Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Project Manager Job Vacancy In Zambia

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JOB TITLE: Project Manager – Kaindu Conservation Project

JOB FAMILY: Conservation Science
SALARY GRADE: 8
STATUS: Salaried
DATE: 09/28/15

SUMMARY

The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) is a leading international conservation organization established in 1951 and operating in 33 countries across the world. Its mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. TNC has been working in Zambia since 2010. The Zambia Program is one of the four large programs in Africa and contains a suite of strategic objectives and a team of people to deliver its outcomes. The Kafue Ecosystem Program, which is TNC’s flagship Program in Zambia, has five strategic outcome areas: (1) Create Enabling Conditions for Conservation; (2) Improve Resource Protection in Kafue National Park; (3) Implement Sustainable Resource Management on Communal Conservation Areas (CCAs); (4) Mitigate Impacts of Mining and (5) Source Water Protection. By pursuing these five strategies we aim to improve conditions for resource management and make the Kafue Ecosystem more resilient to climate change in order to protect critical freshwater, woodland and grassland habitats for people and nature.

Under component 3 TNC has partnered with communities of Chief Kaindu (herein referred to as the Project Area) to implement a new model of community conservation that devolves natural resource governance to communities. The Project is divided into two components that will be implemented initially for a period of 5 years. The first component is the Kaindu Community Game Ranch whose overall goal is to transform the community ranch into a viable business enterprise anchored on sustainable conservation of the area’s wildlife and natural resources through viable tourism enterprises. The second component is the Kaindu Chalala Enclave situated in Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area. The goal of this component is to strengthen the conservation of both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and develop a suite of viable nature-based enterprises. In addition the Project desires through component 2 to achieve this by linking sustainable livelihood options with specific conservation outcomes (to be defined in the Conservation Action Plans – CAPs) and by promoting development of a suite of nature-based enterprises including but not limited to nature-based tourism and where feasible pilot a carbon project for community-based sustainable forest management and climate smart agriculture (CSA).

Common to both components is improvement of community governance structures and designing of Investment Holding Companies for communities that will ensure equitable representation of households in the commercial entities and economic returns to the households.

In view of the aforementioned TNC wishes to recruit a Project Manager to be responsible for the Kaindu Project. The position will initially be funded by TNC and will, with time, become a full time position to be financed directly by the Kaindu Community once their community commercial agencies become self-sustaining. This is a senior position that will be responsible for providing overall leadership in the management and accountability for performance of the Kaindu Conservation Project which is situated in Kaindu Chiefdom. The Project Area is a critical buffer zone to the northern part of Kafue National Park. The incumbent who will be reporting to the Community Conservation Manager will be responsible for implementing  several project activities including but not limited to:

  • Day-to-day administrative; technical and financial operations of the Project. This will include developing a multidisciplinary team of professional staff with clearly defined roles and responsibilities and performance targets and managing the team with the required focus and discipline in line with the Project’s multi-year work plan and budget
  • Developing and implementing innovative conservation strategies that will address the various threats affecting sustainable management of natural resources in the project area;
  • Develop Nature-based Enterprises aimed at providing economic empowerment to the communities through value chains and market linkages ;
  • Create partnerships with public and private agencies; civil society and local communities to foster both conservation of natural resources and building of sustainable nature-based business enterprises
  • Design value chains for the various nature-based products and establish market linkages that will enable communities obtain optimal value for the natural resources within their chiefdom.
  • Build capacity of both formal and informal local governance institutions implementing natural resource governance i.e. Kaindu Natural Resources Trust and the Kaindu Community Resources Board.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Project Manager will work closely with the Country team; The Nature Conservancy Africa Region staff, other divisions of The Nature Conservancy, government agencies, regional institutions and other stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive Conservation Program for the Kaindu Chiefdom that will form the basis for the development and implementation of the Community’s Business Strategy. S/he will be responsible for Formulation and Implementation of (i) Conservation Action Plans (CAPs); (ii) Resource Protection Plan with a  focus on inter alia Law Enforcement; Resource Monitoring and Fire Management backed by strong multidisciplinary research; (iii) development and maintenance of infrastructure based on an Infrastructure Master Plan; (iv) The Project Business Plan that will spur the sustainable utilization of the area’s natural resource; (v) stakeholder collaboration program aimed at the effective conservation of the area’s natural resources; (vii) a Result-based Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) Plan with Key Indicators for both biological and non-biological systems emphasizing results and impacts for each of the interventions

