Position Title: Project Manager / Catchment Management Expert

Reports to: WWF Zambia Country Office and MoGEE/EMD-HQ Project Focal Points

Location:  Mafinga District, Muchinga Province, Zambia

Position Type: Full time position for 2 years with possibility of extension

Project Duration: 5 years (2022 – 2026)

Background

Consistent with the country’s vision 2030, National Development Plans, National Policy on Environment (2007), and other relevant environmental policies, strategies and plans, the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Environmental Management Department under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MoGEE) is promoting an integrated landscape approach for the Luangwa catchment area with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). World Wildlife Fund Inc. (WWF) was designated by GRZ as the GEF Implementing Agency for Zambia’s project: Sustainable Luangwa: Securing Luangwa’s water resources for shared socioeconomic and environmental benefits through integrated catchment management. The project’s objective is to reduce forest and land degradation of the Luangwa Upper Sub-catchment for enhanced protection of water resources, biodiversity and associated community livelihoods and has three key components: 1) Protected area management and establishment in the Luangwa headwaters; 2) Community management of the upper Luangwa Sub-Catchment (Mafinga District); and 3) Knowledge management and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). The project will be implemented over a 60-month timeframe starting in July2022.

Major Function

The Project Manager / Catchment Management Expert will supervise staff in the Project Management Unit (PMU), coordinate with project partners and provide day-to-day management of the project. The Project Manager will report to the WWF Zambia and MoGEE/EMD-HQ Project Focal Points. The PM will lead the PMU and coordinate project management, while this position will also be directly responsible for developing specified technical outputs under Components 1, 2 and 3 of the Project.

Responsibilities

1. Project Management:

• Provide day-to-day management, monitoring and evaluation of project activities and results as outlined in the ProDoc, Grant Agreement, and Annual Work Plan and Budget to achieve the project objective and targets in the Results Framework
• Develop the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for each project year, in collaboration with all project sub-grantees and partners, for approval by the NSC and no-objection from the WWF-GEF Agency
• Provide oversight and monitoring of procurement and expenditure in line with the AWPB
• Review progress of work plan and monitoring plan
• Hold regular meetings with the partners and other stakeholders involved in each outcome
• Manage the workflow for the National Steering Committee (NSC)
• Lead annual reflection workshops to identify lessons learned and propose potential changes for adaptive management to ensure project results and indicator targets are reached
• Responsible for organization of project-level workshops/meetings
• Contribute to the ongoing maintenance and updates of project outcomes on the MoGEE and WWF Zambia Country Office websites
• Represent the project and provide support for project supervisions for internal and external reviews/evaluations.

2. Staff management:

• Supervise the PMU staff including the Community Engagement and Gender Officer, Safeguards and M&E Learning Officer, Grants Accountant, and any directly recruited staff or consultants.
• Prepare TORs to recruit consultants, staff and sub-grantees in consultation with and for no-objection from WWF GEF Agency.

3. Reporting:

• Oversee the submission of internal activity reports to the MoGEE/EMD-HQ and WWF Zambia Project Focal Points.
• Formulate semi-annual Project Progress Reports and ensure timely delivery to the to the MoGEE/EMD-HQ and WWF Zambia Project Focal Points prior to submission to WWF GEF Agency
• Oversee the preparation and disbursement of sub-grants.
• Oversee development of quarterly financial reports and ensure timely delivery to the to the MoGEE/EMD-HQ and WWF Zambia Project Focal Points prior to submission to WWF GEF Agency
• Ensure co-finance reporting on a yearly basis.

4. Quality Assurance:

• Provide quality assurance for project activities, including in sub-grants and consultancies.
• Review reports and other products from consultants, staff, and sub-grantees to ensure quality.
• Ensure implementation in line with the GRZ, GEF and WWF standards and policies, including Safeguards standards.

5. Partnerships:

• Coordinate with project partners to ensure co-financing commitments are realized
• Engage additional partners with co-financing potential
• Ensure smooth coordination and communication among all project partners, and stakeholders
• Manage stakeholder engagement throughout the project duration with support from the Community Engagement and Gender Officer for monitoring/tracking implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan
• Represent the project, as needed, at various meetings and workshops
• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the National steering committee, Government and WWF Zambia

The PM/Catchment Management Expert will provide technical inputs and coordination for all Outputs under all the three Components on sustainable catchment management, including on landscape, NFR and WRPA planning, sustainable land management, community forestry and value chain development, the communication and replication of the project approach through knowledge management.

