Senior Manager, GCF Project Oversight at Conservation International

• The primary duty of this position is to provide project oversight to ensure that projects are being implemented effectively, and efficiently, in accordance with their approved designs, and in compliance with GCF and CI policies. This position is part of the CI team that serves in the Accredited Entity role of project oversight and is not part of the team that serves in the Executing Entity role of project execution. The position will also provide support for the origination and development of new GCF proposals as requested. The person filling this position must have familiarity with the requirements of complex public donor agencies; and knowledge of development, nature conservation, or climate change projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight of GCF projects

• Track the performance of GCF projects against approved target indicators, logical framework, work plan, and budget through regular communication with project implementers, reporting, and on-site supervision missions.
• Liaise with project staff to receive, review, and synthesize performance monitoring information,  to support adaptive management, and capacity building needs, and ensure timely compliance with internal and GCF monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with CI-GCF Safeguards and M&E staff, to track compliance with Gender Action Plan, ESMP, and M&E Plans
• Serve as the CI-GCF principal point of contact with executing entities, GCF National Designated Authority government representatives, and project implementation partners, which may include external international organizations, non-profits, businesses, and governments, to ensure a high level of coordination within the project.
• Following the approval of proposed projects by the GCF Board, support the negotiation of the Funded Activity Agreements with the donor and Grant Agreements with Executing Entities.
• Provide support during the project start-up process, including review of proposed key project staff, review of grant pre-condition requirements, advising on implementation and governance arrangements, and planning of project kick-off meetings; and during project closeout
• Provide training, capacity building, and technical project guidance to Executing Entities, government entities, project partners, and relevant stakeholders on CI and GCF policies, processes, reporting, and monitoring requirements.
• Ensure that project progress and data are entered and tracked in CI-GCF project monitoring systems. Contribute to the design and improvement of these systems as needed.
• Coordinate the project reporting process including the review, revision, approval, and submission of the quarterly, annual, mid-term, and terminal reports as well as report summaries to CI-GCF Agency and the GCF Secretariat.
• Support project adaptive management with the EE to address project challenges and roadblocks, including the preparation and review of revised work plans, remediation, or restructuring plans, including to the donor, if applicable.
• Coordinate with CI-GCF staff, and CI interdivisional technical and operations staff to prepare reviews of project documents throughout implementation.
• Engage with other CI units, including the General Counsel’s Office, to ensure project legal compliance and limit risks to CI.
• Work collaboratively with CI-GCF grants manager on financial and operational matters, including budget and burn rate, financial reporting, cash disbursement, procurement (including consultant TOR review), and sub-grant monitoring to ensure efficient project performance and that CI operational / finance policies are applied and GCF requirements are followed.
• Prepare any required updates/summaries on the projects and lead project-related meetings with the GCF, NDAS, Executing Entities, project partners, and other key stakeholders.  
• Serve as the project’s primary point of contact for the GCF’s Division of Portfolio Management (DPM), respond to GCF requests for project information, and provide relevant updates
• Support the development and implementation of Impact Evaluations for GCF projects, in coordination with CI-GCF and CI M&E colleagues
• Support the review and approval of mid-term and final project evaluations prepared by independent evaluators.
• Conduct periodic site visits to the project for technical oversight, in coordination with the CI-GCF grants manager.

GCF Concept / Project Development

• Serve as an initial point of contact within the CI-GCF Agency for inquiries from CI field programs and external partners regarding new GCF proposal ideas.
• Advise CI field programs and external partners about the GCF project cycle and applicable CI and GCF policies and priorities.
• Support other CI-GCF staff on proposal development at all stages of the proposal process.
• Participate in government and other stakeholder engagement meetings as necessary.

Contribute to the strengthening of the CI GCF Agency

• Provide inputs to the GCF Agency’s overall strategy and alignment with CI’s broader mission.
• Preparation and delivery of presentations and written materials to increase CI and partner knowledge of the GCF.
• Collaboration with CI safeguards, gender, finance, and other thematic experts to build capacity across the organization.
• Advise on new opportunities, partnerships, and projects that will ultimately build the CI-GCF funding portfolio.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hybrid work schedule, with some days each week in the Conservation International Nairobi office and other days working from home. The schedule will align with the current policy of CI Kenya.
• Candidate must have access to high-quality Internet service from their home location.
• This position will be based in Nairobi and the candidate must have authorization to work in Kenya.
• National/international travel, up to 20%.
• Work collaboratively with co-workers based in the United States’s Eastern time zone and therefore requires occasional availability for evening and early morning calls with staff and partners in other time zones.
• 12-month position with the possibility of extension.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, international development, or related field.
• 5 to 7 years of experience working with project/program management and implementation and/or oversight with expertise in monitoring and evaluation in the areas of environment, conservation, international development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience with the implementation or oversight of projects in Africa.
• Demonstrated experience with the implementation or oversight of large (>USD 5 million) projects and programs funded by bilateral/multilateral public donors, including reporting.
• Understanding of public-funding M&E standards and requirements.
• Knowledge of the GCF and its mission.
• Understanding of grant budgets and operations and their role in project delivery and adaptation.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work products on strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and synthetically across fields and topics.
• Resourcefulness, adaptability and creativity, problem-solving skills, and ability to work proactively and independently.
• Experience in cross-cultural consultation, training, capacity building, and collaboration.
• Service focus, courteous, tactful, and proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others from a variety of disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills to internal and external audiences.
• Excellent computer skills, including but not limited to MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Adaptive management skills
• Conflict resolution skills

Preferred

• Experience working with the Green Climate Fund or similar donors (e.g. GEF, UNEP, UNDP) and/or knowledge of GCF policies and requirements.
• Experience in environmental and social impact assessments, development and execution of safeguard management plans, gender action plans, and/or indigenous peoples plans.
• Understand international development projects.
• Experience with direct engagement/coordination with national governments.
• Proficiency in French or Spanish.
• Experience with non-grant financial instruments in development or climate change projects.
• Experience with private-public partnerships and/or engagement with private-sector entities to achieve positive climate change outcomes.