Manager, Programme and Policy

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

CI recognizes that to change the global development path we must engage and influence all sectors of society.  This approach is based on our recognition that global economic development – which has the potential to improve the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people in poverty around the world – also has the potential to erode the healthy ecosystems and ecosystems services upon which sustainable development ultimately depends. This shift in CI’s focus provides CI the opportunity to influence the development paradigm at the scale needed to make significant and lasting change.  The incumbent will be instrumental in this shift in Africa, supporting follow up to the Summit for Sustainability in Africa held in Gaborone in May 2012, and which resulted in ten African countries and many public and private partner organizations signing the Gaborone Declaration.

Reporting to the Executive Secretary of the GDSA, this position is responsible for GDSA programme management and liaison with the Focal Points of the GDSA countries in all matters related to the GDSA consultation, coordination and programme implementation process. S/he will play a supporting role in developing and cultivating relationships with regional policy bodies such as SADC, UNDP, World Bank etc. The incumbent will support the GDSA implementation process through comparative policy research in fields relevant to the GDSA (e.g. Natural Capital Accounting, Green Economy, REDD, PES, CBNRM, sustainable agriculture, sustainable development planning etc.), identifying opportunities for policy improvement, facilitating exchange of experiences among countries, researching and preparing materials for the Gaborone Declaration website, and related policy briefs. S/he will actively support the fundraising efforts of the regional and country programs, especially the signatory countries of the GDSA, with focus on policy, regional events and programme activities, and south-south exchange.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• GDSA programme management and liaison with GDSA Focal Points and support GDSA interactions with the Government of Botswana and other national and regional organizations (e.g. SADC, World Bank, UNDP) on matters related to the implementation of the GDSA commitments incl. reporting
• Analyse national and sub-national legal, policy and institutional frameworks and conditions related to the mainstreaming of sustainable development, green economy, Natural Capital Accounting, and biodiversity conservation into national development, identifying gaps and proposing strategies and innovations for moving forward.
• Support regional information exchanges in GDSA focal areas through research and analyses, and preparing information for the GDSA website.
• Lead preparation and participate in national and regional meetings to support GDSA programme implementation and related training, capacity building, communication and information exchanges.
• Lead and support fundraising efforts for regional and country programme implementation for such outputs and interventions as reflected in the GDSA work plan.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Working Conditions

• Based in Gaborone at the GDSA Secretariat offices.
• Requires regular travel to GDSA countries – total travel up to 40%.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Masters or PhD in Environmental, Political or Social Sciences, with five or more years’ experience in policy analysis and programme management.
• Solid knowledge and experience in sustainable development, environment and natural resource management policies and programmes in Africa.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational, liaison, communication and writing skills.
• Experience in the use of MS Office and other common office software packages.

Preferred

• Fluency and proposal writing skills in English. Ability to read and work in other languages of GDSA signatory countries (French, Portuguese) is a distinct advantage.
• Experience in multi-sectoral programme fundraising and management of institutional partnerships is an advantage.