Programme Manager, Liberia

The Greater Gola Landscape straddles the Liberia/Sierra Leone border and comprises a mosaic of the largest remnants of Upper Guinea forest (protected areas (300,000 ha) and National forest and agricultural land (>160,000ha worth of buffer areas), totaling>460,000ha across the two countries.

The Gola Rainforest Programme is an exciting long-term initiative supporting the management of the Critical landscape in Liberia - Gola Forest National Park and Foya (totaling 253,000 ha) and the buffer areas.

The RSPB is seeking a dynamic Programme Manager in Liberia to advise, mentor and assist the team to deliver the objectives of the Gola Landscape Programme, based in Monrovia, Liberia.

You will have particularly strong skills in capacity building and mentoring, building and managing a team, work planning, budgeting and financial management, strategic thinking, coping under pressure and building good relationships with local and national stakeholders.  You will have a strong interest in natural resources management, sustainable livelihoods, community-based approaches and capacity building.

Reporting to the Greater Gola Landscape Programme Manager, the Programme Manager, Liberia will be responsible for the management of the EU Funded Transboundary Project to Support and strengthen the Management of Protected Areas in the Gola Landscape. She/he will be responsible for advising the Birdlife partner and other project partners in programme implementation planning and monitoring, administration, fiscal management and assisting the implementation of the Gola Landscape goals and objectives.  She/he will serve as the management leader and coordinator of a team of Technical Advisors for Data Management. Conservation Science, Combatting Wildlife Crime and Partnership Development. 

The Programme Manager will also serve as one of the primary RSPB field liaisons with national and provincial host government representatives in Liberia and Sierra Leone, donors, partner agencies and local institutions and communities. As part of the cross-boundary Greater Gola Landscape, she/ he will also be the main contact to the relevant personnel at the Gola Programme in Liberia.

 Responsibilities

• Project Management of the EU Funded Transboundary Project to Support and strengthen the Management of Protected Areas in the Gola Landscape (PAPFor)
• Under the direction of the Gola Landscape Programme Manager, provide support, capacity building and mentoring to ensure adequate administrational procedures, policies (incl. HR policies, safeguarding, anti-bribery, anti-corruption, equal opportunities) and systems (incl. financial management systems) are in place
• Work with the Executive Director of the Birdlife partner, Society for the Conservation for Nature in Liberia (SCNL) to ensure that all policies and procedures are adhered to, that their implementation is monitored and adequately reported
• Work with SCNL to ensure good implementation planning, financial planning and management are in place
• Ensure, with SCNL and project partners, that Gola programme activities in Liberia are implemented according to timelines, agreed budgets, and standards of quality expected by both donors and Partners. Work with SCNL and others to ensure rigorous monitoring of programme activities and outcomes
• Collaboration with the Greater Gola Landscape Programme Manager and the other Programme Partners: to design new program directions and/or activities for Gola and assist with the development of funding proposals
• Line manage and oversee work programmes of RSPB Technical Advisers, Conservation Scientists, TA Combatting Wildlife Crime, Conservation Officer and the Capacity Development Officer
• Provide strategic advice to SCNL and Technical Advisors for delivery of the Gola Programme. Develop, maintain and strengthen key relationships with local and national stakeholders, including local communities, SCNL, INGOs and International development partners
• Work closely and collaboratively with staff and partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone to develop and implement a joint vision for a successful cross-border Greater Gola Landscape (Peace Park) Programme strategy
• Oversee the effective and efficient implementation of ongoing RSPB/BL led projects within the Programme office portfolio, including good financial management, and adequate and timely reporting according to RSPB and donor specification
• Regularly review and update risk assessment and evacuation planning for staff in Liberia

 Other responsibilities

• Maintain good working relationships with all relevant stakeholders
• Prepare updates and presentations for the Gola Landscape Programme Board meetings and be a key contributing member of the Board deciding RSPB’s strategic direction in the Gola Landscape
• Works with the RSPB Security Focal Point and provincial sub-office focal points to ensure preventative implementation of standard security operating procedures
• Work with project partners and RSPB headquarters staff to develop funding proposals and programmes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme
• Perform other relevant tasks as instructed by Line Manager

 Abilities/qualifications

• Master’s Degree in conservation technical area, international development, or relevant field required
• Extensive overseas experience, preferably in West Africa
• Capacity building in management strengthening
• Strong background in managing and directing field operations
• Strong background in financial management
• Experience in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and grant reporting
• Understanding and proven application of Climate Change, Conservation, participatory approaches, partnership, and gender to development programmes
• Strong interpersonal, team building and representational skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English

We are offering a 2-year contract to start as soon as possible in 2021.

Expiry date: 23:59, 07 March 2021

Please click the here to be taken to our website where you can find out more information about the role and complete your application.

No agencies please.