Lead role in the development and implementation of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme

• Take a lead role in the development of the Regional Forest Conservation and Congo Basin Programme through providing vision and guidance in developing a well-defined strategic focus in the short, medium and long term, ensuring:
- effective and institutionally aligned programming and project implementation.
- systematic monitoring and evaluation of on-going programmatic activities, and.
- coherent and consistent communication of lessons learnt to key decision-makers within the region.
• Ensure an agile Programme Planning and Monitoring.
• Provide technical advice, guidance and support on forest conservation and restoration along with forest-based livelihoods to Project Offices and/or Country Offices and act as the focal point for the forest conservation and FLR related activities particularly with Members, Commissions, partners and other IUCN component programmes as required;
• Coordinate the development, analysis and dissemination of forest conservation policy relevant to the Region and other networks in the most effective way;
• As a leading member of IUCN’s “Global Forest Team”, represent and articulate regional perspectives in the identification of global priorities and ensure full regional participation in the development of new, jointly programmed, global forest initiatives;
• Capitalize and disseminate lessons learnt from programmes and projects as well as those learnt from partners and colleagues, programme management and oversight.
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Lead role in technical and financial management of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme

• Ensure the sound technical and financial management of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme.
• Oversee the development and implementation of annual budgets and work plans and provide a timely progress report of the programme financial and technical activities in accordance with IUCN’s practices;
• Ensure the overall quality assurance of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion portfolio.
• Ensure implementation of and compliance with IUCN and donor policies, standards and procedures.
• Provide, where needed in the region, guidance and support to the development and implementation of other IUCN cross cutting initiatives.

Partnership and Programme Development

• Develop and maintain appropriate collaboration and partnerships with relevant organizations on forest conservation and FLR issues of mutual interest and ensure meaningful engagement of local IUCN members in the implementation of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion portfolio.
• Lead fundraising for the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme through development of proposals, maintaining good relationships with donor and funding agencies so as to ensure the financial viability of the programme.
• Work closely with IUCN Commissions, Country Offices, Project Offices and other thematic programmes to develop and maintain an appropriate project portfolio and funding for implementation of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme.
• Participate in joint planning, assessment and communication activities of the Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme and facilitate the development of joint programmes with members and partners.
• Contribute to the establishment of a framework for collaboration with Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion stakeholders and contribute to positioning IUCN in the Congo Basin Ecoregion through initiatives and program development.

Forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion Programme representation and visibility

• Ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant regional and international fora and negotiations on programme of work related to forest and FLR issues and Congo Basin landscape conservation as well.
• Facilitate discussions and dialogue on relevant forest conservation emerging issues to position IUCN in the region as a reference in forest conservation and FLR.

Team and staff management and supervision

• Supervise staff and lead capacity development on issues related to forest conservation in component programmes.
• Work with colleagues in and beyond the Region and forest and Congo Basin Ecoregion issues to ensure that the groups functions as an integrated team, that there is coherence and consistency in the policy statements, and a high quality of technical and policy advice is given to field programmes and projects.

Other responsibilities

• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.