WWF Zambia is Recruiting: Forest Landscape Restoration Project Coordinator

WWF ZAMBIA CAREER OPPORTUNITY:

FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECT COORDINATOR

Are you a dynamic, innovative, and impact-driven individual who would like to contribute to conservation? Then you are the candidate that WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is looking for. WWF is an International Non-Governmental Organization that deals with the conservation of nature. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWF-Zambia Country Office (WWF-ZCO) is seeking to hire a competent and highly motivated Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Project Coordinator, for a new project to be implemented in the Silowana Complex (South-Western Zambia) that is part of a larger Kavango-Zambezi transfrontier conservation area (KAZA).

Position Title: Forest Landscape Restoration Project Coordinator

Duration: 2 years, with the possibility of extension

Reports to: WWF Zambia Conservation Manager and FLR Regional Program Coordinator

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Supervises: Field officer, Forest Landscape Restoration Project

Description:

The FLR Project Coordinator will lead all activities within the new FLR project located in the Silowana Complex. This project is part of a regional program that started in January 2020 and takes place in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. On a national and regional level, the program aims for a regional exchange program for FLR between the 3 countries, develops standards for best practices in FLR including its upscaling and contributes to the AFR100 initiative. On a local level, WWF Zambia is in close cooperation with a local partner NGO (CBNRM Forum) for the implementation of activities on the ground. Thus, on the one hand the FLR project coordinator has to oversee the project’s resourcing, coordination and implementation for WWF-ZCO internally as well as for the local partner NGO, and on the other hand be in close connection with the regional program coordinator to report on M&E results and build up a national and regional FLR platform. The position will also work closely with government representatives to support country-led efforts on restoring degraded and deforested land in Zambia. In addition, this position will directly contribute to the WWF Forest Practice Outcomes (aligned to contribute to both the Bonn Challenge and the New York Declaration on Forests).

Major Responsibilities:

Program Development and Implementation

• Leadership and management of the FLR Project on a national level and technical contributions on a regional level
• Compliance with project outcomes, planned activities and reporting deadlines
• Set up a coordination system for the development of a national CSO platform on FLR in order to further the FLR agenda in Zambia (identify CSO partners, forming the platform, develop and implement a FLR policy advocacy plan)
• Effective management of FLR stakeholders and development of synergies for greater impact
• Support the assessment of environmental and social risks regarding the project implementation and introduce a local adaptation system of social safeguards in the project area according to WWF network standards.

Partnerships, Collaboration & linkages

• Leadship of the development and implementation of an engagement strategy for the Government of Zambia (GRZ) in AFR 100
• Support GRZ in developing and implementing a policy framework and FLR strategy
• Support GRZ to publicize and formalize the FLR framework which aligns with local land use plans
• Advocate and support GRZ in developing and introduction of a revenue sharing mechanism from sustainable use of forest resources; including improvement of transparency on timber trade /forest exploitation.
• Cooperate with multi-disciplinary teams consisting of WWF staff, and national partners to analyze and adopt innovative approaches to landscape restoration opportunities
• Strengthen WWF’s involvement in national and regional partnerships including specific task forces, engagement with donors and related regional bodies and frameworks on FLR in Africa
• Development of frameworks and partnerships for FLR interventions, catalyzation of contributions and implementation of Bonn Challenge, AFR100, climate targets (NDCs) and the New York Declaration.
• Close collaboration with WWF communications staff on outreach activities that support project delivery.

Management of Resources and Budgets

• Up-scaling of FLR activities and resource mobilization for the WWF Forest Program
• Support development of bankable conservation proposals as part of the wider resource mobilization strategy
• Ensures prudent management and safety of conservation assets and resources in designated area

Leadership and People Management

• Supervision of forest field officers in planning, implementing and reporting on FLR field activities
• Coordinates setting of project workplans and staff performance targets and undertakes periodic performance appraisal for staff in the project

Required Qualifications and Experience: 

• Master’s degree or higher in forestry/agroforestry, agriculture, natural resources management, biodiversity conservation or other relevant discipline(s).
• Technical proficiency in the field of forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, international project management or international development.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years in Zambia working in a senior management position on large, multi-country conservation programs.
• Demonstrated project management experience including experience in managing large budgets with many variables and deadlines.
• Proven experience engaging with rural communities and government representatives at the highest levels especially on policy development/ reform processes
• Excellent understanding of social and environmental risk-based approaches to managing FLR-related projects and programs.
• Conversant with Bonn Challenge and UN conventions
• Experience of working in a large NGO environment complex, and/or global organizational network.
• Excellent written and oral skills in English, any other languages would be an asset.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Project administration and management
• Ability to coordinate and manage processes and projects that require synergies with other projects or NGO partners to form new platforms and working groups
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to network and to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels
• Excellent skills in writing technical reports, presentations, budgeting and financial management
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, and conflict management skills
• Excellent negotiation, diplomacy and lobbying skills
• Demonstrated passion for conservation and social issues
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and multicultural settings
• Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software (Microsoft)

Working Relationships:

Internal

Reports directly to the WWF ZCO Conservation Manager, FLR Regional Program Coordinator and GRZ and Strategic Partnerships Manager on policy work. Collaborates very closely with other WWF Zambia thematic leaders. In addition, the FLR Project Coordinator will serve as Forest Practice focal point for WWF-ZCO.

External

Works closely with key actors (government, private sector, national and regional forums, civil society organizations), as well as donors (bilateral and multilateral).

Applications must include a cover letter and complete CV of not more than 5 pages with full contact details of three referees and should be addressed to the People & Culture Manager, via email to: [email protected] by Sunday, 10^th  May 2020 at 17:00hrs.

Note CV and Cover letter MUST be in PDF form. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.