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Chief of Party

Vacancy #:   2873
Unit:   ORMACC - Forest Governance and Economy Unit
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   El Salvador - San Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
Reporting to:   Coordinador/a de Portafolio de Proyectos Oficina Regional México América Central y El Caribe (ORMACC)
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   SP
Expected start date:   01 November 2018
Type of contract:   Fixed-term (37 months)
Closing date:   25 September 2018 (extended)
BACKGROUND
After a USAID international public tender, IUCN obtained the mandate to implement the Regional Coastal Biodiversity Project (RCBP), which will contribute to conserving the biodiversity of the coastal-marine and adjacent ecosystems in Central America to guarantee the provision of benefits for current and future generations.

The general objective of the Project will be achieved through four transversal lines of work established by USAID: more science (Objective 1), Environmentally friendly Bio-commerce (Objective 2), improved governance mechanisms (Objective 3) and mitigation based on adaptation to climate change (Objective 4). These will be the four approaches that will transversally guide the expected results of RCBP to address the threats identified.

The Members of the RCBP consortium led by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), will be GOAL (International Humanitarian Organization), the Coastal Resource Center of the University of Rhode Island (CRC/URI), the Institute for Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development in the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (IREMADES/URACCAN), the Development Agency for the Honduran La Mosquitia (MOPAWI), the Defenders of Nature Foundation (FDN, Guatemala), the Association for the Conservation and Rescue of Wildlife (ARCAS, Guatemala), and the Salvadoran Ecological Unit (UNES).

RCBP focuses on three binational sites in the northern zone of Central America: the Miskito coast (Nicaragua-Honduras), the Motagua river (Honduras-Guatemala) and the La Paz river (El Salvador-Guatemala). In these areas, strategies for the conservation of marine-coastal biodiversity will be established, which can then be extended to national and regional levels. These binational coastal areas are experiencing higher than average patterns of violence and erosion of governance. RCBP will try to use biodiversity conservation as a means to improve integration regional economy, with a strong emphasis on investments, leveraging funds and synergies with the private sector; in addition, it will focus on security, stability and governance as defined in the Alliance for Prosperity of the Northern Triangle, the United States Strategy for Central America (CEN Strategy) and the USAID Regional Strategy for Cooperation for the Development of Central America and Mexico. In addition, the strengthening of the regional integration system in collaboration with CCAD, OSPESCA and CENPROMYPE will be key to scaling the results at the local level. The "catalytic" function of RCBP will be sought to ensure significant financing through the subsidy mechanism. The actions will allow establishing strategic alliances for cooperation in support of the efforts and priorities of the Ministries of Environment and Fisheries Directorates, of the countries of the Northern Triangle and organizations and public agencies at national and sub-national levels associated with the conservation of biodiversity. coastal development and the economic development of the binational areas prioritized in the Miskito coast (Nicaragua-Honduras), the Motagua river (Honduras-Guatemala) and the La Paz river (El Salvador-Guatemala). In this context, IUCN through the RCBP has considered the hiring of three operational coordinators to serve the three aforementioned binational sites
JOB DESCRIPTION
S/he will be responsible for the overall planning, monitoring and management of the project. S/he will provide dynamic and effective leadership and strategic insight and support for the implementation of the project in prioritized areas of the different transboundary areas, at local, national and regional levels. S/he will be responsible for an effective integration of the different components of the project to ensure project impacts are achieved.

The Chief of Party will directly supervise and provide technical support and guidance to the interdisciplinary team, including IUCN staff as well as the members of the consortium working within the project as well as to other members, partners, contractors, communities and organizations at local, national and regional levels.

The Chief of Party will coordinate with other USAID, US related projects and other initiatives to capitalize on the efforts and resources invested in complementary activities, and to leverage partnership and resources ensuring also capacity building for the sustainability of the project results.

She/he will ensure compliance with all project commitments, including delivery of quality reports and compliance with performance indicators. S/he will be accountable for supervision of the project staff and coordinate with consultants on agreed scopes of work and subsequent deliverables hired for this project and serve as the principal liaison with donors and program partners; in particular s/he will ensure the compliance with institutional branding and marking.

The Chief of Party will ensure that the project promotes gender equality, youth participation and avoids adverse impacts, and strongly supports communication and knowledge management within the project and throughout the region.
REQUIREMENTS
  • At least Master’s Degree in natural resource management, environmental economics, social sciences, , sustainable development or a similar field related to the project’s thematic priorities.

• At least 8 years of experience in senior management roles within similar organizations in Central America with direct supervision of professional and support staff, and technical assistance in fields related to the subject matter of the program, such as coastal and/or marine management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, marine and/or terrestrial protected areas, sustainable natural resource management, financial mechanisms for natural resource conservation and management, local communities governance, gender integration, among others.

• Proven experience and leadership in the administration of USAID (preferred) or similar international donor support programs in Central America with skills in strategic planning, implementation, supervision and budgeting.

• Strong experience in natural resources management, multi- stakeholder platforms processes as well as coastal and/or marine areas and/or watershed

• Knowledge of Central America institutions in particular those related to coastal/marine zones, protected areas, biodiversity and community based governance issues.

• Experience in nature-based productive options with a wide range and levels of organizations and stakeholders (community organizations, governments, NGOs, private sector, research institutions).

• Proven experience in managing the administrative, contracting, hiring, recruitment, financial, and logistical aspects of project and programs and strengthening teams performance.

• Ability to work under pressure and to deal tactfully with sensitive political issues.

• A proven track record of managing adaptive organizations and handling complex operations and diverse teams with time-sensitive deliverables.

• Strong cultural awareness and sensitivity to gender and youth issues.

• Excellent managerial, analytical, interpersonal, negotiating and team building skills

• Problem solving skills, creativity, collaboration and willingness to innovate.

• Fluency in English and Spanish (both verbal and written communication skills).

• Functional word processing, spreadsheet and computer skills.

• Willingness to travel frequently in Central America (rural areas and other cities related to project activities/coordination)

• Willingness to live and work in San Salvador.
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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