Project Administrator/Specialist, Bird Ecotourism

The National Audubon Society is building and strengthening its hemispheric reach in the Americas, both in Latin America and the Caribbean. The International Alliances Program’s (IAP) new strategic plan provides the roadmap for strengthening our existing work and expanding the Program to achieve on-the-ground conservation, strengthened in-country partners, and improved conservation policies throughout the region. As part of this strategy, Audubon is working with the Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to carry out a regional ecotourism project, Strengthening Bird-Based Tourism as a Conservation and Sustainable Development Tool (ATN/ME-14117-RG). The project’s objectives are to increase the market for bird-based tourism initially in Paraguay, Belize, Guatemala and the Bahamas by improving capacity and the delivery of conservation in the country, support by governments and the private sector, marketing of this tourism sector, and promotion of its value for local economies.

The Project Administrator/Specialist will be responsible for managing the administrative and logistical aspects of the project including contract writing, disbursements, managing agreements with partners, project monitoring, reporting, coordinating logistics for major meetings, events and activities, and managing communications within the project. S/he will help guarantee efficient and smooth functioning of the administrative aspects of the project across the four countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Project Administrator/Specialist will also coordinate and communicate closely with in-country partners, Audubon experts and consultants to help deliver results and products in an efficient and cost effective manner. This individual will be the principal administrative liaison with implementers, Audubon and FOMIN staff in order to advance the work, report on results and manage all day-to-day operational and financial aspects of the project.

This is a three-year, grant-funded position with a potential for extension and will ideally be based in Washington, DC or in one of the project countries in Latin America – Belize, Guatemala, Paraguay, or The Bahamas.  Candidates must be citizens (or inter-alia) of a member country of the Inter-American Development Bank and will have until January 6, 2014 to apply for this opportunity.

Essential Functions:

    Support the project leads to ensure effective execution of project activities carried out at a regional level and through partners in each country, guaranteeing high-quality project administration, efficient financial management, a high level of coordination and communication and reporting of results so that internal and external audiences are well informed.

    Develop and manage all contracts, agreements and carry out the coordination of consultants, technical staff and partners in order to achieve timely, high quality results.

    Help monitor, analyze and report on project progress – results and products – by gathering information, writing reports and supporting communications with FOMIN.

    In coordination with members of the Audubon Finance Department, ensure all payments are made in a timely fashion while keeping in compliance with all FOMIN and Audubon rules and regulations associated with the project.

    Effectively coordinate and communicate with all implementers in the project, FOMIN staff and others in order to achieve a high level of collaboration that facilitates project implementation.

    Coordinate all key logistics – agendas, invitations, travel and communications – with key consultants, partners and Audubon staff to guarantee orderly, efficient and successful events, meetings and other activities as needed.

Qualifications and Experience:

    Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business or related field required; Master’s degree and/or project management certifications a plus.

    3-5 years’ project management experience related to conservation and/or development, that includes coordinating project activities and strategies, reporting and communications; experience with the publicly funded projects or programs strongly preferred.

    Must demonstrate individual and team-based track record of project administration and implementation and be able to take the initiative to lead in the administrative aspects of the project.

    Highly organized and efficient individual with a proven ability to manage diverse activities under pressure to ensure timely solid, high quality results; experience working with and helping coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across a decentralized institution with partners distributed across a wide geography a must.

    Fluency in Spanish and English required, as well as excellent interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), and negotiation skills.

    Entrepreneurial and creative spirit, with the ability to: resolve problems, navigate complex situations and establish and maintain cohesive, functional relationships that result in high quality products.

    Tourism and conservation/development experience in Latin America managing programs and projects, with knowledge of bird conservation strongly preferred.

    Flexible approach to work; and willingness to travel internationally (up to 25%) and interest in living and/or working within Latin America.

    Candidates must be citizens (or inter-alia) of a member country of the Inter-American Development Bank.