SENIOR PROJECT DIRECTOR
WCS in MOZAMBIQUE, NIASSA RESERVE
About the position:
This position will lead the WCS program in Niassa National Reserve (NNR) in northern Mozambique, in close cooperation with our co-management partner, the Government of Mozambique (GoM), through the Reserve Warden. The Project Director also takes on the responsibilities of the Niassa Reserve Manager, effectively the COO of NNR. Together, the Warden and the Project Director/Reserve Manager must lead a dynamic team to implement strategies and plans to secure NNR for the long term, and ensure the sustainable use of the Reserve’s natural resources.
Location: The position is permanently based at the head-quarters in a remote location in NNR (NNR is the size of Denmark, twice the size of Wales, New Jersey state or Kruger National Park)
Reporting to: The WCS Country Director, based in Maputo
Start date: July 2014
Job Profile:
The Project Director/Reserve Manager will be responsible for operational and strategic leadership, together with the Reserve Warden, for all aspects of reserve management including: developing a cohesive and motivated multi-cultural team, building and implementing management and operations systems, managing >100 staff the majority of whom only speak Portuguese and Swahili, and facilitating the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic planning in the Reserve. In addition, the Project Director has individual responsibility to WCS for executive management duties: working with the WCS Country Director to develop strong government relations, contributing to fundraising efforts, and contributing to setting the strategic direction and protected area management priorities of WCS Mozambique.
Specific responsibilities include:
•Develop and implement policies, procedures, processes and systems that improve the operational effectiveness of NNR such that strategies and plans maximise conservation impact
•Build and maintain positive relations with the tourism operators, communities, and other key NNR stakeholders, and support the Warden to maintain positive relations with local government
•Ensure the success of NNR activities and team performance in reaching quarterly and annual goals, coordinate the preparation and implementation of annual work plans and budgets, and ensure the progress reporting to relevant parties• Build a cohesive and motivated multi-cultural team (> 100 full-time employees). Ensure proper management of all HR duties and processes, including recruitment, staff management, internal communications, and
effectively resolve team management issues
•Implement a risk management system, and ensure that all identified mitigation actions are undertaken
•Oversee financial planning and reporting for NNR, financial compliance, and the management of NNR assets and stock
•Overall responsibility for all aircraft operations, ensuring appropriate use, effective risk management and effective
implementation of related strategies and plans.
WCS in MOZAMBIQUE, NIASSA RESERVE
About the position:
This position will lead the WCS program in Niassa National Reserve (NNR) in northern Mozambique, in close cooperation with our co-management partner, the Government of Mozambique (GoM), through the Reserve Warden. The Project Director also takes on the responsibilities of the Niassa Reserve Manager, effectively the COO of NNR. Together, the Warden and the Project Director/Reserve Manager must lead a dynamic team to implement strategies and plans to secure NNR for the long term, and ensure the sustainable use of the Reserve’s natural resources.
Location: The position is permanently based at the head-quarters in a remote location in NNR (NNR is the size of Denmark, twice the size of Wales, New Jersey state or Kruger National Park)
Reporting to: The WCS Country Director, based in Maputo
Start date: July 2014
Job Profile:
The Project Director/Reserve Manager will be responsible for operational and strategic leadership, together with the Reserve Warden, for all aspects of reserve management including: developing a cohesive and motivated multi-cultural team, building and implementing management and operations systems, managing >100 staff the majority of whom only speak Portuguese and Swahili, and facilitating the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic planning in the Reserve. In addition, the Project Director has individual responsibility to WCS for executive management duties: working with the WCS Country Director to develop strong government relations, contributing to fundraising efforts, and contributing to setting the strategic direction and protected area management priorities of WCS Mozambique.