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

  • Conservation Science:  strengthen TNC’s communal lands conservation program in the project area using scientifically defensible and financially innovative approaches
  • Fund raising: Explore funding opportunities and prepare marketable funding proposals and prepare concise briefing materials and talking points for the Community Conservation Manager; Country Director and senior leadership for the Africa Team as part of preparation for fundraising; negotiations of partnership and grant agreements with donors; Government agencies and other stakeholders
  • Financial Management: In collaboration with the Financial and Administration Team of TNC develop financial and administration and risk management procedures to ensure effective and efficient utilization of project resources
  • Business Development: Establish viable nature-based business plans supported by comprehensive value chains and market linkages
  • Communication: Provide seamless dissemination of accurate information regarding the Project to the stakeholders through various media including publications in peer reviewed journals
  • Capacity Building: Through coaching and mentoring and other skills transfer programs improve the capacity of local communities in various facets of community-based natural resources management and business management
  • Decision Making:  Make strategic decisions based on analysis of existing information, experience and best judgment
  • Meeting Program Outcomes: Accountable for setting and meeting project strategic goals and objectives including supervisory oversight on resources (funds; human resource etc.) deployed for the attainment of the goals of the project.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Minimum of a BSc. in Natural Resources Management; Wildlife Management; Forestry Management; Biological Sciences; environmental Studies or Developmental Studies; Environmental or Agricultural Economics or any related discipline. An Master’s degree in any of the required disciplines will be an added advantage
  • Strong business acumen with demonstrable experience in managing successful nature-based enterprises and creation of value chains for various natural resources  8 years’ experience in conservation practice of which the last 4 years s/he has been managing Projects with the overall goal of improving community livelihoods and wealth creation through sustainable utilization of natural resources
  • Knowledge of current trends and practices in the natural resources sector in Zambia and southern Africa is a pre-requisite;
  • Proven ability to work with government agencies; civil society and local communities and private sector will be an added advantage;
  • Proven skills on training, facilitating meetings/ forum/discussion, and presentation;
  • Experience in working with computers including managing databases
  • Demonstrated success implementing on the ground conservation efforts and management of nature-based enterprises in Zambia and southern Africa;
  • Knowledge of the complexity of political, private sector and civil society involvement with respect to environmental affairs;
  • Experience in designing, implementing and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability at national and/or international levels especially those related to conservation and protected area management; nature-based enterprises and climate-smart agribusinesses.
  • Experience in Policy Advocacy and Policy Advisory Work will be an added advantage

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

  • First degree may be preferred or required.
  • Proven interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills and must be able to prepare and present project proposals, and develop written communications on various conservation issues
  • Experience negotiating with other agencies, companies, private parties or related entities.
  • Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal, communication and coordination skills;
  • Ability to find creative solutions to problems and negotiate with and influence others;
  • Experience in fundraising and communications
  • Supervisory experience, including ability to set objectives and manage performance.
  • Ability to make sound decisions based on analysis, consultation with others, experience, and judgment.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES

Accountability for Outcomes: Pushes for excellence. Takes action to address performance problems in a timely and appropriate manner.

Collaboration & Teamwork: Shows a willingness to put the needs and goals of a global organization before personal/local/departmental needs.  Works with others across organizational boundaries. Makes decisions, sets priorities, and allocates resources to help the organization as a whole achieve results.

Communications: Effectively expresses messages verbally and in writing.  Actively listens to others.  Fosters open exchange of issues.  Is timely with information.

Flexibility & Innovation: Flexible to changing circumstances. Takes innovative approaches towards work. Takes calculated risks and makes dependable decisions in the fact of uncertainty.

Open to Learning: Versatile learner and committed to self-improvement.  Employs strengths effectively. Willingly shares knowledge with others. Seeks coaching on areas needing improvement. Adjusts behavior/performance as needed.  Views mistakes as learning opportunities.

Organizational Awareness: Understands the basics of our business.  Knows how local job relates to the big picture & contributes to the overall strategy.  Knows how/why things work inside TNC. Easily moves through internal networks and channels for success.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, please submit a resume/CV and cover letter to [email protected] subject line:

Project Manager – Kaindu Conservation Project. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 13th, 2015 to be considered.