Management Assistant to the Soknot Landscape Leader at WWF

[Jamii Opportunities]

Project title: Southern Kenya-Northern Tanzania Transboundary Program
(SOKNOT-UNGANISHA)
Reports to: SOKNOT Program Coordinator, Arusha
Location: WWF Arusha Office

I. The Role
With its “Southern Kenya-Northern Tanzania Transboundary Program (SOKNOT-UNGANISHA)” WWF is implementing a multi-sectoral conservation strategy to secure important wildlife migration corridors and habitat between protected areas in the Kenyan-Tanzanian border region, reaching from the areas surrounding Mara-Serengeti in the west to Tsavo-Mkomasi in the East. The aim is to create a comprehensive, inter-connected corridor and protected area system by 2030 that can sustain animal migrations, genetic exchange, ecological functioning and natural resources. The basis for this is a process that has just begun to identify and prioritize corridor areas, the clear commitment of both countries to the establishment of national corridor systems and a comprehensive planning of land and resource use in these areas to be initiated, involving all relevant actors and stakeholders.

A joint multi-sectoral action plan based on already existing bilateral agreements between the two countries will address the need for more effective cross-border coordination and national implementation. Special emphasis is placed on the further development of nature-based livelihood support and benefit sharing mechanisms among local communities including the expansion of communal conservation areas and the introduction of sustainable rangeland, farm and water management. Existing model projects - such as the new conservancies in the Masai Mara initiated by WWF - show the enormous potential for financing this expansion, especially through nature tourism and nature-based business development. Tourism already contributes $3.2 billion to the gross national product of the countries, but needs to be complemented by other diversified income sources to improve resilience against climate impacts and tourism market fluctuations as currently caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, an ecosystem management approach closely linked to other programs and implemented in partnership with other organizations is intended to sustainably improve resource management in the project region in order to secure water availability natural vegetation and fertile soils, among other things. With this strategy the program plans to achieve the following four strategic objectives:

I. Poaching and illegal wildlife trade (IWT) of key wildlife species (elephant, rhino, lion, wild dog) and other selected threatened species (giraffe, cheetah, pangolin) are reduced, and the efforts are contributing to communities’ benefits.

II. The destruction of key forest, grass-/rangeland and freshwater resources in critical areas is reduced, ensuring free wildlife migration and dispersal, improved ecosystem-flows, biodiversity and community benefits

III. Targeted communities in critical areas in the vicinity of wildlife migration corridors and dispersal areas are benefitting from sustainable and ecofriendly enterprises and value chains.

IV. Governance structures, policies and legal frameworks between Tanzania and Kenya, are improved for sustainable trans-boundary management and are supported by regional and relevant international bodies.

Led by the Kenyan and Tanzanian WWF Country offices, the program is coordinated through its WWF office in Arusha and implemented with a team of technical experts and in close cooperation with local Government, NGO partners and the WWF network. The position will also entail working with relevant government ministries including; Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Agriculture, Livestock, Water, Lands, Foreign Affairs, Environment, etc. and the East African Commission.

The advertised position will be based in the WWF office in Arusha to provide management and coordination support to the SOKNOT Program Coordinator and expert project staff for an initial contract period of two years from March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2024. The position will report to the SOKNOT Program Coordinator as line manager.

II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the SOKNOT Coordinator with the coordination of all project activities, working with WWF, partner and government staff of different sectors (e.g. wildlife, forests, water,
  agriculture, livestock, lands) and a number of external experts and partners
• Support WWF field staff in project implementation and thematic activities such as human- wildlife-conflict (HWC) mitigation, participatory land use planning, sustainable rangeland
  management, ecofriendly business development, community-based natural resource management, wildlife and habitat conservation including river basins, agriculture and
  livestock and according to already established implementation protocols and strategies.
• Assist the SOKNOT Coordinator with the consolidation of working relationships with important stakeholders such as community leaders and community-based organizations,
  women group representatives, local user groups, Government authorities, research institutions and other projects in the region.
• Support the management of day-to-day operations, which include effective administration and tracking of project finances, procurement of goods and services accruing to donor
  regulations and WWF’s internal policies, project monitoring and evaluation, timely reporting to WWF and donors and the effective coordination and cooperation between project partners and more importantly strengthening the landscape M&E.
• In collaboration with Partnership and Fundraising Manager, assist with the development and review of concept notes, project proposals, work-, budget- and monitoring plans according to WWF and donor standards.
• Report regularly and flag important issues for follow-up by the SOKNOT Landscape Coordinator.
• In collaboration with the TCO and KCO ESSF Advisors, a ssist technical staff with the implementation of WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework including free,
  prior and informed consent of target groups, the implementation and monitoring of safeguards according to WWF’s ESSF Framework, the mitigation of identified risks and the
  establishment of a grievance mechanisms in close cooperation with the respective WWF focal persons.
• Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.
• Undertake other duties as appropriate and as may be directed by the Line Manager.

III. PROFILE
Knowledge and Qualification

• A postgraduate qualification (MSc), knowledge and experience in a relevant discipline (e.g. natural sciences, social sciences, conservation biology, landscape ecology, agroecology,
• green economy, conservation planning, agriculture and livestock or related field), a PhD qualification would be an advantage.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in relevant sectors
• At least 2 years of experience of working in complex programs with multiple and diverse implementation partners and stakeholders with cross-cutting themes and multiple objectives.
• At least 2 years of experience in program development and management, including preparing and managing sizable and complex budgets, technical and financial reporting, matrix
• working, program monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements for implementation.
• Professional experience in the Kenya/Tanzania border area would be of advantage Required Skills and Competencies
• Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to build coalitions, sensitivity in managing conflicts, maintaining trustful relationships with Government authorities, community leaders and other key stakeholders.
• Familiar with human rights and gender-based approaches when working with local communities.
• Excellent written, presentation and communication skills, with excellent fluency in spoken and written English and proficiency in Swahili.
• Visionary and results focused leadership approach with a thorough understanding of programme management disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to drive multi-stakeholder engagement processes including stakeholder workshops, and to build capacity of multiple stakeholders to engage in the project.
• Compliance with WWF’s policy framework, guidelines and work ethics

IV. MODE OF APPLICATION
Applications must include a complete Cover Letter & CV with full contact details of three referees and should be addressed to the People & Culture Manager, via email to: hresources@wwftz.org by Thursday March 31, 2022 at 4:30 pm. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female applicants are encouraged. WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce

 

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