Project Officer - Integrated Planning to Implement the CBD Strategic Plan and Increase Ecosystem Resilience to Climate Change, Tanzania

OPEN ONLY TO TANZANIAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN TANZANIA ON A LOCAL CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

Integrated Planning to Implement the CBD Strategic Plan and Increase Ecosystem Resilience to Climate Change is an IUCN Project that aims at increasing capacity to optimize land use planning to support biodiversity and climate change adaptation objectives, including through the effective engagement of protected area systems.

The overreaching goal of the Project is to contribute to the implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 by strengthening participatory land use exercises and by integrating biodiversity and climate aspects into legal and institutional land-use planning frameworks. The objective of the project is to improve coherence and resilience in planning and implementation of natural resource and biodiversity-related climate adaptation among African LDCs, with a specific focus on the interplay between biodiversity and climate change, by enhancing integration of law and policy work via capacity building.

The project will engage four countries from three different regions: Vietnam (Southeast Asia) in the Mekong Delta, Colombia (South America) along the Caribbean coast and hinterland, and Tanzania and Zambia (Eastern and Southern Africa) in the context of Lake Tanganyika catchment ecosystem.

The Project Officer will report to the Technical Coordinator Conservation Areas and Species Diversity (CASD) for all project implementation matters under these TOR. The Project Officer will work closely with the Programme Coordinator of the SUSTAIN1 programme in Tanzania. The Project Officer will support and work with technical staff from appropriate authorities involved in the project in Tanzania and Zambia. S/he will be responsible for delivery of assigned projects in accordance with both donor and IUCN requirements. In addition, the Project Officer will support the Sustainability and Inclusion Strategy for Growth Corridors in Africa (SUSTAIN-Africa) Programme by working with cluster leads to incorporate integrated resource planning methodologies and management in its work in the clusters. This is to support greater coherence and resilience in planning and implementation of natural resource and biodiversity-related climate adaptation in the clusters.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Project Officer will be overall responsible for the project delivery of technical results in Tanzania and Zambia throughout the project period, he will work under the supervision Technical Coordinator Conservation Areas and Species Diversity (CASD) and will have functional reporting responsibilities to the SUSTAIN programme coordinator. The Project Officer will keep the Legal Officer and the Head of Programme of IUCN-ELC regularly informed of progress on both dialogue coordination and technical policy work.

More specifically, this will involve:
• Taking the lead on developing local component of the project work plan, in consultation and cooperation with the Technical Coordinator Conservation Areas and Species Diversity (CASD) and the SUSTAIN programme coordinator.
• Managing, implementing and monitoring the technical activities described in Project Work Plan where IUCN ESARO is listed as the responsible party; (including assuring quality of performance & progress, timing and budget);
• Preparing and finalising required (Monthly, Semi Annual, Annual) technical and financial reports of the project, for both Tanzania and Zambia. Ensure collection, collation, and reporting of all project data and documents, and assist with the submission of technical progress reports according to the agreed formats and deadlines;
• Ensure that project budgets are utilized and monitored in accordance with IUCN internal controls and donor agreements;
• Communication and Coordination of activities with various stakeholders that will include implementing partners, other IUCN and non-IUCN projects and potential local donors.
• Supporting learning processes and contributing to ensuring that ESARO and ELC utilizes lessons, experiences and new knowledge gained by the project to inform wider spectrum of stakeholders as well strengthen its Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation Programs.
• Providing technical advice to national consultants; provide technical support and facilitation to project activities and ensure quality outputs that meet the satisfaction of project partners and donors;
• Development of a project M&E framework which capture the aims and objectives of the project; strengthen capacity for M&E within the project, and ensure that all the information related to the implementation of projects is adequately filed, organized and updated for easy access.
• Develop synergies and support implementation of any other projects or activities at TCO, implement other duties as may be directed by TCO Head of Office from time to time
• Support the mainstreaming of the outputs and outcomes of the project (including guidance material, training outputs, policies briefs, lessons leant and others), especially as they relate to integrated planning, in the broader SUSTAIN project. This would involve collaboration and regular communications with the SUSTAIN team at national level, clusters level in Tanzania and potentially at regional level to mainstream the outputs and outcomes.
• Work closely with the SUSTAIN coordinator in Tanzania and the SUSTAIN Sumbawanga and Ihemi/ Kilombero cluster leads (implementing partners) in implementing the project to ensure alignment and added value with SUSTAIN activities
REQUIREMENTS
  • A Master’s degree in environmental management, natural resource management, Land use planning or related disciplines

• At least 5 years working experience, preferably in the management of projects in Natural Resource Management, rural development or a related field

• Experience with results-based project cycle management including monitoring and evaluation methodologies and project budget management

• Experience in participatory and community based development or natural resource management approaches

• A good understanding of land use planning issues in Eastern and Southern Africa

• Experience in interacting confidently with multiple stakeholders including with government officials and local communities

• Willingness to undertake regular field visits in challenging environments;

• Excellent verbal and communication skills in English is essential. Proficiency in English and Kiswahili is necessary,

• Strong motivation for working on land use, biodiversity conservation, climate change and sustainable development;

• Ability to work with minimum supervision and function in multicultural and multidisciplinary environment;

• High personal integrity especially in matters related to finance, official information and communications;

• Excellent communication skills and proven writing ability.

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

• Strong organizational and administrative skills;

• Strong interpersonal, management and supervisory skills and experience;

• Willingness to undertake regular field visits in challenging environments

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

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/