Evaluation Criteria

Weighting

E.g. Quality (logic, thoroughness, well-researched, clarity)

20%

E.g. Price (criteria – overall cost)

10%

E.g. Technical Merit (experience working in developing countries (West/Central Africa), programme management, fundraising, grant management and reporting, financial management, protected area, patrol-based monitoring, experience delivering training, project design and management, reporting)

70%

ZSL

Means Zoological Society of London, Reg. Charity 208728

Contract

Means any contract that results from this Request for Proposal

Proposal

Means a written offer submitted in response to this Request for Proposal

Proposer

Means an entity that submits, or is invited to submit, a Proposal in response to this Request for Proposal

Requirement

Means the supply to be made by the entity that forms a Contract with ZSL in accordance with Part 2 of the RFP.

INTRODUCTION

The Zoological Society of London’s Africa Programme is seeking a Landscape-based Programme Manager, for W-Arly-Pendjari conservation complex (WAP-COM (based in Cotonou, Benin) to manage and provide technical support to the project, based primarily in the field around the WAP complex.

The W-Arly-Pendjari conservation complex (WAP-COM), spanning the borders of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin, is one of the most important areas for conservation in West Africa. It represents the last relatively intact savannah system in the region and is a conservation priority for both large carnivores and African elephant. The complex faces increasing threats from illegal hunting, encroachment from pastoralists and agriculture all compounded by a lack of capacity to monitor, protect and manage the landscape.

SUMMARY

The post will be based in ZSL’s office in Cotonou with travel to project sites as well as other regional and international travel as required.

The post resides within the Africa Programme, reporting directly to the Programme Manager for Africa. The WAP Programme Manager will work with the ZSL Africa team and other ZSL Departments including Legal, Human Resources and Finance in order to oversee the start up of in-country project management functions and facilitate the formal registration of ZSL in Benin.

The Post Holder is required to ensure the smooth running and delivery of ZSL’s programme in the WAP landscape, through partner relations, project delivery and development and implementation of efficient, effective operational systems, policies and processes for ZSL’s activities, working closely with colleagues in the Africa team and the Society’s central support functions e.g. HR, Finance and conservation programme’s operations team.

DELIVERABLES

1. Programme development and project delivery

1. Work alongside colleagues in the programme team to ensure effective delivery of project activities in line with X grant contracts.
2. Support programme development and fundraising activities through identification of funding and partnership opportunities and development of funding applications and budgets.
3. Support production of technical and financial reports to project donors and partners as required.
4. Implement effective operating procedures includingwork planning and budget planning to facilitate project delivery, grant management and administration.

2. Financial and logistical oversight

1. Oversee programme budgets, and the keeping of accurate financial records including use of QuickBooks. checking and monitoring of spend, and submission of monthly reconciliations to ZSL HQ, financial reports to programme staff and preparation of donor reports
2. Plan and organize work schedules, and travel logistics.
3. Oversee to completion ZSLs’ registration in Benin, ensuring full compliance with requirements and submission of all registrations and associated paperwork for the operation of ZSL in the region, including insurances, taxes etc.
4. Ensure ZSL’s assets – vehicles, equipment, and materials are managed, maintained and inventoried.

4. Health & safety

1. Put into practice operations that comply with and promote ZSL’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.
2. Ensure ZSL medical insurance is kept up-to-date and liaise with personnel and the insurers on any claims.
3. Ensure all risk-assessments and emergency response plans are kept up-to-date and are implemented.

5. Human resource and partner relationships oversight

1. Oversee local recruitment where necessary job descriptions, request to recruits, job adverts, and contracting.
2. Draw up volunteer agreements and employment and consultancy contracts as required.
3. Oversee any international visits to the programme.

6. Management of administrative and other partner relationships

1. Oversee development and maintenance of MoUs, letter of agreement etc., including any reporting requirements.
2. Representing ZSL as required with partners, maintaining good and effective communications.

7. Field based and technical activities and reporting

1. Contribute to design, development and implementation of activities, including biomonitoring, social surveys, socio-economics and community engagement etc.
2. Depending on the successful candidate the opportunity exists to Contribute to data analysis, technical reports or scientific publications.
3. Work with programme colleagues to submit monthly reports and maintain regular communications with London HQ

REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent verbal and written French essential with good English desirable.
• Extensive operations experience in an international NGO or similar non-profit, working across multiple project portfolios.
• Good knowledge of HR, finance and health and safety policies, procedures and best practice, with experience of applying them in international organisations.
• Excellent presentation, reporting and communication skills, able to distil complex information, and offer strategic insight and robust challenge to colleagues from across ZSL.
• Highly developed planning, coordination, and project management skills, able to organise a substantial workload comprised of diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement impactful strategies in partnership with colleagues from various disciplines.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries, ideally in Africa.
• Proven track record of writing successful proposals to trusts, foundations and institutions.
• Experience of managing relationships with partners and donors.
• Experience of technical and financial report writing.
• Experience in designing, conducting and analysing social surveys would be an advantage
• Experience in community engagement work in a developing world, ideally African, context would be an advantage ;
• Demonstrable track-record in working with a wide range of teams – with a good understanding of diverse areas such as IT, health & safety, risk and procurement – able to apply knowledge to changing programming contexts.

Knowledge

• A working knowledge of the project cycle and project management tools.
• An understanding of current international and Africa specific biodiversity conservation issues would be highly desirable.

Style and approach

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in English and French, able to build effective relationships as part of multicultural, international team through a supportive, culturally-aware approach.
• Willingness to travel to project sites, as required.
• A commitment to ZSL’s values and mission to promote and achieve worldwide conservation for animals and their habitats.

EXCLUSIONS

Proposers will be excluded from this RFP if:

• they are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts, have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended business activities, are the subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations;
• they or persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a judgment of a competent authority which has the force of res judicata;
• they have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the Beneficiary(ies) can justify;
  • they have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the Beneficiary(ies) or those of the country where the contract is to be performed;
  • they are not in compliance with their obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established or with those of the country of the contracting authority or those of the country where the contract is to be performed.
  • they or persons having powers of representation, decision making or control over them have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering or any other illegal activity, where such illegal activity is detrimental to the EU's financial interests;
  • they are currently subject to an administrative penalty referred to in section 2.3.4 of the Practical Guide

Proposers must certify below that they are not in one or more of the situations listed above.

Do you confirm that you are not in one or more of the situations listed above?

Yes/No