Youth Conservation Corps Program Coordinator

YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

USFS HONDURAS PROGRAM

The US Forest Service, International Programs (USFS/IP) and Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI) seek a consultant to support the USFS Honduras Program. The consultant will assist the USFS/IP Honduras Program Coordinator in the implementation of USFS activities related to programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

BACKGROUND: 

USFS/IP has a long history of providing support and technical exchange between forest experts of the Honduran forest authority, Instituto Nacional de Conservación y Desarrollo Forestal Areas Protegidas y Vida Silvestre (ICF) and the USFS. The current activities build on the foundation of existing relationships between these experts and past technical exchanges. This work will support the implementation of USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy and work to reinforce and improve forestry management at institutional, academic, and community levels. 

OBJECTIVE:

In collaboration with the USFS Honduras Program Coordinator and the USFS Central America Program Manager, the consultant will play a lead role in managing a Honduran youth conservation corps (YCC) program. The YCC will provide youth an opportunity to serve their country in a meaningful way, while also developing new skills in the environment sector and potentially stimulating growth opportunities for careers in the environment. These activities will be carried out jointly with the support of USFS detailers, a youth volunteer group, and local, technical experts.

The consultant will provide support and coordinate as needed with the USAID Mission in Honduras, representatives from the Government of Honduras (GOH), including but not limited to, ICF and Secretaria de Energía Recursos Naturales Ambiente y Minas (MiAmbiente), and other local non-governmental organizations.

DUTIES:

The Consultant will be responsible for managing the YCC program in Honduras.  Specific tasks of the consultant may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide reporting and program implementation information on all activities to USFS/IP and other partners, as needed;
• Participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a YCC program;
• Supervise a cadre of youth volunteers, local consultants and short-term personnel, as needed, to implement training and other programs;
• Provide technical and logistical support to a youth volunteer group, short-term USFS detailers on technical assistance missions, this includes making arrangements for lodging and local transportation as well as setting and finalizing agendas; and,
• Submit financial records and technical reports to the USFS International Programs Central America Program Manager as required.

Technical / Programmatic Liaison

The consultant will support the implementation of the following activities:

• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant local and regional stakeholders, communicating USFS technical areas of expertise and working with them to identify appropriate areas of intervention;
• Coordinate and collaborate with other partners on the ground including Fundacion Vida, GreenWood/MaderaVerde, USAID, and other international donors and organizations to ensure synergies and maximize resource leverage;
• Where relevant, present the USFS program of work to USAID, US Embassies, Honduran government agencies and others;
• Assist the USFS Honduras Program Coordinator and the USFS Central America Program Manager in preparing and submitting necessary activity reports requested by USAID and USFS International Programs;
• Evaluate and monitor implementation and effectiveness of activities and provide suggestions and feedback for improvement; and, 
• Assist the Honduras Program Coordinator and the Central America Program Manager with the development of proposed new activities in Honduras.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

The consultant should have the following skills: 

• 5+ years of Experience managing and supervising youth volunteers;
• Knowledge in environmental science, biodiversity conservation or management of natural resources, preferably with additional preparation in project development and management
• Broad knowledge of the organizations and institutions in Honduras related to environment, natural resources and sustainable development;
• 7+ years of experience working in the natural resources management field;
• Ability to work collaboratively with USFS, USAID, ICF, MiAmbiente, and other local non-governmental organizations to provide technical and logistical support;
• Experience with administrative and project management;
• Professional written and spoken proficiency in Spanish and English required;
• Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders; strong interpersonal skills; and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Experience with program management, monitoring and evaluation, and financial and programmatic reporting.

START DATE: June/July 2016. Position will be for 1 year with the possibility to renew based on performance and availability of funding.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply please send a resume (2 pages max) and cover letter (1 page) to IPJobs@meticorp.com, no later than April 18, 2016. Include “HONDURAS YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM COORDINATOR” in the subject of your email. Qualified applicants will be contacted to continue with the application and interview process. Please note that the successful applicant will be hired through a contractor. Salary will be commensurate with experience.