WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations acting locally through a network of over 90 offices in over 40 countries around the world. On-the-ground conservation projects managed by these offices are active in more than 100 countries.
WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
• conserving the world’s biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption
I. Mission of the Initiative:
The vision for the GREEN HEART OF AFRICA (GHOA) NI is that, by 2020, the forest, freshwater landscapes and species resources in the GHOA are managed sustainably so that biodiversity is conserved, ecosystem functions and services are maintained, global climate is stabilized, and sustainable development and economic growth improves the livelihoods of the people of central Africa.
In order to achieve this vision, WWF will work with Governments and other important partners in the region to implement the following priority goals:
Goal 1: Biodiversity conservation in specified landscapes
Goal 2: Significant reduction in deforestation
Goal 3: Sustainable and responsible Forest, mining and associated infrastructure projects.
In order to achieve these goals we have outlined 4 transformational strategies which revolve around:
• Securing sustainable and innovative financing,
• Engaging local people as active managers of resources
• Working with the private sector to implement to secure sustainable management
• Securing the highest political commitment for conservation and sustainable management
The NI leader will provide dynamic leadership to the WWF network in the development and implementation of this ambitious and high profile conservation initiative which will be implemented in the Congo Basin region over the next 10-15 years.
II. Major Functions:
• Leads the WWF network in this initiative to implement the goals of the NI;
• Provides effective leadership to the core team and orchestrates the human, technical and financial resources throughout the network and beyond to implement the initiative;
• Coordinates with and provides support to the programme directors/managers to ensure that consistent and integrated approaches are developed for the NI objectives;
• Liaises with Programme Offices, National Organisations and Conservation Committee stakeholders and meets their expectations for delivery;
• Serves as a Deputy to the Representative as and when required.
III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
• Leads the development and implementation of the GHOA NI as an integrated part of CARPO;
• Ensures effective monitoring of the implementation of the GHOA NI Strategic Plan to ensure delivery and adaptive management, is accountable for the compilation and timely submission of reports (as per WWF standards and guidelines) and evaluations and audits (as required), and facilitates the exchanging of lessons learned;
• Leads, develops, and manages the GHOA NI core team staff and other technical staff as designated, and coordinates activities with related teams and individuals within WWF CARPO and elsewhere in the WWF Network, to achieve the objectives within the agreed time frame as defined in the NI Strategic Plan;
• Manages and oversees the core budget of the GHOA NI ensuring the proper, wise, and strategic use of funds with agreed budgets and overseeing the preparation of financial reports for the Network and donors in accordance with WWF standards and guidelines;
• Prepares regular reports on progress towards objectives for the CARPO SMT, the GHOA NI SET and Shareholder Group, the Conservation Committee, and as input to the WWF CARPO Annual report;
• Leads the CARPO conservation committee and provides guidance to Country Directors on other GFP and national priorities;
• Ensures synergy of regional and international initiatives linked to the GHOA;
• Gives strategic guidance for international policy formulation, lobbying and negotiation on NI issues, internally as well as externally in various international policy fora;
• Ensures the high-profile communication of key GHOA issues for internal and external audiences, both within the region and outside and acts as a spokesperson in international media, as necessary and appropriate;
• Identifies internal and external fundraising opportunities in support of the GHOA Network Initiative, facilitates Network engagement with donors, and takes full ownership of major donor fundraising initiatives in support of the goals defined in coordination with relevant WWF colleagues;
• Establishes close cooperation with the stakeholders and institutions crucial to the success of the GHOA NI especially decision-makers within governments, inter-government agencies, private sector, and develops and/or nurtures institutional relationships and partnerships where appropriate;
• Works with WWF programme communicators to develop campaign approaches as necessary, and communication outreach to support the NI’s objectives;
• Ensures close and regular coordination with, and acts as Secretary to, the Shareholders Executive Team (SET);
• Acts as a Deputy to the Representative as and when required;
• Performs other duties as requested by the CARPO Representative or the Chair of the SET.
IV. Profile:
Required Qualifications
• An advanced degree or equivalent work experience in environmental, and/or relevant social, natural or political sciences;
• Technical proficiency in the field of conservation, natural-resource management or international development;
• 8-10 years professional international experience (with at least 5 years in the Africa region) in a senior leadership role developing and leading the implementation of large, multi-disciplinary programmes or organisations;
• Demonstrated success in managing multi-disciplinary teams and multiple donor budgets.
Required Skills
• Excellent technical, organizational, interpersonal and teambuilding skills ;
• Proven experience in effectively leading large complex programmes and associated budgets, with strong programme management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to deal with multiple teams located in multiple locations (virtual teams);
• Experience in raising and mobilising funding;
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in French and English;
• Excellent negotiation, diplomacy and lobbying skills.
Behavioural competencies
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
• Demonstrates potential in the following critical competencies:
- Establishing strategic direction
. Establishing and committing to a long-range course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after analysing factual information and assumptions; taking into consideration resources, constraints and organisational values
- Change Leadership
. Continuously seeking (or encouraging others to seek) opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing organisational problems and opportunities
- Selling the Vision
. Passionately selling an organisational strategy; creating a clear view of the future state by helping others understand and feel how things will be different when the future vision is achieved
- Drive for Results
. Setting high goals for personal and group accomplishment; using measurement methods to monitor progress towards goal attainment; tenaciously working to meet or exceed those goals while deriving satisfaction from the process of goal achievement and continuous improvement
- Managing Global Teams
. Facilitating team-building process in a socially and culturally diverse environment by promoting openness, flexibility, respect in order to effectively enable each team member to be performant
- Decision-making
. Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences
V. Working Relationships:
Internal - Manages the NI core secretariat staff and other technical staff as designated, interacts with other CARPO programe staff, and works closely with the dedicated Manager in the NI Support Unit (WWF International) and the Chair of the GHOA NI Shareholders’ Group and its Executive Committee (SET). Co-ordinates closely with other relevant NI Leaders and programmes, and liaises with those offices and staff around the network providing key technical, policy, business planning and marketing support to the GHOA NI.
External - Works closely with implementing and donor partners (bilateral and multilateral), governmental and non-governmental representatives, and builds collaboration with other stakeholders including the private sector.
To apply for the post, please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post along with your CV/resume (no photos) in English in strict confidence BY EMAIL ONLY to Isabel Leal at rrhh@darylupsall.com
Applications sent by other means will not be considered.
Please ensure that they are sent as Word documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV”. Please put “WWF GHOA” in the email subject line and state how you came across about the job.
Deadline for applications: 12 November 2010, 6pm Central European Time
