Project Manager, 'LIFE Carpathians Connect' FFI Eurasia Programme

Project Manager, ‘LIFE Carpathians Connect’, Eurasia
Fauna & Flora International

Salary: Negotiable, dependent on skills and experience
Start Date: As soon as possible after 4 September 2013
End Date: 31 August 2018
Location: South-western Transylvania, Romania, in the city of Deva or as close to the project site as possible

Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest-established international conservation organisation.  Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it.  We aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation.  Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.

Many of Eurasia’s landscapes are recognised worldwide for their beauty and wilderness value, yet the importance of their biodiversity is frequently overlooked. The Eurasian steppe, the beech forests of the Carpathians, the Portuguese Montado and the fruit and nut forests and mountain ranges ofCentral Asiaare just some of the stunning and biodiversity rich ecosystems in the region. They contain unique and rare wildlife such as the saiga antelope, the Iberian lynx, the elusive snow leopard and ancient species of apple and walnut.

FFI is one of only a few international organisations working in the Eurasia region and is helping to raise awareness of the need for action amongst other international conservation and development charities. Many of our projects have laid the foundation and created the necessary infrastructure for other organisations to move in and help tackle the challenges of the region. We aim to build the capacity of local partners to conserve priority species and habitats. Our focus is in three core areas: Central Asia, theCaucasus, and Central-Eastern Europe and the Balkans. We also undertake ‘emergency’ interventions in countries outside of these core regions. We are working with our partners to implement an exciting range of initiatives focused on ecosystems, habitats and species conservation.  Activities include amongst others, species and landscape scale conservation, biodiversity planning, capacity building for conservation, engaging with extractive industry, alternative livelihood development and community outreach.

With five-year funding secured from the European Union’s LIFE+ programme under the project ‘LIFE Carpathians Connect’ and others, FFI will deliver a programme of work that will ensure the long-term sustainable management of the Zarand Landscape Corridor, the last remaining habitat corridor for wolf, bear and lynx needing to move between the Western and Southern Carpathian Mountains. The specific project objectives are to:

• Increase functional connectivity [of the corridor] through the securing and restoration of critical habitat and landscape features at connectivity pinch points and the promotion of sympathetic land management in the wider area.
• Address the direct threats, namely human-wildlife conflict and poaching, to bears and wolves and associated prey species within the corridor, and build local knowledge to facilitate the co-existence of humans and large carnivores.
• Promote the integrated conservation of the landscape through: the development of the information base; building the capacity of responsible agencies; developing Regional Species Action Plans and harmonised forestry and hunting strategies for the bear and wolf, their habitats and prey, in the corridor.
• Enhance the awareness and support of the local population and other stakeholders for the conservation of the bear and wolf and the Natura 2000 sites in the corridor.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to ensure the effective, efficient and timely delivery of the ‘LIFE Connect Carpathians’ and associated projects.  Responsible for project implementation, you will have a Masters’ degree or equivalent level qualification in a conservation or relevant field, excellent leadership skills and proven experience in project management, project administration and financial management.  You will also have a solid technical background and understanding of a range of species, habitat and landscape conservation issues.

Zarand is not only ecologically significant, it is also a beautiful and culturally rich landscape and a microcosm of traditional Romanian life. Zarand’s valleys have been used for centuries for small scale agriculture contributing to a distinctly rich Romanian culture, perhaps best demonstrated by its traditional timber churches and water mills.  As such, you will be required to ensure project alignment and cohesion with a parallel programme of work, focusing on the provision of support to local communities to retain their culture and to develop small scale businesses that are sympathetic to the natural and cultural values of the area.  Building local capacity to address the conservation of the corridor and engaging proactively with people to improve local culture and economy are central to our strategy: local support is critical to this work and local people stand to gain the most from the area’s protection.  Your past experience working with local partners, authorities and communities in varied cultural contexts will ensure that you can build excellent working relationships with programme partners from the outset to ensure effective delivery.

An excellent communicator, you will enjoy working in a dynamic environment where the ability to respond swiftly to changing organisational and team needs is paramount.  In return, the role offers the opportunity to work within a ground-breaking and entrepreneurial organisation at the forefront of conservation.

For further details and to apply please visit: http://www.fauna-flora.org/about/jobs/

The closing date for applications is Monday 26 August 2013.  No agencies please.

FFI values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity