Program Design Officer (GM065)

My client is currently seeking a qualified and experienced Program Design Officer to generate funding from public sector and government sources for landscape-level conservation and livelihoods programs in area of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin, and future sites in the West Africa Region. This position will work closely with regional program teams, cross-site technical program staff, finance staff, and fellow program design team members, and will report directly to the Vice President for Program Design. The person hired will have excellent written and oral communication skills, appropriate technical and fundraising experience, and a sound understanding of contemporary conservation and development issues in Africa.

Responsibilities

The Officer will lead efforts to build positive and lasting relationships with bilateral and multi-lateral development funding agencies active in Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin. Specific duties include:

• Relationship management with donors
• Supporting the field team in designing effective conservation plans to market to donor agencies
• Preparing high quality funding proposals, including research, helping field teams form effective technical partnerships, drafting and finalizing text, and award negotiation processes, with a goal of raising US$ 750,000/year of public restricted funds
• Providing support to landscape teams in effectively managing grants by tracking budgets and progress in accomplishing work plans
• Managing and drafting technical reports for donor agencies
• Providing analytical support to landscape program by documenting lessons learned and success stories
• Contributing to annual budgeting and conservation planning processes
• Representing the organisation in international and local fora, as requested.

Qualifications

• Reputable Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in relevant field (e.g. economics, business, conservation, natural resource management, rural development).
• Substantial experience working at a responsible level, including direct experience in conservation and development in Africa.
• Proven track record in grant writing and raising public funding, including marketing and presenting project ideas to donors.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including in multi-cultural contexts.
• Ability to conceptualize and write project documents (including budgets, logical frameworks, and work plans) and reports.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Internet Explorer).
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently, including with colleagues remotely located.
• Ability to multi-task and meet strict deadlines.
• Fluency in written and spoken French AND proficiency or fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in Djerma or Gourmantché also an advantage.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, including to remote areas.

A competitive salary (based on knowledge, skills, experience and ability) and relocation package is offered for this position

To apply, please send your 2-3 page CV, cover letter and a sample of original written work (in French) in Word format to graham@caenviro.co.za quoting the reference number GM065.

Unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted.