for projects to manage and operate the OWR.
• Provide oversight to consultants (and their outputs and outcomes) who are contracted to carry out work within the context of WCS’s work in OWR.
• Provide training and mentoring to the OWR team – especially in the areas of results-based management, workplanning and budgeting, report writing, learning and adaptation, and communications.
• Co-facilitate regular Pause and Reflect sessions to capture learning, introduce improvements and adaptations, and achieve meaningful results.
• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation and Learning (MEAL) team to monitor and evaluate of ongoing activities as part of a collaborating, learning, and adapting approach.
• Work closely with the teams to develop annual workplans and budgets aligned with annual and life of project targets.
• Work to ensure that all donor and government reports (in addition to USAID) and grant compliance documents are produced to a high standard and submitted in a timely fashion
• Assist with concept development and proposal preparation as needed
• Ensure that internal WCS stakeholders are kept regularly up to date on project activities, deliverables and events. 18. Ensure appropriate filing processes are in place to identify and archive relevant project documentation, donor communications
• Assist with the process of recruiting staff for the Reserve – including the development of Terms of Reference, and the screening, interviewing and selection of applicants.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships, under the guidance of the Reserve Director and the HOP, with government officials, project partners, sector leaders, donors/collaborators, and others as appropriate.
• Represent WCS to external donors and stakeholders as appropriate

Qualification Requirements

WCS is looking for a candidate who has:

• Either an advanced degree (Masters) in the fields of natural resource management, conservation, development, social sciences or similar, or a first degree (Bachelor’s) with demonstrated and appropriate experience.
• Demonstrated experience (>5 years) within one of the four areas targeted by the USAID EPP Program (improving security and combatting criminality; protected area management and capacity development; development and well-being of rights-holding people; sustainable financing and investment in protected areas)
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID project management including USAID rules and reporting requirements 
• Experience working in the project/programme cycles of design, implementation, M&E, reporting, workplanning and budgeting
• Experience working, coordinating and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders – such as local NGOs, government officials, donor representatives and the private sector.
• Demonstrated openness and sensitivity to the socio-cultural environment of OWR
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, working capabilities in French; knowledge of Swahili an advantage
• Ability to live and operate in remote areas under challenging conditions
• Energetic, flexible, adaptable, creative and ambitious, with a drive to get things done

Application process

In order to apply for this position and if you meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, you should apply by emailing a detailed application/cover letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references to: AfricaApplications@wcs.org. When submitting your CV and cover letter please send as separate attachments in your email and title in the following format:  YourLastName_CV and YourLastName_coverletter. Please include “OWR DHOP” in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you have any queries related to this position please contact: AfricaApplications@wcs.org

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce: qualified women, people from all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

EOE AA M/F/SO/Vets/Disabled

Application Deadline: Midnight, 08 October 2021