Openings at International Union for Conservation of Nature

JOB DESCRIPTION

Specific Duties:

• The Senior Finance Officer - Programmes will perform the following specific duties: Programme Accounting and Financial Management;
• In partnership with the Programme Management Team, oversee the operation of financial and administrative systems for all projects.
• Support in development of risk register for all projects as assigned and monitoring on a quarterly basis.
• On a monthly basis provide project financial reports, information and advice to budget holders on budgets, procurement, financial and administration regulations and any other information key in informing project implementation
• Exercise authority over project budgets control and ensure effective tracking of income and expenditure through the project life cycle
• Oversee the allocation of staff time on TMS and follow up on a monthly basis to ensure cost recovery from projects
• Support in assigning new signed projects award numbers on award vision and ensure the project is converted into a C-project on the project portal.
• Review donor financial reports to ensure consistency with underlying NAV records and compliance with IUCN and donor requirements before approval by the Grants and Contracts Manager
• Maintain donor contract files including addendums of such contracts as part of the efficient, robust and transparent filing system.
• Prepare donor financial reports to ensure consistency with underlying NAV records and compliance with IUCN and donor requirements.
• Support in review and sign off process of donor contracts and consultancy contracts ensuring that IUCN contract and procurement compliance regulations are adhered to.
• Ensure the monthly project in deficit report is prepared and tracked and uploaded in NAV making sure any shortfalls are expeditiously dealt with in an effective manner
• Support with monthly preparation of project status report for review
• Ensure closed projects are appropriately closed in NAV through clearance of balances thereon and blocking.
• Commission project specific audits as per donor reporting requirements and ensure completion on a timely basis and submission as per contract deadlines to donors.
• Implementing Partners Management;
• Participate in the Due Diligence process of sub grantee selection for all sections relating to financial management and reporting.
• Oversee and ensure appropriate creation of IPs in NAV ensuring that the subaward codes are properly assigned and all expenditure is linked to subaward code.
• Follow up and review of implementing partners reports to ensure spending is as per approved budgets and ensure compliance to donor requirements.
• Ensure IP balances for ESARO are reconciled, confirmed and uploaded in NAV at least on a quarterly basis.

Budget Management;

• Support the annual IUCN planning and budgeting process in accordance with instructions issued by HQ.
• Support the development of project proposal budgets and carry out preliminary checking prior to submission for internal financial assessment for various projects as will be assigned.
• Support in ensuring accurate project budgets are input on the project portal
• Monitoring of project budgets to ensure spending is a s per approved budgets.

Others;

• Provide technical financial services support to Kenya office and the country offices.
• Preparing and reviewing the project status report and projects in deficit report on a monthly basis
• Support implementation of annual IUCN external audits.
• Carry out any other duties that may be assigned by supervisors from time to time.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education: First degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Relevant professional qualification in accounting - CPA (K), ACCA I, CIMA preferred.
• Functional Competencies;
• Minimum 5 years' relevant work experience in similar capacity with a recognized regional or international development agency
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English Working knowledge of Kiswahili and another AU/IUCN/Regional language would be an added advantage.
• Hands on experience in financial management of projects funded by EU, USAID, BMU IKI, ADA, BMZ, KFW among others.
• Working Knowledge of use of ERP-Navision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Proficiency in advanced MS Excel is an advantage
• Maintains High personal integrity and confidentiality
• Result oriented person with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining work relationships in the face of conflicting demands Excellent relationship management and communication skills with the ability to work in a dynamic team environment
• A confident and positive attitude with excellent cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Willingness to travel
• A self-starter who requires minimum supervision.

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Overall objectives

• Support the protected and conserved areas team in launching the project and accelerating delivery of the IUCN’s ‘30x30 Challenge’ led by the protected and conserved areas team. Expected results

SUPPORT THE LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT AND COORDINATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS

• Support activity planning and reporting.
• Assist in delivery of assigned project activities and tasks (including consultant recruitment and events).
• Support the preparation and the implementation of necessary launch meetings and workshops.

SUPPORT OECMs PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

• Conduct administrative functions necessary for the development of the OECMs project activities (e.g. setting up conference calls, taking minutes, maintaining distribution lists, creating surveys, processing contracts, booking venues, managing invitee lists, assisting with travel logistics).
• Contribute to meetings for strategy development and support alignment of project activities and other tasks with project goals (e.g. through reporting and communication) 
• Support the alignment and technical framing of activities and outputs, including drafting Terms ofReference, studies and communications 

SUPPORT EVENTS ORGANIZATION

• Support administrative organization of events (e.g. invitations, contracts, booking venues, managing invitee lists, assisting with travel logistics….)
• Support events’ implementation (logistic preparation, IT support, outreach and communication…

Consultancy qualifications and experiences

• A consultant with experience in following areas will conduct the work:
• Postgraduate qualification in social sciences, Natural resource management, Environmental Science, or related field;
• Must have the right to leave and work in DRC Congo and based there;
• At least 2 years’ experience and background in projects related to natural resource management or indigenous people’s rights;
• Proven knowledge and understanding of effective management of protected and conserved areas for terrestrial biodiversity;
• Proven communications skills both French and English, and in drafting reports;

APPLICATION 

Interested candidate are invited to submit the following by email to the following two emails addresses: aissa.traore@iucn.org and jennifer.kelleher@iucn.org

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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.

