Conservation International is seeking a Regional Manager for Africa to provide technical direction and follow-up to the African portion of our Conservation Stewards Programs (CSP) project portfolio. Reporting directly to the CSP Executive Director, the Regional Manager for Africa will liaise closely with field teams to monitor and guide project implementation, by way of monthly reporting from each project and ongoing communications, supplemented by periodic field visits.
The Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) was established in 2005 to develop and test the use of conservation agreements as a tool for community-driven conservation. Conservation agreements comprise an innovative approach that offer social benefits to resource users in return for demonstrated commitments to conservation. Under a conservation agreement, resource owners agree to protect natural ecosystems in exchange for a steady stream of structured compensation from conservationists or other investors. Currently CSP is in the process of scaling-up the adoption of conservation agreements by different stakeholder and is interested in expanding its portfolio in Africa.
The Regional Manager for Africa will ensure technical coherence of each project, verify adherence to project budgets and workplans, and assist with trouble-shooting as implementation issues arise. In addition, the Africa Manager will support fundraising efforts and contribute to ongoing documentation of lessons learned with respect to the conservation agreement approach. Finally, as a member of the CSP team, the Africa Manager will assist the CSP Director in defining and executing longer term strategy for conservation agreements implementation in the Africa region, emphasizing opportunities for scaling up, long-term financial planning for individual projects, and cross-fertilization with other CI initiatives (PES/REDD+, Gabarone Declaration, etc.). The Africa Manager will provide advice to the CSP team with advice on agriculture and other development topics.
The position requires flexibility to travel internationally 40% - 60% time and ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the CSP Director in defining and executing longer term strategy for conservation agreements implementation in the Africa region
- Provide advice to the CSP team with advice on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.
- Oversee and implement program activities and manage technical and program staff.
- Monitor, measure, and provide periodic progress and metric reports.
- Ensure compliance with CI policies, funding agreements and local requirements.
- Identify capacity building needs and support efforts to address capacity gaps.
- Promote information sharing. Build stakeholder understanding and support by developing fact sheets, statistics, and related communication materials. Hold conferences and other events to share best practices and lessons learned.
- Effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues and other partners important to program success.
- Represent the organization externally and serve as a trusted point of contact for CI.
- Identify opportunities for program growth and development.
- Support program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities. Partner with CI and HQ staff on funding proposals and contribute to regional/global fundraising efforts.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree and 4- 6 years or more related work experience.
- Program or project management experience, preferably in the conservation, NGO, advocacy or related for-profit arena.
- Strong technical and analytical skills.
- Strong organization and time management skills.
- Up to 2 years experience supervising others including multi-disciplinary teams.
- Team player and able to work effectively with diverse works groups in a multicultural environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raise funds.
- Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
- Fluency in English
Preferred
- Experience in implementing agriculture, livestock management and other development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably incentive-based projects.
- Designing and implementing locally-appropriate but rigorous socio-economic monitoring frameworks.
- Experience in engaging with donors from different sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- At least an additional language desirable, preferably Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French or Afrikaans).
- Good knowledge of software to manage databases desired (access, SPSS, etc)
All applications must be submitted in English and should include a CV, cover letter, and employment references.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please see visit the Careers Page on conservation.org
