Jobs

WWF GUIANAS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title:    Country Manager, Suriname

Reports To:       Regional Representative, WWF Guianas

Supervises:        Forestry Officer, Suriname

                           Goldmining Pollution Abatement Officer, Suriname

                           Communication/Education Officer, Suriname

                           Regional Marine Coordinator

                           Marine Turtle Assistant

Location:           Paramaribo, Suriname

Date:                  1 April 2011

I.  Major Responsibility

Under the direction of the Regional Representative of WWF Guianas serves as the WWF Country Manager for Suriname. Assists the Regional Representative to represent WWF Guianas to agencies of the government of Suriname. In collaboration with the Regional Advisor and WWF Guianas technical Officers, responsible for the achievement of WWF results in Suriname.  Plans, directs and oversees activities, as defined in the project descriptions and approved workplans and budgets.  Oversees and supports project grantees.  Ensures activities are implemented in accordance with donor and grant agreements.  Ensures, as much as possible, that WWF activities complement the work of other conservation-oriented institutions working in Suriname.  Develops and maintains partnerships.  Facilitates exchange and synergy among stakeholders.  Communicates results.

II.  Major Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Country Program Oversight:  Plans, directs and oversees project activities in Suriname in accordance with the GSNRM and future projects. Develops work-plans and budgets for next Fiscal years.  Responsible for 6-monthly and annual Technical Progress reports for Suriname and ensures that projects are making progress toward their objectives.

2.      Technical Leadership:  Provides technical leadership in areas such as:  sustainable forest management, protected area establishment and management, freshwater conservation and management, species conservation and management, goldmining pollution abatement, institutional strengthening and training, and WWF grant procedures.

3.      Networking and Vision Development: Needs to be in contact with WWF US, WWF International, Amazone Network Initiative (ANI), Latin America Caribean (LAC), and other key partners of the WWF Global Network in order to develop a Vision and Program that is in line with the Global Program Framework (GPF)  and under the supervision of the Regional Representative of WWF Guianas.

4.      Funding Proposals:  Works with other staff to design projects and develop funding proposals with the aim to further develop and enhance the WWF Guianas program. These proposals need to be based on the 2011-2016 WWF Guianas Strategic Plan.

5.      Implementation:  Manages the WWF team in Suriname using a participatory, adaptive management approach.  Ensures that management systems are established, and oversees the administration of the projects.

6.      Grants:  Reviews proposals for grant funding submitted to WWF pertaining to Suriname, works with grantees to modify proposals if necessary, and make recommendations to the WWF Guianas Grants Review Committee.  Works closely with project implementers through regular meetings, field visits, and through other means of communication to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities.  Monitors grant execution ensuring activities are implemented as per approved work-plan and budget and in accordance with terms of grant agreements.  Reviews grantee reports, ensuring their accuracy and completeness.  Assists in the identification and assessment of issues and/or events that may impact project implementation and proposes appropriate actions to address them.

7.      Government relations: Maintains close relationships with all relevant Ministries in the field of WWF Guianas work in Suriname. These are currently the Ministry of NH, RGOB, RO, ATM and BuZa. Relationships with all agencies working for these Ministries must be supervised by the Country Manager.

8.      Collaboration:  Develops and maintains professional relationships with representatives of grantee organizations, government institutions and conservation organizations, and other key stakeholders in conservation.  Exchange of information and knowledge with WWF colleagues in Guyana and French Guyana as relevant.  Fosters exchange amongst grantees and ensures linkages and synergy between activities.

9.      Capacity Building:  Develops and implements a capacity building plan for key project participants.  This may include: (1) identifies appropriate, feasible training objectives for project counterpart(s) that can be achieved by the counterpart through participation in the project, on-the-job training, and training events, and (2) identifies and recommends means to strengthen administrative and management capabilities of key project collaborators.

10.  Finance and Admin:  With the direct support of the manager of finance and administration, develops project budgets for approval, and monitors expenditures against budgets.  Ensures compliance with WWF Field Operations Manual and WWF Guianas finance and administration procedures.  Determines material requirements and arranges for procurement of equipment.

11.  Human Resources:  In collaboration with the F&A Manager in Suriname, oversees the recruitment, selection, and hiring of WWF staff in Suriname.  Supervises staff and evaluates performance.

12.  Consultancies:  Works with other WWF staff and key stakeholders and partners to identify needs for short-term technical assistance, assists with the development of the terms of reference and the selection of consultants, and facilitates and oversees the work of consultants.

13.  Monitoring and Evaluation:  Contributes to developing a monitoring and evaluation system for the project.  Contributes to internal project reviews.

14.  Reporting:  Keeps supervisor and colleagues informed of developments and issues.  Prepares and submits technical progress reports to supervisor and colleagues in the WWF format.  Prepares other reports as needed or requested.  Must be willing to go often to undertake fieldtrips in Suriname and travel abroad to WWF workshops and meetings. Submits trip reports to supervisor and colleagues within one week of return from the field

15.  Communications:  Supervises the Communications Officer for the Suriname part and others in the continued development of the WWF Guianas communications strategy.  Actively contributes to the development of communication materials.  Assists in the implementation of campaigns to increase public awareness and understanding of conservation related issues.  Ensures the dissemination of communications materials.  Prepares and makes presentations on conservation related issues.

16.  Advocacy:  Under the guidance of the Regional Rep, works with the WWF Network and with partners to formulate WWF positions for Suriname and ensures these are communicated to the staff and relevant agencies in Suriname

17.  Workshops:  Assists in the planning and delivery of workshops.  As agreed to by supervisor, participates in relevant workshops conducted by other stakeholders.

18.  Professional Development:  Monitors new technical information, policy developments, and issues of relevance to WWF in Suriname and shares with others as needed.  Continues to maintain status and progress in professional field.

19.  Other Duties:  Carries out other position-related activities as required and plays an active role in the successful implementation of the WWF Guianas program. 

III.  Supervisory Responsibility

Directly supervises the Freshwater/PA Officer, Goldmining Pollution Abatement Officer, Forestry Officer, The Marine Turtle Assistant and the Regional Marine Coordinator.

IV. Working Relationships

Good working relationships, both internal and external, are fundamental to this position.

1. Internal:  Interacts frequently with colleagues of WWF Guianas and with staff of the WWF global network.  Maintains close working relationships with colleagues through regular exchange of information, joint planning exercises, and collaboration in the implementation of specific initiatives.

2. External:  Develops and maintains professional relationships with representatives of grantee organizations, relevant government agencies, other conservation organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.  Promotes, facilitates, and maintains regular communications with and among the project implementers.

V.  Qualifications

Ideal candidates will possess the following qualifications:

1. Knowledge:  Master of Science in economics, legal, natural resources management, environmental studies or a related field is required.  Must be familiar with issues relating to conservation in Suriname and affinity with conservation and sustainable development is required.

• Experience:  At least ten to Fifteen years (10-15 years) of field experience in Suriname (or abroad) in a management or university degree position.  Preference will be given to those candidates with experience in activities related to WWF's conservation program in the region.  Experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of conservation projects is an asset.

2.   Surinamese nationality (or at least origins from Suriname)

3. Skills and Abilities:  Must possess strong leadership and management skills.  Management skills must include skills in participatory and adaptive management approaches.  Excellent oral and written communication skills in Dutch and English and as well as skills in wring project proposals and technical progress reports.  Must possess a demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.  Strong interpersonal skills including flexibility, diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution as well as initiative and readiness to facilitate the work of others.  Ability to prioritize, initiate, and complete work with a minimum of supervision.  Must have working knowledge of basic Microsoft programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.