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Programme Office Director - East Africa

Vacancy #:   6303
Unit:   TRAFFIC East Africa
Organisation:   TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC)
Location:   TRAFFIC - East Africa, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania
Reporting to:   Policy & Partnership Coordinator - Africa
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   M1
Expected start date:   01 May 2023
Type of contract:   Fixed-term (15 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:   22 February 2023
BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC is the leading non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK. TRAFFIC’s head office, based in Cambridge UK, provides worldwide leadership, coordination, cross-regional and corporate functions. TRAFFIC’s local engagement is managed through programme offices operating under the auspices of the UK charity, with staff based in a hub office and at other strategic locations where necessary. Programme offices operate within a geographic area of responsibility focused on one or multiple countries where TRAFFIC aims to help deliver priority programme outcomes. TRAFFIC works in strategic partnership with IUCN and WWF on wildlife trade issues.

The TRAFFIC International East Africa Office is based in Arusha, Tanzania, where it is registered as an independent, international non-governmental organisation. Programmatically, the Office has a primary responsibility for engagement in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (emphasis on these first four), as well as Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. The East Africa Office further has the lead responsibility within TRAFFIC for engagement with the following inter-governmental institutions: the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES:

The Director of TRAFFIC International East Africa:
• Leads and co-ordinates the development and implementation of TRAFFIC’s Programme Strategy within the area of primary responsibility.
• Manages the implementation of activities under TRAFFIC’s agreed programme workstreams, employing its evidence-based approach to influencing policy and practice
• Ensures effective administration of a project portfolio and project and core budget of approximately USD4 million
• Leads the TRAFFIC International East Africa Office team including team management and development
• Actively develops partnerships with IUCN, WWF, and other potential collaborators in the office’s geographic area of responsibility
• Co-operates with senior colleagues in TRAFFIC worldwide in developing and marketing projects necessary to deliver the TRAFFIC Programme Strategy
• Participates fully in TRAFFIC internal management structures as requested by the Executive Director


SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Programme and project development
• Represents the TRAFFIC International East Africa Office team in the strategic development and management of TRAFFIC’s Programme Strategy involving East Africa priorities.
• Collaborates with senior colleagues across TRAFFIC in developing and marketing projects necessary to deliver the TRAFFIC Programme Strategy as a co-ordinated effort, including development of funding proposals and budgeting and scheduling planned activities.
• Ensures sufficient staff resources are available for the effective development of funding proposals, budgets, and planned deliverables

Programme implementation and partner engagement
• Oversees implementation of project activities in the area of primary responsibility, developed under the TRAFFIC Programme Strategy, ensuring that the TRAFFIC East Africa Office team delivers project results in a timely fashion and to expected quality standards
• Represents TRAFFIC in the area of primary responsibility and maintains links and good working relationships with relevant WWF and IUCN offices, governmental and inter-governmental agencies, major donors and relevant NGOs
• Ensures proactive liaison with others in TRAFFIC and with relevant WWF and IUCN programmes and offices about events, developments and activities related to wildlife trade and utilisation
• Ensures effective public and policy interactions with the media, government and non-government agencies, and with funding bodies and donor agencies

Operational management
• Ensures that TRAFFIC International East Africa strictly abides by government regulations established for international non-governmental organisations in Tanzania
• Ensures that TRAFFIC has the institutional capacity to deliver its programme in the area of primary responsibility, including, where necessary, through outposted project staff and consultants
• Manages and supervises staff and consultants, handling personnel issues including performance promptly and proactively supporting staff development
• Manages the finances of the TRAFFIC East Africa Office, ensures effective budgeting, administration and accounting of funds, as well as the accurate and timely reporting of consolidated and project-related financial statements and accounts
• Ensures preparation and submission of technical reports on activities and achievements (including six-month and annual activity reports) and project reports for funding agencies
• Leads by example by actively demonstrating TRAFFIC’s values and supporting the collaborative culture of the organisation
• Participates in TRAFFIC’s business forum, actively taking a ‘big picture’ approach to the organisation’s development
• Functions as the day-to-day Executive Director and Secretary of the TRAFFIC International East Africa Board of Directors
REQUIREMENTS
  • Strong management skills in programme planning, project development and the delivery of time-bound and quality assured project outputs
• Extensive senior experience in programme management and office operations management, normally evidenced by at least 7-10 years of experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, team management and leadership skills. The ability to work effectively as part of a team, with respect for and sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches.
• Experience of direct line management of a team of 5+ individuals and experience managing a budget over USD 2 million.
• Broad international experience and familiarity with conservation and socio-economic issues in the area of primary responsibility, preferably with several years of working experience in more than one country.
• Project development, design and marketing experience
• Strong financial management skills and proven experience of effectively developing and managing budgets
• Extensive professional work experience relevant to nature conservation, demonstrate excellent knowledge on international wildlife trade issues and familiarity with major trends in biodiversity conservation policy, as well as a strong understanding of issues relevant to the trade in wild animals and plants.
• A good understanding of CITES, CBD and other international nature conservation laws and agreements, of wildlife management and sustainable development issues, and of East African / Horn of Africa policies regarding the conservation, use of and trade in biological resources
• A university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. biology, political science, environment, social science, law or economics)
• Fluency in English, preferably a strong working ability in at least one relevant local language, and excellent writing skills
• Strong communications skills and experience of working with the media
• A willingness to travel widely and frequently and work under pressure
• Familiarity with standard word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software, and with electronic communication technology

Directly supervises staff (currently eight of 15) of the TRAFFIC International East Africa Office, and additional out-posted staff and project staff / consultants as necessary.
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/


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