Uganda: Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) Coordinator

Apr 5, 2022 | World Wide Fund for Nature
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WWF is an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, WWF seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

Mission of the Programme:

The Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. It is an interconnected set of protected areas that contains more terrestrial vertebrate species and more endemic and threatened vertebrate species than any other site in Africa. The landscape’s diverse mosaic of ancient tropical forests, ice-capped mountains, active volcanoes, savannah, swamps and wetlands provide habitats for important populations of African elephant, buffalo, okapi and the largest concentration of hippo globally. It is also the only place on Earth where 20 primate species coexist, including the entirety of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. It contains three World Heritage Sites, one Ramsar Site, and one Man and Biosphere Reserve

Major Functions:

The Greater Virunga Landscape Coordinator is being sought to lead coalition building and the design and implementation of a GVL strategy. Through the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), the governments of DRC, Uganda and Rwanda have already demonstrated commitment to, and developed platforms for, the strategic, transboundary and collaborative management of the natural resources of the GVL for long term economic development in the three countries. An NGO coalition can potentially provide enhanced support to Government institutions, whilst also effectively holding them to account.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

  • In close collaboration with the WWF GVL working group (which includes representation of relevant WWF Network technical expertise), responsible for identifying potential interdisciplinary GVL coalition members and then supporting relationship building and ongoing relationship management with these organisations (forming the ‘GVL coalition’).
  • In close collaboration with the GVL coalition, drawing from the WWF GVL working group as needed, and building on best practice for multi-stakeholder processes, responsible for designing and upholding GVL coalition principles. This will include, but not limited to, ensuring that environmental and social safeguards are built into all stages of planning.
  • Responsible for facilitating GVL coalition members (WWF and non-WWF) to codevelop an overarching, transboundary GVL strategy and shared vision that is people-centred and strengthens existing mechanisms for strategic, transboundary and collaborative management. This will be high-level, but informed by a robust process, with focus on implementing coalition principles and agreeing action and implementation, including clear roles and responsibilities. This process is supported by secured consultancy support and the technical expertise of the WWF GVL working group.
  • In close collaboration with the WWF GVL working group, support WWF country offices within the GVL to review strategic plans and, as necessary, respond / adapt to the agreed GVL strategy and coalition principles, including identifying opportunities for transboundary collaboration between WWF offices. In time, the aspiration is that this responsibility will expand to supporting other GVL coalition members also.
  • Provide technical support as needed to WWF (and IGCP) implementing teams to develop and implement those work plans and annual budgets that are in alignment with the agreed GVL strategy. In time, the aspiration is that this responsibility will expand to supporting other GVL coalition members also.
  • Support GVL coalition members and associated implementing teams to develop, grow and maintain effective partnerships (beyond the GVL coalition) with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, private sector and local communities. There is a particular focus on ensuring effective and appropriate transboundary work and so working with transboundary organisations, and in particular the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), will be key relationships.
  • Effectively represent the GVL coalition in internal and external platforms, meetings, fora etc. to build increased understanding, interest and commitment to the GVL; positively influence decision making; and ensure that knowledge and learning from this programme is effectively shared.
  • In close collaboration with the WWF GVL working group and WWF network fundraising teams, responsible for securing funds to support the GVL coalition coordination function and supporting fundraising for implementation of activities in line with the agreed transboundary GVL strategy. Over time, responsible for supporting multiple GVL coalition members to jointly develop and secure resources for projects / programmes implemented by two or more coalition partners working in partnership.
  • Maintain an overview of all relevant projects, programmes and initiatives being undertaken by the GVL coalition, identify key gaps and potential niches and assist relevant coalition member staff to address these, for example through improved habitat and species connectivity, participatory land-use and governance planning, nature-based enterprises, transboundary collaboration, human wildlife conflict mitigation, policy engagement etc.

Profile:

Required Qualifications:

  • A postgraduate qualification (MSc or PhD) in a relevant discipline (e.g. natural sciences, social sciences, conservation biology, landscape ecology, economics, conservation planning or related field).
  • At least 10 years working experience in wildlife conservation and socio-economic issues in Africa, preferably in an NGO context, with a proven track record in the design and implementation of large-scale programmes, preferably transboundary and within Africa.
  • At least 10 years’ experience of working on complex programmes with multiple and diverse implementation partners and stakeholders - including high level political engagement, community livelihood initiatives - with cross-cutting themes and multiple objectives;
  • At least 10 years’ experience in programme development and management, including preparing and managing sizeable and complex budgets, technical and financial reporting, matrix working, programme monitoring and evaluation and ensuring compliance with donor requirements for implementation;
  • Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration;

How to apply?

Application letters, detailed Curriculum Vitae including names, email addresses and telephone contact details of three (3) referees, plus copies of academic qualifications (sent as one document) addressed to the People Culture and Administration Manager should be emailed to: recruitment@wwfuganda.org not later than April 08th, 2022.

Please quote the position title in the email subject line and remember to fill the Google form for the respective role as no applications will be processed without the respective Google form filled.

You can access the Google form via the following link: https://forms.gle/uUT5DrK4CfjVeCH98

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow up. If you have not been contacted six (6) weeks after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.

Qualified Female applicants are encouraged to apply.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.