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Deputy Chief of Party
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BACKGROUND
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,400 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 18,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. IUCN has approximately 1,000 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices, and at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.
About the Project:
The USAID-funded Regional Coastal Biodiversity Project (RCBP) aims to address threats and conserve biodiversity in targeted coastal marine areas and associated upland ecosystems in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, to decrease the degradation of forest and mangrove landscapes and to enhance climate-smart economic opportunities that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable, while increasing ecosystem and community resilience to climatic variability. Through its efforts to increase the socioeconomic conditions and livelihoods of at-risk populations in the three Project countries, including through the promotion of biocommerce, the RCBP also seeks to contribute to a reduction of irregular migration and the improvement of the wellbeing of local communities, which is in line with the U.S. Government Strategy for addressing the Root Causes Migration in Central America.
In accordance with USAID’s Biodiversity Policy, the Project is implemented in the following coastal marine landscapes:
1) Río Paz, key biodiversity cross-border ecosystems connecting Guatemala and El Salvador.
2) Río Motagua, key biodiversity cross-border ecosystems connecting Guatemala and Honduras).
3) Coastal marine ecosystem in the Karataska Lagoon System on the northern coast of The Muskitia (Honduras).
To ensure adequate implementation and follow up at the landscape level, the Project is implemented by a consortium of local organizations, led by IUCN. The other consortium members consist of GOAL International, a regional partner, as well as the IUCN Members Agencia para el Desarrollo de la Mosquitia (MOPAWI), Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Asociación de Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre (ARCAS) and the Unidad Ecológica Salvadoreña (UNES).
The Project works towards the following specific objectives:
• Improved livelihoods through promotion of climate-smart biocommerce activities that reduce threats to biodiversity.
• Increased sustainable and climate-smart land use practices that target key opportunities to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of land use.
• Strengthened governance and regulatory framework for biodiversity conservation.
• Increased scientific capacity and education for evidence-based biodiversity conservation.
The Project is currently finalizing its sixth year of implementation and will finalize overall implementation at the end of 2024. The Project already accounts for an exit strategy to ensure the sustainability and continuation of achieved Project results beyond its finalization. This strategy determines the key factors and timeline for implementation of this final stage of the Project cycle, as well as the adequate technical and financial closure process, in coordination with IUCN and donor guidelines and procedures.
About the Project:
The USAID-funded Regional Coastal Biodiversity Project (RCBP) aims to address threats and conserve biodiversity in targeted coastal marine areas and associated upland ecosystems in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, to decrease the degradation of forest and mangrove landscapes and to enhance climate-smart economic opportunities that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable, while increasing ecosystem and community resilience to climatic variability. Through its efforts to increase the socioeconomic conditions and livelihoods of at-risk populations in the three Project countries, including through the promotion of biocommerce, the RCBP also seeks to contribute to a reduction of irregular migration and the improvement of the wellbeing of local communities, which is in line with the U.S. Government Strategy for addressing the Root Causes Migration in Central America.
In accordance with USAID’s Biodiversity Policy, the Project is implemented in the following coastal marine landscapes:
1) Río Paz, key biodiversity cross-border ecosystems connecting Guatemala and El Salvador.
2) Río Motagua, key biodiversity cross-border ecosystems connecting Guatemala and Honduras).
3) Coastal marine ecosystem in the Karataska Lagoon System on the northern coast of The Muskitia (Honduras).
To ensure adequate implementation and follow up at the landscape level, the Project is implemented by a consortium of local organizations, led by IUCN. The other consortium members consist of GOAL International, a regional partner, as well as the IUCN Members Agencia para el Desarrollo de la Mosquitia (MOPAWI), Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Asociación de Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre (ARCAS) and the Unidad Ecológica Salvadoreña (UNES).
The Project works towards the following specific objectives:
• Improved livelihoods through promotion of climate-smart biocommerce activities that reduce threats to biodiversity.
• Increased sustainable and climate-smart land use practices that target key opportunities to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of land use.
• Strengthened governance and regulatory framework for biodiversity conservation.
• Increased scientific capacity and education for evidence-based biodiversity conservation.
The Project is currently finalizing its sixth year of implementation and will finalize overall implementation at the end of 2024. The Project already accounts for an exit strategy to ensure the sustainability and continuation of achieved Project results beyond its finalization. This strategy determines the key factors and timeline for implementation of this final stage of the Project cycle, as well as the adequate technical and financial closure process, in coordination with IUCN and donor guidelines and procedures.
JOB DESCRIPTION
S/he in his role of Deputy Chief of Party, will be responsible for the supervision of the overall operational coordination of the project implementation and team management (sites coordinators), relating to all Regional Project issues. Provide technical advice on all issues relating to biocommerce under the RCBP project approach as well as support and direct other project staff providing technical assistance to the consortium under Biocommerce scope of works. Additionally, provide technical support on governance, social inclusion, and gender matters. She/he will support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Small Grants Program activities of the Project to ensure timely implementation of the reporting and monitoring system of the project.
The person must be based in San Salvador as key staff personnel.
