Executive Director, DRC office

Will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• Ensure that all projects meet specific objectives and project teams complete contractual deliverables generally focused on conservation of chimpanzees and socio- economic development of local communities near chimpanzee habitats.
• Ensure all reporting (narrative and financial) is performed in accordance with reporting instructions and submitted in accordance with reporting schedules.  This includes reports to donors as well as the JGI USA Office. 
• Conduct regular (at least semi annually) employee performance reviews for direct reports and ensure that other supervisors under your purview are performing similar reviews for those who report to them. 
• In close coordination with the Operations Manager, ensure that all staff comply with all JGI strategies, policies, code of conduct, procedures (including security), and guidelines and to assure smooth project operations and effective staff performance.
• Ensure that employee workplans are complete, regularly updated, and respond to activities identified in grant agreements.
• On a systematic basis, assess employee skills, capacity gaps, and professional development opportunities to fill those gaps, in consultation with the VP for Africa Programs.
• On behalf of JGI and in close coordination with the CAP Program Coordinator, lead efforts to implement  the  Great  Ape Conservation Action Plan for eastern DRC.
• Represent JGI to the DRC government, USAID DRC Mission, other partners and stakeholders within the DRC as well as at international forums as requested.
• Coordinate JGI activities in the DRC with local, international, and regional partners including, but not limited, to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, Flora and Fauna International, UGADEC and local administrators.
• Manage the development and submission of Annual Operating Plans (i.e., JGI budgets) in accordance with JGI - USA guidance and schedules for all JGI activities and programs in the DRC.
• Coordinate the development and submission of information (narrative, budgets and support letter) to JGI - USA for incorporation in its response to international grant solicitations from donor agencies, foundations, the private sector and other funding entities for the development, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of amended activities and/or new initiatives in the DRC.
• Identify potential funding opportunities to support JGI projects in the DRC.
• Maintain effective communications with JGI - USA and with other JGIs world-wide, well as donors such as Zoos Victoria, Arcus, and others, as appropriate.
• Travel within the country and internationally, as necessary, to implement JGI goals and objectives in the DRC.
• Assist Dr. Jane Goodall and other Jane Goodall Institute staff when visiting the DRC.
• Participate and represent JGI in coordination meetings, security meetings and focus groups meetings.
• Monitor project accounts and controls for funding received from multiple sources of funding.
• Represent JGI and participate in annual fiscal control visits from the local DRC tax office.

• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience (with graduate degree) managing a NGO, company, unit of a company, or experience as a Chief-of-Party or (or Deputy) for an international donor and/or foundation in a developing country context;
• Work experience in Central Africa and knowledge of Central African environmental and political issues, a plus;
• Proven cross-functional management experience preferred, with ability to develop high-performing teams;
• Ability to work under deadline pressures and to manage multitask requirements;
• Aptitude for program and/or project planning, management, and evaluation;
• Substantial experience in host government relations, and knowledge of international conservation policy issues ; 
• Proven ability to develop and maintain a network of high-level contacts with government officials, multi-lateral and bilateral technical and financial partners; demonstrated tact and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with local and international organizations, the private sector and with bilateral and multilateral economic development funding agencies;
• Proven knowledge and experience with donor government agencies and management of large agency grants; and
• Demonstrated mature judgment and integrity.

• Professional level proficiency in verbal and written English and French is required (as defined by the US Department of State Foreign Language Institute).  Swahili speaking proficiency a plus; 
• Proficiency in budget formulation, development, and performance based budgeting;
• Adeptness at recognizing politically sensitive matters; 
• Highly entrepreneurial, energetic, and disciplined;
• Strong executive and resource management skills;
• Sound analytical, conceptual, and problem solving skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the capacity to influence without formal authority, and the ability to work with a multi-national team and across organizational boundaries;
• Strong organizational, leadership, team building/work, and communications skills with attention to detail; 
• Exceptional diplomatic skills and the ability to reach out to many different audiences, including members of the JGI organization, and the management and staff of multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, as well as members of civil society, and, importantly, communities; and
• Computer literacy.