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JOB DESCRIPTION

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Programme Officer, BIOPAMA Action Component will be responsible for the day-to-day administration, coordination and supervision of the BIOPAMA Action Component for Eastern and Southern Africa. S/he will work closely with the BIOPAMA Regional Coordinator, the BIOPAMA Global Action Component team, as well as the regional and global BIOPAMA Finance Officers to ensure efficient and affective grant-making in the region. The Action Component Officer will be responsible for working with the RRH team and specifically the RRH Policy Officer and national agencies to ensure alignment of funded projects with national- and site-level priority actions required. S/he will support and advertise calls for proposals (as relevant), manage all potential grantee liaison and organize relevant capacity building activities. S/he will work closely with the BIOPAMA finance team to contract grantees and ensure reporting is in line with donor requirements. S/he will manage all reporting, internal and external, related to the Action Component and will support the promotion and capitalization of the granted projects.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Management of Grant portfolio;
• Implement all processes required at regional and national levels for grants management in accordance with the BIOPAMA AC guidelines and the grantee contracts;
• Manage the review of technical and financial reports from grantees, and verify completion of products, deliverables, and short-term impacts by grantees in order to review the efficiency and efficacy of project implementation;
• As necessary, provide direct technical support for capacity building, particularly of local-level civil society organizations and mentor applicants and grantees through aspects of grant management, from the initial proposal design and submission process, to assisting with project monitoring and evaluation;
• Monitor performance through communication with grantees and through site visits where appropriate;
• Liaise regularly with other members of the Action Component team (finance, administration, communications) to ensure effective coordination and smooth implementation of the AC;
• In liaison with the Regional BIOPAMA Coordinator and global colleagues, ensure integration and compliance with the IUCN Environmental and Social Management System and the BIOPAMA AC Operational Manual;
• Contribute to information sharing, lessons learning and documentation of Action Component project and programme experiences
• In liaison with the Regional BIOPAMA Coordinator and global colleagues, promote BIOPAMA AC funded projects' results and success stories and ensure all grantees communicate effectively about their projects;
• Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement;
• Assist in building and maintaining strong relationships with IUCN partners, donors, project participants and wider stakeholders and develop the Action Component network.

More specifically;

• 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.
• Ensure that the relevant EU delegations, the regional ACP secretariat and IUCN commissions and membership are kept suitably engaged and informed;
• Ensure close synergies between the grants programme and RCMRD's roles in BIOPAMA particularly in regard to management effectiveness assessments and activities that will improve the quality of baseline protected and conserved area information and ensure that relevant information derived from grant projects is accessible to the Regional Resource Hub at RCMRD;
• Support the Regional BIOPAMA Coordinator as required through engagement on regional network groups, task forces and committees; representing IUCN and BIOPAMA at assigned relevant regional fora, meetings and workshops at national and regional levels; contribution to IUCN ESARO programme planning forums, advisory committees and, project reviews.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning;

• Support the development and implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation systems and support accountability and programme learning processes. More specifically: Lead on the data collection process for grants in Eastern and Southern Africa to feed into the BIOPAMA AC 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 development of a communication strategy to promote learning from grant implementation and communicate impact of investment;
• Work effectively with the BIOPAMA global team to deliver regional BIOPAMA communication products and communicate results;
• Prepare inputs for reports related to the implementation of the Action Component in Eastern and Southern Africa, contributing to the overall BIOPAMA reports;

Programme growth;

• Contributing to processes that guide the growth of the ESARO Programme and development of the Thematic Programmatic portfolios. More specifically: Contribute to the development of the biodiversity conservation programme in IUCN ESARO, building on the BIOPAMA-funded project portfolio in the region;
• Promote collaboration between IUCN's thematic portfolios and provide inputs from the BIOPAMA AC learning and direction;
• Assist in identifying opportunities for partnerships and project development, and support IUCN conservation fundraising efforts, in consultation with the Regional Head, Biodiversity Conservation, and the BIOPAMA Regional Coordinator, including to ensure the continuation of grant-making in support of protected and conserved areas;

Other responsibilities;

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

REQUIREMENTS

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Education;

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field such as conservation biology, natural resource management, environmental management, or an ecology or natural science related discipline. A certificate or diploma in an ecology related discipline accompanied by 5 years' relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the University Degree requirement.

Work Experience;

• At least 5 years' experience in biodiversity conservation and/or protected areas management, ideally involving terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, at national and/or regional levels, in Eastern and/or Southern Africa;
• Experience in the management of grant-making facilities in Eastern and Southern Africa; experience with European Commission projects would be an added advantage
• Experience in communicating and collaborating with management agencies, local communities, academic institutions and local, national and regional stakeholders to achieve agreed collective outcomes;
• Experience in interacting confidently with diverse stakeholders including with government officials and local communities;
• Hands-on experience with report writing;
• Proven experience in project administration;
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and working as a facilitator or trainer in a multi-cultural setting

Language Proficiency;

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal;
• A working knowledge of French and / or Portuguese and / or Swahili is an advantage.