Specific responsibilities include:
•Develop and implement policies, procedures, processes and systems that improve the operational effectiveness of NNR such that strategies and plans maximise conservation impact
•Build and maintain positive relations with the tourism operators, communities, and other key NNR stakeholders, and support the Warden to maintain positive relations with local government
•Ensure the success of NNR activities and team performance in reaching quarterly and annual goals, coordinate the preparation and implementation of annual work plans and budgets, and ensure the progress reporting to relevant parties• Build a cohesive and motivated multi-cultural team (> 100 full-time employees). Ensure proper management of all HR duties and processes, including recruitment, staff management, internal communications, and
effectively resolve team management issues
•Implement a risk management system, and ensure that all identified mitigation actions are undertaken
•Oversee financial planning and reporting for NNR, financial compliance, and the management of NNR assets and stock
•Overall responsibility for all aircraft operations, ensuring appropriate use, effective risk management and effective
implementation of related strategies and plans.
Competences and Experience:
Required:
•Ten years experience leading, developing, and managing programs/large projects, including work experience in more than one African country
•Strong team leadership experience, including a proven ability to motivate, set objectives and manage the performance of a multidisciplinary team
•Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to local culture
•Advanced university degree in an appropriate field
•Ability to foster an environment of productivity and professional growth, with a commitment to working professionally and collegially with staff and all partner organisations
•Skilled at building consensus with all partners, including government, the private sector, community organisations, and WCS senior management
Required:
•Ten years experience leading, developing, and managing programs/large projects, including work experience in more than one African country
•Strong team leadership experience, including a proven ability to motivate, set objectives and manage the performance of a multidisciplinary team
•Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to local culture
•Advanced university degree in an appropriate field
•Ability to foster an environment of productivity and professional growth, with a commitment to working professionally and collegially with staff and all partner organisations
•Skilled at building consensus with all partners, including government, the private sector, community organisations, and WCS senior management
•Knowledge of and experience with monitoring and evaluation of programs/projects
•Flexibility, optimism, good humour, passion for excellence, self-motivated to achieve a collective purpose
Desired:
•Proficiency in Portuguese, Spanish and/or Swahili
•Knowledge of current trends in conservation and natural resource management, and a proven ability of applying this knowledge to set and achieve conservation targets
•Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of the environment and conservation in Mozambique, as well as relevant policy issues
•Excellent public speaking, presentation and written/oral communication skills
•Proven experience living and working in a remote field camp
Application:
Please apply on line using the following link:https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWebHost/searchopenings.aspx?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168. Please select “Global Conservation Full-Time” once you are on the site. In addition to applying on-line, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter (addressing the points below) to: Alastair Nelson, Country Director, WCS Mozambique, anelson@wcs.org, and cc. jsalbo@wcs.org by Friday 2 May 2014. Please start the email title with ‘NNR Project Director’.
The cover letter should to address the following:
•Explain your approach and methods to building the capabilities of individuals and teams
•Explain your approach and methods to building and maintaining motivation within a team in a challenging environment
•Explain the what you see as the essential components of effective project management, and provide examples of the most useful tools you regularly use within your projects
Strong applications will also discuss how your experience will contribute to mitigating the threats to Niassa Reserve, and how this will allow you to help establish long-term systems for the conservation and management of the Reserve.
•Flexibility, optimism, good humour, passion for excellence, self-motivated to achieve a collective purpose
Desired:
•Proficiency in Portuguese, Spanish and/or Swahili
•Knowledge of current trends in conservation and natural resource management, and a proven ability of applying this knowledge to set and achieve conservation targets
•Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of the environment and conservation in Mozambique, as well as relevant policy issues
•Excellent public speaking, presentation and written/oral communication skills
•Proven experience living and working in a remote field camp
Application:
Please apply on line using the following link:https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWebHost/searchopenings.aspx?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168. Please select “Global Conservation Full-Time” once you are on the site. In addition to applying on-line, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter (addressing the points below) to: Alastair Nelson, Country Director, WCS Mozambique, anelson@wcs.org, and cc. jsalbo@wcs.org by Friday 2 May 2014. Please start the email title with ‘NNR Project Director’.
The cover letter should to address the following:
•Explain your approach and methods to building the capabilities of individuals and teams
•Explain your approach and methods to building and maintaining motivation within a team in a challenging environment
•Explain the what you see as the essential components of effective project management, and provide examples of the most useful tools you regularly use within your projects
Strong applications will also discuss how your experience will contribute to mitigating the threats to Niassa Reserve, and how this will allow you to help establish long-term systems for the conservation and management of the Reserve.
