Job Description

IKI Regional Project Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

CIxe2x80x99s Africa Field Division is prioritizing rangelands as a key pillar to realize the vision of a prosperous Africa by 2030 by developing and implementing nature-positive economies across 70 million hectares of oceans, forests, mangroves, and rangelands. The Africa Rangelands strategy is centered on a goal to restore and sustainably manage 20 million hectares of rangelands in Africa by 2030 in a way that advances human well-being, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and sparks a continent-wide rangelands movement urgently needed to reverse degradation.

CI is in consortium with GIZ, Peace Parks Foundation, and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA) to implement the IKI project titled Growing Greener - Restoration and sustainable use of Agro-pastoralist Systems in open arid landscapes across Southern Africaxe2x80x9c, to promotes community-led, market-oriented agro-pastoral land-use systems that prevent landscape degradation while fostering sustainable rural development in four countries- South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar and Zambia. The project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), will apply xe2x80x9cHerding for Healthxe2x80x9d (H4H) approach to different scales, adapting the approach to local contexts, whilst leveraging impact and transformation at the regional level.

The projectxe2x80x99s transformative approach works at the local, national, and regional levels including (1) working with agro-pastoralists to adopt innovative land-use practices and nature-based solutions, (2) developing soil and landscape restoration economies through public and private investments, market access, ecosystem valuation and green Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) support, (3) strengthening an enabling policy framework for sustainable land use, and (4) enhancing capacity to scale up sustainable management practices across Southern Africa.

In the consortium, GIZ is the project lead agency, with Conservation International (CI) implementing on-the-ground activities in Botswana, Madagascar, and South Africa, while Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) delivering on-the-ground implementation in Zambia and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA) for knowledge management and capacity building support. GIZ ensures policy-related activities and coordination of the project at the national level in each country and at the regional level across the four countries.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Johannesburg, South Africa

The overall objective of the IKI Regional Project Manager role is to provide project management leadership to the CI component of the IKI project and act as a bridge between CI and GIZ and other consortium members during implementation to ensure budgets and workplans are implemented as planned and delivering planned project outcomes. The role is expected to ensure quality and timely project reporting of the CI component.

The purpose of this role is to ensure successful day-to-day implementation of the project by closely liaising with the country implementation team leaders, providing technical and administrative support and oversight to deliver project outcomes with prudent financial management approaches.

The overall main responsibility of the role is to provide overall project management leadership and shall supervise the implementation of the CI component of the project by working closely with CI country leads and the GIZ project lead to ensure that the project meets stated goals and reporting targets including financial requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Africa Rangelands Program Director and supported by the Africa Rangelands Program Manager, IKI Regional Project Manager will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Work closely with the GIZ IKI project lead to ensure consistency and strengthened CI-GIZ partnership, alignment of reporting expectations and deliverables.
• Coordinate the implementation of the CI component of the IKI Project in the four countries Botswana, Madagascar, South Africa and Zambia in cooperation with the consortium partners.
• Work with CI country leads and engage IKI government National Coordinators in Madagascar, South Africa, and Zambia to mobilize government participation, ownership, and leadership during implementation.
• Coordinate with consortium partner leads and the national GIZ coordinators in the four countries at the strategic, regional level and promote exchange among the four countries to ensure integration, alignment, and shared lessons.
• With support from Africa Rangelands Director and relevant CI Country Director in Botswana and South Africa and the other CI regional leads, represent the project in engagements with SADC Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) Directorate in the SADC Secretariat, GIZ leaders and other key project partners.
• Ensure prudent management of finance, administration, and contracts including managing risks arising thereof.
• Organize project-related regional meetings and events and facilitate their implementation (e.g. Steering and Planning Meetings, Meetings with consortium and partners).
• Establish monitoring system with consortium partners in the four countries and ensure regular reporting of the overall project to GIZ.
• Ensure project implementation meets CI quality standards by ensuring social safeguards and diversity, equity and inclusion, and other policies are strictly adhered to.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with logistical support, as and when needed on matters related to IKI project work.
• Provide communications support for workshops, meetings, and other special events for both internal and external participants.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• This position does not have direct supervisory authority but will indirectly supervise CI country leads.
• Work with other staff to develop communications, learning materials, and protocols related to IKI project if/when needed.
• Work with outside parties, such as vendors, contractors, and partners on matters related to IKI project delivery

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel on a regular basis to implementing countries (Madagascar and Botswana (and Zambia if required) and other local and international destinations especially SADC region, as needed to effectively deliver on the project.
• Flexibility to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
• Expected to be a 3-year assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, natural resource management and planning, social/political science, or related field.
• 4 to 6 years of professional experience with proven success in project management.
• Proven knowledge and experience in management of smaller projects and contracts: planning, monitoring and evaluation, and project delivery.
• Networking and working experience at the policy level with regional institutions, Governments, international development partners, and NGOs.
• Experience in rangeland restoration/management or pasture and livestock management and in sustainable land use management is an advantage.
• Self-motivated, organized, proactive team player, able to work independently with excellent output.
• Experience in the SADC region is an advantage.

Preferred

• MSc degree
• Fluent written and oral knowledge of English. Knowledge of French would be an advantage.
• Excellent writing, presentation, communication, and networking skills.
• Ability to effectively deliver results in a multicultural environment.
• A proven team player, and an inspirational leader.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: October 5, 2023 (11:49 PM EST)

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Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

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