Project Technical Director

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is providing ~US$14.8 million to the Government of Angola for the project “Strengthen Management and Climate Change Resilience in Angola's Conservation Areas for Sustainable Development”, one of fifteen Child Projects under the Global Wildlife Program (GWP) Phase II. The project is financed through the GEF Trust Fund and the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and as such includes 13 outcomes related to climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, capacity development and knowledge management. These outcomes will be achieved within seven years and are distributed among four project components which include: strengthening the resilience of local communities to climate change; improving conservation area management and wildlife conservation; enhancing the technical and institutional capacity of climate change and conservation institutions, and; facilitating project monitoring, knowledge management and sharing of lessons learned.

Conservation International GEF Agency (CIGEF) is the Implementing Agency for this project.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Angola

A Project Technical Director (PTD) will be responsible for the technical delivery of the project and ensuring that the outcomes are being achieved. The role reports directly to the Project Executive Director. The project Technical Director supervises the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, the Safeguards Compliance officer and the Regional Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise, manage, and coordinate the implementation of project activities, in accordance with the Project Document, in order to achieve project outputs and outcomes in a timely manner.
• Lead the programmatic direction of the ecosystem-based adaptation approach by involving all relevant local, Provincial, and national stakeholders.
• Lead the coordination of project implementation and activities involving relevant line ministries, project site stakeholders, and Provincial administrations.
• Establish programmatic synergies with co-financing programmes and other related projects at the project site, Provincial and national stakeholders (e.g. Government, INGO, NGOs, etc.).
• In close collaboration with relevant institutions and stakeholders, prepare TORs for national, international consultants and additional executing partners.
• Assist in the identification, selection, and recruitment of staff, consultants, partners, and other experts as required.
• Supervise staff, consultants, and other experts hired by the project; and, review and sign off on technical reports, on-the-ground activities implemented, and other deliverables prepared by staff, consultants, partners, and other experts.
• Develop and facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system for the project to ensure information and analysis (including baselines) to inform annual project reports (PIRs).
• Ensure timely preparation of the detailed Annual Work Plan and Budget for approval by the Project Steering Committee (PSC), Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment (MCTA) and CI.
• In collaboration with the GoA/MCTA, organize PSC meetings and prepare PSC minutes in a timely manner
• Submit quarterly progress reports to the MCTA, PSC, and CI for approval.
• Submit annual GEF Project Implementation Reports (PIR), prepared in collaboration with MCTA, PSC, and CI.
• Provide technical support to the project, including the implementation of measures to address the challenges inherent in project implementation.
• Oversee, coordinate, and facilitate the work of the M&E Manager, Safeguards and Compliance Officer, Finance and Logistics Coordinator, Finance Grants and Contracts Officer, field officers and the technical support unit (including national and international experts).
• Participate in and facilitate the training activities supported by the project.
• Respond to partner requests.
• Ensure compliance with the directives of the PSC.
• Carry out regular field visits to all intervention sites for project activities.
• Together with relevant experts, develop biodiversity-compatible local adaptation plans for each of the two project sites.
• Capture climate change risk information generated through the project in existing MCTA databases (CC ENISA) to inform future climate change adaptation planning.
• Provide training to INBAC based on the training programme developed. Host at least one training workshop per year.
• Organize biodiversity conservation coordination meetings.
• Provide the necessary progress reports to the GWP.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• Supervise up to five employees.
• Manages an individual or program/project budget but decisions that bind or commit CI are approved by the immediate supervisor.
• Manage public or private funds, monitor results, and recommend follow-up action. Ensure compliance with donor agreements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Travel to project sites and other field locations as required.
• Comfortable working out of doors.
• Ability to work extended work hours to meet project deadlines.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in biology, environmental studies, natural resource management, or field related to the objectives of the project.
• 7 or more years of technical project implementation experience.
• 2 or more years of experience supervising and motivating others including multi-disciplinary teams.
• Direct project management experience, preferably in the conservation, NGO, advocacy, or related arena.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse works groups in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with written and oral Portuguese fluency required.
• Fluency in English is required.
• A record of success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raising funds.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.

Preferred

• Advanced degree preferred.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.