Programme Officer - Species Conservation-SOS at International Union for Conservation of Nature

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Programme Officer, Species Conservation will contribute to the effective implementation of a grant programme for species conservation under the SOS African Wildlife initiative. Other tasks will include priority setting and supporting the development of species conservation activities in the ESARO region and more broadly, managing donor and partner relationships, and liaison with IUCN Programmes, Members, Commissions, and partners.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Ensure the efficient implementation of the Eastern and Southern Africa component of the IUCN SOS African Wildlife inititiave;
• Be responsible for the day to day management of grants awarded under the programme following IUCN SOS standardised procedures and in coordination with the Regional Head - Biodiversity Conservation, and the Grants Coordinator;
• Support the development of operational guidelines and templates and contribute to preparing the documentation for the calls for proposals;
• Assist in reviewing applications received by the SOS Secretariat, including review of the eligibility of applicationsunder SOS criteria, and supporting the SOS Technical Advisory Group's review of applications;
• Liaise regularly with the grantees, including providing support to prepare high-quality grant proposals;
• Monitor implementation of grants, organise and conduct project monitoring missions and prepare mission reports in coordination with the Regional Head -Biodiversity Conservation, and the Grants Coordinator;
• Review progress and final reports submitted by grantees and prepare project evaluation reports;
• Lead on the data collection process for grants in Eastern and Southern Africa to feed into the SOS monitoring and evaluation framework and other tracking tools;
• Support the collation of impact data and capturing of lessons learnt towards the development of various communication outputs;
• Support the organizational development and capacity-building activities of SOS African Wildlife;
• Support the development of biodiversity conservation programme in IUCN ESARO, with particular input into the development of species-conservation elements, and building on the SOS-funded project portfolio in the region;
• Support policy interventions at national, regional and international level and make linkages between the IUCN Save Our Species on the ground work and relevant policies at these levels.
• Ensure timely and quality communication of the IUCN SOS African Wildlife initiative through IUCN's regional and global communications channels, and organizing bi-annual webinars;
• Keep the relevant IUCN Country Offices and programmes effectively updated on all stages of SOS granting processes, implementation and communications, related to SOS projects in their respective jurisdictions
• Liaise and coordinate closely and regularly with the other grant-making projects active in the ESARO region, including the BIOPAMA Action Component and the SADC TFCA Financing Facility, sharing relevant information to avoid duplication and increase efficiency e.g. updates on calls for proposals, the project pipeline, joint visibility and communications opportunities, grantee due diligence processes, etc.
• Contribute to drafting progress reports to the donor;
• Liaise regularly with the relevant EU Delegations in the region, providing updates on the status with relevant SOS grants
• Assist in identifying opportunities for partnerships and project development, and support IUCN SOS and ESARO species conservation fundraising efforts, in consultation with the Regional Head, Biodiversity Conservation, and the Grants Coordinator, including to ensure the continuation of the SOS African Wildlife Initiative;
• Represent IUCN ESARO and the Species Conservation Action team at programme-related events;
• Carry out other relevant tasks at the request of and in agreement with the line manager.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS;

Education;

• MSc degree (or higher) in biodiversity conservation, species management, environmental sciences or other relevant discipline;

Work Experience;

• Minimum of 3 years experience in the field of species conservation, preferably involving on-the-ground conservation activities;
• Knowledge of and experience with the main species conservation challenges in the region;
• Experience in grant making or project management, with strong project management skills at multiple levels including planning, implementation, reporting, and monitoring;
• Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary groups, including governments, experts and civil society;
• Good knowledge of IUCN standards and knowledge tools for species conservation is an advanatge;
• Fundraising experience;
• Computer literacy in MS Office packages;
• Excellent organizational and networking skills;
• Solution-oriented approach: demonstrates a 'thinking outside the box' attitude.
• Demonstrated ability for critical thinking, analysis and strategic planning.
• Proven ability to bring ideas from concept through to realization and implementation.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills; strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
• English - native level; other languages (particularly French) an advantage.
• Ability to take initiative, exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Ability to cope with varied workload and flexible working hours, and able to work independently.
• Willing and able to travel internationally as required.
• A demonstrated high-level ability to work in a multi-cultural, international organization, applying high standards of respect, tolerance and support required.