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Senior Programme Officer, Conservation Areas and Species

Vacancy #:   1519
Unit:   ESARO - Conservation Areas and Species
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting to:   Regional Technical Coordinator, Conservation Areas & Species
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   P2
Expected start date:   01 August 2018
Type of contract:   Fixed-term (29 months)
Closing date:   20 April 2017
BACKGROUND
Background;

The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty four countries in the Horn of Africa, eastern Africa, southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. IUCN ESARO engages directly in biodiversity conservation in the region through its innovative thematic programme, Conservation Areas and Species (CAS). The CAS programme was established in late 2010 and draws on science and best practice to enhance the conservation and management of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. It engages in enhancing management effectiveness of protected and conserved areas - ranging from Community Managed Areas to World Heritage sites and national parks. The programme works at multiple levels - influencing policy and other institutional frameworks as well as carrying out direct field actions. The thematic programme also contributes to building the capacity of IUCN Members and partners, as well as the Secretariat to understand and implement relevant international conventions including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION: Responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the projects assigned to the Senior Programme Officer by the Technical Coordinator. Specifically, the SPO will:

- Ensure the implementation of the IUCN ESARO FLoD projects in accordance with the project documents, supporting agreements (e.g. consultancy contracts, project activity implementation agreements, etc.), annual work plans and the procedures of IUCN;
- Organise and lead research activities at field level including ensuring effective logistical arrangements, developing and preparing the research materials and tools, and participating in the research activities to collect data from local communities and other key informants
- Help compile and analyse data collected from field research and other sources and contribute to the development of site-specific case studies, revised theories of change and further refinement of the action research tools and methodology
- Liaise with local communities and other key stakeholders at the project pilot sites including conducting site visits and further follow up consultations and research activities as necessary) to ensure effective communication and sharing of lessons
- Liaise closely with the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association and other key partners to help finalise case studies, guidance documents and other project deliverables;
- Help train others in the use of FLoD tools and methodologies if required
- Organise and technically and administratively support the end-of-project workshop and other meetings and consultations as required for the successful delivery of project outputs
- Coordinate and maintain regular communications (email, phone, face-to face meetings) between the members of IUCN ESARO FLoD team to help track progress with project activities and to resolve any issues affecting implementation of project activities
- Ensure the collection and collation of all project data and documents and share with the team FLoD and other key stakeholders as appropriate e.g. through dropbox, mailing lists and other appropriate methods
- Ensure that project budgets are utilized and monitored in accordance with IUCN internal controls and donor agreements;
- Ensure timely and high quality technical and financial reporting within IUCN, as well as reporting to donors in the agreed formats and deadlines and in compliance with relevant policies throughout the project lifetime
- Undertake regular duty travel as necessary to ensure smooth implementation of programmatic activities;
- Help to communicate the project results and promote visibility of IUCN ESARO CASD work through the IUCN website, articles, news stories, publications, etc.
- As required, assist the Technical Coordinator with other related CASD projects and programme development e.g. by contributing to reports and assisting with email communications, review of documents, preparation of work plans and budgets, identification and contracting of consultations

2. REPRESENTATION: Assist with building and maintaining strong relationships with relevant IUCN partners. More specifically:

- As required represent IUCN at relevant meetings in Kenya and beyond
- As required and approved, represent IUCN ESARO CASD at internal IUCN meetings.

3. FUNDRAISING:

Working closely with the CASD Technical Coordinator support the identification of opportunities and development of project proposals with a particular focus on leveraging additional funds to support IUCN ESARO FLoD work in Kenya and to expand this work into other countries in the region.

4. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT:

- Liaise with IUCN ESARO Finance Officers regarding compliance with donors’ contractual and financial requirements;
- Support the provision of financial reporting to donors by providing the finance department with the relevant project/programme information on a timely basis;
- Support the Technical Coordinator to regularly review, analyze and monitor the project financial reports and communicate any over?under expenditure observations to the Technical Coordinator on a timely basis;
- Coordinate the procurement process of project assets and ensure all processes are in line with the IUCN Internal Control systems and donor requirements.

5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

- Ensure that the project develops and effectively implements an M&E framework, in line IUCN guidelines and procedures as well as that required by the donor
- Ensure that all the information related to the implementation of projects is adequately filed, organized and updated for easy access;
- Identify and use lessons to inform future practice;
- Document and share lessons and experiences, as appropriate
REQUIREMENTS
  • An advanced degree in natural or social sciences related to community based natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, protected areas or related fields;

• At least 7 years of relevant working experience in Kenya. Relevant experience working in the broader Eastern and Southern Africa region highly desired;

• At least five years of experience with management of projects in the field of biodiversity conservation, natural resources or environmental management, including management of donor grants and donor relations, technical and financial reporting, monitoring and evaluation;

• Experience with conducting field research and working with local communities, particularly through participatory rural appraisal type approaches highly desired;

• A good understanding of policies and laws related to wildlife and protected areas in Kenya. Knowledge of the legislative and policy environments in the wider eastern and southern Africa region highly desired;

• Previous experience working with a wide range of conservation practitioners from local communities to senior government manager levels;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and fluency in Swahili. Knowledge of Maa an added advantage

• Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability;

• Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools;

• A good team worker with proven leadership abilities;

• Must be a hands-on, highly motivated, results driven and resourceful individual;

• Must have high ethical standards and impeccable integrity;

• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results on short deadlines;

• Proven communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity;

• Committed to continuous learning and self-development;

• Willingness to travel extensively, sometimes at a short notice.
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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