Manager, Africa Project Support, CI-GEF Project Agency at Conservation International

• As part of the CI-GEF team, the Manager, Africa project support, will provide general programmatic support to the CI-GEF portfolio in Africa at the different GEF project cycle stages. This position will support management and oversight functions working closely with Executing Agencies. For this project support role, close collaboration is required with the grants, safeguards, and portfolio management teams to ensure GEF compliance and achieve both institutional and agency portfolio targets.
• The successful applicant will show: competencies for project management while working closely with a diverse team; excellent communication skills with grantees/clients, colleagues, and donors; and flexibility, adaptability, and ability to manage competing priorities. This position reports to the Director, Project Management and Technical Oversight, Africa, CI-GEF Project Agency.

Responsibilities
Project Development

• Review and provide technical feedback to concept notes of potential projects in line with CI and GEF guidelines.
• Provide guidance to Executing Agencies to make sure Project Identification Forms (PIFs) are prepared according to the established requirements and timelines.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the Executing Agencies during the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase to make sure PPG documents are prepared according to the established requirements and timelines.
• Coordinate with CI-GEF’s safeguard specialist to ensure that PIFs and Project Documents comply with CI-GEF safeguard requirements, including Environmental and Social Safeguard screening documents, and others as needed.
• Conduct capacity-building activities for executing agencies and key partners as needed.
• Prepare summary documents, presentations, and other project support documents to share with Executing Agencies.
• Provide other project development support as needed.

Project Implementation

• Provide guidance and technical oversight to Executing Agencies to ensure compliance with CI-GEF programmatic requirements.
• Review project reports and annual work plans to verify if projects are on track to deliver the expected results.
• Coordinate with CI-GEF’s safeguard specialist to ensure that projects comply with CI-GEF safeguard requirements.
• Conduct capacity-building activities for executing agencies and key partners as needed.
• Provide support for the CI-led Guinean Forests Integrated Program.
• Participate in project supervision visits and prepare mission reports.
• Participate in external evaluations of projects providing feedback on reports.
• Actively participate in project meetings, providing technical feedback aligned with GEF policies and requirements.
• Provide other project implementation support as needed.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor
WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position requires international travel up to 20%.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, social science, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of related work experience with project/program design or project implementation support, in the areas of environment, conservation, and/or development.
• Strong technical expertise:
  • Demonstrated proficiency in technical writing and excelling in designing and articulating projects in written form.
  • Possesses a keen understanding of technical concepts, translating them into clear and concise documentation.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in team environments and cultivate productive collaboration across a diversity of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality products subject to strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of an organization.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; including public speaking. French is an added advantage.
• Excellent team player.
• Excellent adaptive management skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including but not limited to MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Preferred

• Master’s degree in environmental science or related field.
• Experience with GEF projects or public funding donors.