Chief of Party at Mission inclusion

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for programme performance, and in close collaboration with the programme manager based in headquarters, the Chief of Party (CoP) will provide overall leadership, management, and coordination of the future programme, ensuring an integrated vision among the different partners, and a focus on achieving the programme’s objectives. The CoP will also provide technical direction for the blue economy component of the programme. The CoP will be expected to identify issues and risks related to programme implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate programme adjustments. This individual shall act as the key liaison between the consortium and all other stakeholders. The position requires significant coordination skills, as well as experience in conservation, nature-based solutions (NbS) and blue economy. The CoP will also serve as Mission inclusion representative in the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIO) region.

ROLES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Representation

• Lead all aspects of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the programme and serve as the primary point of contact.
• Maintain open and professional relations with colleagues, promote a positive work environment, and ensure oversight and resources to enable staff to perform successfully.
• Represent the programme at international and regional events.
• Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyse and respond quickly to deficiencies.

Programme

• Ensure the programme is planned and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for gender equality, public engagement, and sustainability.
• Ensure efficient coordination between HQ, regional and seascapes levels and facilitate steering committee meetings as well as review/planning workshops.
• Compile and approve programme’s reports, communication materials and all external documents.

Blue Economy technical advice

• Provide leadership on the Blue economy aspect of the programme.
• Coordinate Blue Economy officers work for harmonised programme intervention in respect to specific contexts, facilitate mutual learning and sharing of best practices and lessons learned, provide individual and group support and mentorship.
• Monitor Blue Economy Officers in their relationship with local women’s organisations, including organisational capacity building and contribution to the programme’s intended outcomes.
• Collaborate with IUCN Blue Planet and Blue Partnerships Managers.

Safety & Security

• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming.
• Ensure all staff understand and adhere to staff safety and security policies and plans and ensure the updating of such plans.

Staff management

• Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting quarterly performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented annual performance reviews.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices.

Operation management

• Promote and uphold a commitment to the efficient use of Mission inclusion and donor resources.
• Ensure compliance with donor’s requirements and regulations, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting.
• Approve programme expenditures, and draft budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donor.

Coordination

• Coordinate relationships with regional authorities and stakeholders as well as partner organisation (regional level) and contractors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in International Development, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Development, Conservation, or other relevant area.
• At least 10 years of experience in relevant management and supervisory roles as well as technical experience working with programmes that are of a similar scope and scale to this programme.
• At least 5 years of experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Knowledge of Global Affaires Canada rules (Canada’s Government), regulation and procedures preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Practical experience managing consortia-led grants. Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships.
• Fluency in English is required. French a strong asset and Kiswahili and/or Portuguese a plus.
• Experience in MS Office package, Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large climate change adaptation, conservation, or community-based development projects. Demonstrated knowledge of nature-based solutions required, with prior experience of coastal and marine ecosystems of the WIO region.
• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make decisions based on sound judgment.
• Strong relations management abilities and strategic approach to relationship-building. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong communications and presentation skills (including for high levels events). Ability to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Annual gross salary ranges from 5,000,000 KES to 6,000,000 KES with full range of benefits
• Based in Nairobi, Kenya, with 50% of the time travel (WIO region and international events).