Regional Head, Land Systems at International Union for Conservation of Nature

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES;

• Strategic leadership and External Relations oversight;
• Lead the strategic development of the Land Systems Thematic Programme, ensuring that priorities identified are relevant to IUCN’s members and partners and aligned with IUCN’s value proposition;
• Act as a focal point for facilitating and supporting the involvement of IUCN Commissions, Members and other members of the Secretariat in the development and implementation of programmatic activities;
• Ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant regional, international fora and negotiations on Lands systems (forest, drylands and working lands/agriculture) in ESARO;
• Lead transformative policy influencing initiatives so as to position IUCN as strategic partner in the region
• Provide evidence-based support and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues on emerging issues and policy debates
• Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with global programme units, members, commissions, policy bodies and donors;
• Lead the design and implementation of a coherent Programme organizational structure
• Develop, coordinate and build capacity of thematic and cross thematic teams including at country level for coherence across IUCN global and regional programmes, field programmes, projects, members and partners;

Programme Development and Resource Mobilization;

• Provide leadership in programme development aligned with the ‘One Programme’ approach and taking responsibility for ensuring that funding for the programme is secured, and ensure that associated programme and project documentation is produced for fund-raising purposes.;
• Develop highly strategic initiatives that will unlock IUCN’s capacity to establish multi-million initiatives in the region.
• Lead in the identification of strategic fundraising needs and in developing concepts and identify and nurture funding opportunities for the Land System regional programme;
• Develop project concepts and proposals, working closely with thematic programme teams and other relevant IUCN ESARO thematic programme, IUCN global programmes, IUCN members and Commissions and other partners;
• Work with IUCN ESARO Senior management to identify donors and key strategic partners aligned to thematic and cross thematic priorities in the ESARO region;
• Help maintain and strengthen relationships with key thematic donors;

Technical Programmatic management;

• Accountable for overseeing quality technical implementation of contracted (“C”) projects, and the planning of the implementation of new projects during negotiation phases with donors;
• Provide technical advice, guidance and support to projects, country offices as well as other Technical Thematic Coordinators, delegating appropriately;
• Ensure that project/programme strategies and workplans are developed and implemented according to plan and commitments to partners and donors;
• Work closely with the Finance and Administration as well as Human Resource Departments to ensure that projects/programmes are financially viable and have the necessary human and other resources necessary for effective implementation;
• Ensure contractual obligations and IUCN’s policies and procedures are efficiently adhered to;
• Ensure that the different projects are coordinated, synergetic and integrated and support each other to optimize programs and projects outcomes;
• Unlock additional synergies and collaboration with other programmes and projects
• Ensure the integration of cross cutting issues into design and implementation including gender;

Monitoring and Evaluation;

• Contribute to the development of the ESARO Intersessional Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
• Ensure that all projects develop and effectively implement M&E frameworks and systems, in line with the overall Component M&E framework; and contributing to developing capacity for M&E within the country office and projects within the country portfolio.
• Populating and updating the project portal with relevant project status and performance information
• Ensure IUCN work is accountable to our donors and other stakeholders through the establishment and management of effective accountability mechanisms and processes;
• Provide leadership to use data for programme decision making, of commitment to management action on the findings of monitoring, and of listening to feedback from stakeholders to inform programme development;

Learning and Communication;

• Establish mechanisms and guidelines to enable lessons learning and sharing within the thematic area,
• Ensure coherent and consistent communication of lessons learnt to key decision-makers and other stakeholders within the region and globally as appropriate, including via the web, print and media;
• Establish and utilize mechanisms to encourage innovation both within the Programme and the Organization.
• Coordinate the production of high-quality policy briefing papers, statements, external communications products and case studies to influence target audiences.

Staff Management and Development;

• Develop, coordinate and supervise direct reports under the Land System thematic area to ensure that individuals work together as an integrated team
• Develop a culture and focus on quality in Programme Development and implementation, ensure appropriate staffing and mentorship as appropriate.
• Manage the team through effective use of the Performance Management System; regular review and evaluation of direct reports; provision of coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities.
• Ensure that all technical thematic staff proactively build and maintain technical skills and competencies required for leading and/or delivering quality programmes.

Other responsibilities;

• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education;

• Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Natural resources management, Development studies or other relevant discipline.
• High proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)

Work Experience;

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in developing, managing and implementing multi-stakeholder projects, in Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to land-use dynamics at the field, national and regional level.
• A good knowledge on land-use dynamics, and its social, environmental and economic implications.
• Knowledge of the current thinking on climate impacts on land systems;
• Familiarity with established and emerging biodiversity conservation approaches, and methodologies and processes related to land systems management;
• Network development and alliance building skills to consult and collaborate across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals; demonstrated ability to build consensus
• Results based portfolio and project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and facilitation skills;
• Project and Programme development and management, with demonstrated fundraising, budgeting and programme planning abilities and past performance, including experience of development and successful marketing of project proposals with donors, and subsequent delivery and reporting;
• Strong interpersonal, management and supervisory skills and experience.

Language Proficiency;

• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must. Good written and spoken ability in French is an asset.