MAJOR DUTIES

The Programme Officer will support the effective implementation, monitoring and coordination of the SOS Lemurs Phase II initiative in Madagascar. The role will ensure close follow-up with an assigned portfolio of SOS Lemurs grants, support field monitoring and reporting, contribute to data collection and learning, and facilitate coordination between Madagascar-based partners and the SOS Lemurs Secretariat.
The position is part of a Madagascar-based programme team. Responsibilities will be coordinated with the other Programme Officer to ensure consistent support across the SOS Lemurs portfolio.

The position will also contribute, as relevant, to other species conservation initiatives and project development efforts led by the Species Conservation Action Team in Madagascar.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

I. Grant and portfolio coordination
• Manage the day-to-day administration of an assigned portfolio of SOS Lemurs Phase II grants in Madagascar, in close coordination with the Senior Grants Officer.
• Liaise regularly with grantees to follow progress, identify implementation challenges, and support timely delivery of activities, reports and deliverables.
• Review grantee technical reports, monitoring plans and supporting documentation, and provide consolidated feedback.
• Maintain and update project management tools (project trackers) and other portfolio monitoring documents.
• Support grant agreement processes, amendments, reporting follow-up in line with IUCN SOS procedures.
• Contribute to calls for proposals and/or direct award processes, including application review and grant selection, as needed.
• Support the preparation of donor progress reports by consolidating grantee information, results and examples from the field.

II. Field monitoring and day-to-day grantee support
• Plan and conduct project monitoring missions to SOS Lemurs-funded sites, and prepare mission reports accordingly.
• Support grantees in understanding and applying SOS Lemurs requirements, including reporting, indicators, ESMS, communications and visibility.
• Provide practical guidance to grantees and escalate issues requiring HQ decision-making.

III. Monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact data
• Support the collection, verification and consolidation of grant-level monitoring data.
• Contribute to the SOS Lemurs monitoring and evaluation framework, indicator tracking tools and programme dashboards.
• Support the collation of impact data and lessons learned for donor reporting, evaluations, communications and learning products.
• Contribute to mid-term and final evaluation processes by supporting document preparation, grantee coordination, field logistics and follow-up.
• Help identify good practices and learning across the portfolio.

IV. Capacity-building, workshops and knowledge exchange
• Support the planning and delivery of capacity-building activities for SOS Lemurs grantees, including workshops, webinars and peer-learning activities.
• Provide operational and logistical support for in-country events and technical workshops, including preparation of agendas, materials, participant follow-up and documentation of key lessons.
• Support knowledge exchange between grantees and relevant technical partners.

V. Stakeholder engagement, visibility and programme development
• Support regular communication with relevant Madagascar-based stakeholders, including grantees, local partners, IUCN Members, technical experts and national institutions, as agreed with the line manager.
• Support links between SOS Lemurs activities and relevant national biodiversity priorities, policies and initiatives.
• Maintain regular coordination with the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO).
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, visibility and alignment with other conservation initiatives in Madagascar.
• Contribute technical inputs, field information, photos, stories and data for communication products highlighting SOS Lemurs’ achievements and lessons learned.
• Represent IUCN and SOS Lemurs at relevant national and international events;
• Support the identification of partnership or project development opportunities related to species conservation in Madagascar and contribute inputs to project concepts or proposals where relevant.
• Carry out other relevant tasks at the request of and in agreement with the line manager.