Duties and responsibilities: Delivery of technical outputs (Component 1):

Under this Component the PM/ Catchment Management Expert will be responsible for providing technical inputs and guidance for the delivery of Outputs 1.1.1-1.1.4, 1.2.1), and supporting consultants and sub-grantees including the following:

• Lead the development and management of a team of technical staff and community members to conduct boundary identification and demarcation, patrolling and outreach, for Mafinga Hills NFR (Output 1.1.1);
• Lead the participatory development process for the management plan for Mafinga Hills NFR and the development of methodologies for carrying out forest, biodiversity and socio-economic assessments (Output 1.1.2);
• Lead the identification of areas affected by habitat degradation and participatory development and implementation of a participatory action plan for assisted regeneration and grassland rehabilitation with support from communities (Output 1.1.3);
• Lead the development of capacity for project field staff through training activities in key skills, and guide the provision of training activities for local communities involved in CBNRM and the procurement and distribution of equipment needs for operational management of Mafinga Hills NFR and surrounding areas (Output 1.1.4);
• Facilitate the participatory process for the development of a WRPA for the headwaters of the Luangwa River, including the drafting and submission of a WRPA protection plan taking into consideration recommendations from Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and gender action plan (Output 1.2.1)

Duties and responsibilities: Delivery of technical outputs (Component 2):

Under this Component the PM/ Catchment Management Expert will be responsible for providing technical inputs and guidance for the delivery of Outputs 2.1.1-2.1.4), and supporting consultants and sub-grantees including the following:

• Lead the participatory process that culminates in mutual consent of the participatory landscape management plans (PLMPs) and community conservation agreements required to implement a community-led approach towards sustainable land and forest management in the Upper Luangwa Sub-catchment outside existing protected areas. This will involve a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) / participatory land use planning (PLUP) process of awareness raising, natural resource assessment and mapping, and planning that engages all affected communities including traditional leaders and relevant government agencies (Output 2.1.1);
• Facilitate the implementation of Climate-resilient Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices and their support by extension services from national experts and experienced service providers, as well as the provision of improved market linkages for agricultural products through existing social enterprises (Output 2.1.2);
• Lead the assessment of areas for assisted natural regeneration and woodlot development where forest resources have been significantly impacted by fuelwood collection and fires, guide the identification and training of suitable communities in the skills required, and the participatory preparation of an implementation and monitoring plan (Output 2.1.3);
• Facilitate the participatory process for the establishment of new community forestry areas, including consultations, assessment of user rights, drafting of key documentation, and benefit-sharing arrangements. Guide project support for selected communities to follow steps in this procedure, leading to recognition as Community Forest Management Groups (CFMG), development of a Management Plan for each community forest area, signing of Community Forest Management Agreements, and subsequent management of community forest areas (Output 2.1.4).

Duties and responsibilities: Delivery of technical outputs (Component 3):

Under this Component the PM/ Catchment Management Expert will be responsible for providing technical inputs and guidance for the delivery of Output 3.2.1, and supporting consultants and sub-grantees including the following:

• Guide implementation of the project M&E plan including development of baseline report, project progress reports, results framework, midterm evaluation and terminal evaluation in order to apply adaptive management (Output 3.2.1).

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Integrated Water Resources Management or equivalent.
• A candidate must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in the above-mentioned fields or equivalent.
• Qualification in Project Management will be an added advantage.
• At least 8 years’ combined experience in the coordination, management and/or execution of complex international and multi-lateral funded projects, especially for GEF
• At least 5 years’ experience of sustainable catchment / watershed management including sustainable land and forest management and rural development
• Excellent consultation, facilitation, negotiation, analytical, management and presentation skills
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills in English; ability to communicate in local languages (Nyika and Lambya) an advantage
• Experience of leading a team of staff and coordinating sub-grant partners
• Experience of negotiating and coordinating with stakeholders at all levels including government officials, donors, project partners, local communities, traditional leaders, civil society organizations and multi-lateral organizations
• Adaptive management skills
• Knowledge of WWF Project and Programme Management Standards will be an added advantage
• Experience in delivering technical and financial reporting to donor agencies on large projects
• Technical experience and knowledge of sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and sustainable catchment management
• Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search.
• Experience working in a remote rural area will be an added advantage.
• Clean valid driver’s license

Job application procedure