Programme Manager (IUCN Rwanda Country Office)

BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND:

IUCN Rwanda in collaboration with The Governments of Rwanda and other partners is implementing IUCN Rwanda Country Strategy 2021 -2030 that focusses on four interconnected strategic priorities:

Restoration and sustainable management of landscapes and ecosystems for nature and people
Sustainable management of water resources for nature and people
Climate change adaptation and mitigation for sustainable development
Sustainable financing mechanisms for effective natural resource management

To support the implementation of the Strategy, IUCN is recruiting a Programme Manager an who will be required to work from the IUCN Rwanda Office, with frequent field travel.

JOB DESCRIPTION

ROLE & RESPONSBILITIES:

The Programme Manager will be responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of the Rwanda programme including overall planning, implementation and reporting. He/she will ensure that the programme is gender responsive and integrates gender considerations in all action areas and necessary inputs for implementing actions are delivered in a timely manner.

As a member of the Country Leadership Team, the Programme Manager is responsible for the effective delivery and oversight of programming in country, ensuring that programme activities meet the goals and objectives of IUCN, its donors and the communities we work with. Working with Technical Coordinators and Project Managers to secure additional funding, the position holder will play a strategic role in the effective scale up and management of IUCN programmes to increase impact and will have delegated authority as per the Country Representative’s delegation to represent IUCN and build IUCN’s Constituency in Rwanda.

He/She will also be responsible for managing and coordinating a technical team of both national and international staff based in Rwanda.

Working closely with the IUCN Rwanda Country Representative, the Programme Manager will provide technical leadership and strategic support in the development, planning, management, budgeting, and implementation of IUCN programmes in Rwanda. She/he will play a role in maintaining successful relationships with the Government of Rwanda, donors, partners and the IUCN membership.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

As a member of the Country Leadership Team, contribute to;
Leadership of the UCN Rwanda Country Office
Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects IUCN’s approach to programming which requires accountability and high performance of Technical Advisors and Programme Managers, encourages a team culture within a matrix management structure that ensures the technical quality of programming, and promotes at all time IUCN’s theory of change.
Develop with the Technical Coordinators and Programme Managers quarterly plans for ongoing technical support to all thematic sectors across all programmes.
Participate in the development of the country strategy and its implementation, monitoring progress through bi annual reviews.
Ensure strong performance management for programme implementation teams.
Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, donors, partners, and local and international NGOs.
Work closely with ESARO Regional Office teams and ensure that communications channels between the Rwanda Country Office and the regional office are open, efficient and that reporting deadlines are met as required.

Oversight and Programme Management;
Provide leadership and ensure efficient and cost effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of IUCN’s programme in Rwanda and the delivery of the expected results which contribute to the achievement of the IUCN Eastern and Southern Regional component of the IUCN Intersessional Programme; including the establishment of programme, financial, and administrative reporting schedules as required by relevant agreements and partners, and ensuring that these reporting schedules are adhered to.
Provide overall technical and managerial oversight and leadership for the Rwanda Programme.
Manage projects cycles (planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting). ·
Hire and manage subcontracts and consultants.
Oversight of programme results and measures in accordance with the approved log frames and time schedules.
Ensure efficient management of financial resources, including the review and approval of programme budgets and monitoring expenditures.
Oversee field operations, project administration, logistics and procurement.
Oversee the delivery and monitoring of sub-grants.
Supervise programme monitoring, evaluation, and reporting and ensure quality control and timeliness of all deliverables as required by the donors.
Ensure full compliance with all IUCN and other fiduciary regulations.
Ensure the development of good quality strategic, inter-sessional and annual plans, including the development and regular monitoring of the Programme and project work plans.
Ensure strong links between communications/knowledge management and programme coordination and delivery.
Ensure that regular support and inputs are provided to IUCN staff through ongoing performance management with a view to building up a diverse and integrated team of IUCN personnel in the country which is viewed and views itself as a component of a wider country and regional team.

Programme Development;
Help develop and maintain good working relationships with strategic partners. This includes donors, government agencies, partners & other stakeholders.
Provide leadership and technical expertise in programme development & support the resource mobilization efforts for the IUCN Programme in Rwanda.
Provide leadership in programme development aligned with the ‘One Programme’ approach and take responsibility for ensuring that funding for the programme is secured, and ensure that associated programme and project documentation is produced for fundraising purposes. This will include supervision of country specific project development activities and contribution to the development of integrated inter-country, regional and transboundary projects where and when appropriate.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Programme Implementation Teams;
Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their roles effectively.
Manage Programme implementation team, define expectations, provide leadership and evaluate direct reports regularly.
Ensure the recruitment and training of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.
Manage the performance of all staff in the Programme implementation work area through:
Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance; and
Documentation of performance with appropriate performance improvements/ workplans.

Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Country Representative.

REQUIREMENTS

• POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education;
At least a Master’s degree (Preferably a PhD) in Natural Resource Management, biodiversity conservation, development studies or an interrelated discipline.

Work Experience;
At least 10 years’ work experience in a relevant field/s.
Diverse skills and experience in programme/project development and management encompassing budgets, financial management, contracts management, resource mobilization, donor relations, knowledge management, M&E, project design, risk analysis and mitigation, stakeholder reporting, quality assurance, technical advice and oversight and managing performance of programme staff.
Experience working in the ASALs in the African region.
Significant experience managing large-scale, multi-year globally funded programmes, with a strong track record of successfully managing environment and/or development projects including previously serving as Programme Manager in Rwanda or in the African Region.
Demonstrated knowledge of project management, including project cycle requirements in a results-based management context.
Demonstrated knowledge of gender and proficiency in managing development projects that mainstream gender.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement projects with rigorous timelines and deliverables and to track programme quality through donor-approved monitoring and evaluation systems.
Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, such as local communities, NGOs, government officials, donor representatives, and local and international staff.

Language Proficiency;
Excellent command of English and strong verbal and written communication skills.
Sound command of the French Language both written and spoken.

Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provide clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by the members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understand and accept cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Take responsibility of individual and collective actions, promote the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional competencies;
Ability to work under pressure, as part of a team or independently, and meet deadlines consistently.
Ability to respond to requests on short notice and simultaneously plan and execute several activities.
Proven experience hiring, training, and supervising teams of international and local staff.
Proven leadership, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills, with the ability to build and motivate diverse teams.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and some 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

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