RESPONSABILITIES
•Coordinate with the COP implementation of all activities, according to the contractual results expected by the donor, with particular focus on the biocommerce component of the Project, aiming at contributing to economic revenues for its sustainable commercialization.
•As an integrated member of the RCBP “One Team”, the DCOP will coordinate and follow up on the rules of procedures of USAID, ensuring the efficient delivery of results by all Project consortium members.
•Supervise periodically the work of the RCBP team and in particular, the Field Team in each of the 3 prioritized areas. Includes the financial and programmatic supervision of execution of the Project consortium members.
•Ensure the effective and timely implementation of the Projectʼs Small Grants Program, in coordination with personnel specialists and implementing partners: Support and supervise the technical and operational preparation and implementation of sub-awards, contracts, work plans, budgets, transfer of funds, according to IUCN procedures and in coordination with site coordinators, the acquisition technical assistant of the SGP, RCBP Administrator and the Regional Financial officer for the Project.
•Coordinate with consultants on agreed scopes of work and subsequent quality control of deliverables of the consultancies.
•Contribute and follow up on the implementation of strategies and issues, in coordination with COP, related to communication, gender and social inclusion and Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MEL). Includes ensuring the timely delivery of draft progress reports for internal revision, coordinating the translation of reports to English and the subsequent timely submission of final reports to the donor.
• Strengthen the design of Exit Strategy and ensure adequate implementation and closure of the project. To this end, the DCOP will lead the internal “project closure committee”, monitor the achievement of the closure plan and provide periodic reports to the involved IUCN colleagues at the regional office.
•Lead and orient the team in the final report process in close coordination with Communication and site coordinator.
Please Note:
The above TORs contain the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an ever evolving organization such as IUCN staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular TORs. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff member’s responsibilities, the TORs should be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member, and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation.
The person must be based in San Salvador as key staff personnel.
RESPONSABILITIES
•Coordinate with the COP implementation of all activities, according to the contractual results expected by the donor, with particular focus on the biocommerce component of the Project, aiming at contributing to economic revenues for its sustainable commercialization.
•As an integrated member of the RCBP “One Team”, the DCOP will coordinate and follow up on the rules of procedures of USAID, ensuring the efficient delivery of results by all Project consortium members.
•Supervise periodically the work of the RCBP team and in particular, the Field Team in each of the 3 prioritized areas. Includes the financial and programmatic supervision of execution of the Project consortium members.
•Ensure the effective and timely implementation of the Projectʼs Small Grants Program, in coordination with personnel specialists and implementing partners: Support and supervise the technical and operational preparation and implementation of sub-awards, contracts, work plans, budgets, transfer of funds, according to IUCN procedures and in coordination with site coordinators, the acquisition technical assistant of the SGP, RCBP Administrator and the Regional Financial officer for the Project.
•Coordinate with consultants on agreed scopes of work and subsequent quality control of deliverables of the consultancies.
•Contribute and follow up on the implementation of strategies and issues, in coordination with COP, related to communication, gender and social inclusion and Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MEL). Includes ensuring the timely delivery of draft progress reports for internal revision, coordinating the translation of reports to English and the subsequent timely submission of final reports to the donor.
• Strengthen the design of Exit Strategy and ensure adequate implementation and closure of the project. To this end, the DCOP will lead the internal “project closure committee”, monitor the achievement of the closure plan and provide periodic reports to the involved IUCN colleagues at the regional office.
•Lead and orient the team in the final report process in close coordination with Communication and site coordinator.
Please Note:
The above TORs contain the main responsibilities and duties of this position. However, in an ever evolving organization such as IUCN staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of their regular TORs. Where any task becomes a regular part of staff member’s responsibilities, the TORs should be changed in consultation between the manager, the staff member, and the HR Unit. Any one of the three may initiate the consultation.
REQUIREMENTS
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• Graduate degree (Master’s Degree) in any of the following subjects: business administration, economics, natural resource management, social sciences, project management, international relations, sustainable development or a similar field. • At least 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of projects and team operations, including business trade based on nature, bio-commerce, equity gender, youth considerations and governance. (Preferred) experience in the implementation of USAID funded projects in Central America. • Good knowledge of Central America and its key conservation and development issues related to coastal and marine biodiversity, economic and social development, gender concerns, indigenous people and learning activities. • Knowledge and experience in standard and custom indicators of USAID (donor); result framework of projects; analytical skills; in-depth knowledge of the project sites and ToC of the project. • • Experience facilitating in a participatory manner planning and project implementation activities with a wide range and levels of organizations and stakeholders (community organizations, governments, NGOs, private sector, research institutions. • At least Intermediate English required (both verbal and written communication skills • Willingness to travel frequently to project sites and countries (Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador). • Ability to work under pressure and to deal tactfully with sensitive political issues. • Excellent word processing, spreadsheet, and computer skills (including Smartsheet). • Experience working with indigenous peoples, local communities and coastal communities. • Excellent on developing interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills. • Proven skills in writing, problem solving, creativity, collaboration and willingness to innovate. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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