BIODEV2030 Project Officer Full Time NEW

Under the supervision of the WWF Congo Conservation Director, the Project Officer’s main mission is to coordinate and manage the BIODEV2030 phase II project and its activities. He/she will ensure that the strategy of this second phase of the BIODEV2030 project is adapted to the national context, in close collaboration with the National CBD Focal Point of the Ministry in charge of the Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin (MEDDBC). Finally, he/she will establish and maintain high-level relations with key stakeholders (donor, government, sectoral ministries, companies, CSOs, consultants, etc.) whose involvement is essential. Where necessary, the assignment will involve traveling within the country to meet with the various players at national and territorial level, and to run workshops.

Main duties and responsibilities :

⮚ Technical aspects :

● Manage and coordinate the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the BIODEV2030 phase II project in the Republic of Congo.

● During the start-up phase, facilitate the emergence of a consensus among stakeholders on the strategy and priorities for the 2nd phase (establishment, institutionalization and sustainability of a National Biodiversity Advisory Committee in Congo; analysis of the potential of innovative financing for biodiversity (biodiversity certificates and PES); capacity building of local stakeholders and valorization of the project’s results and key lessons).

● Create and/or maintain quality relationships with the relevant Ministries and with all stakeholders (territorial authorities, academics, private sector, CSOs including IUCN members, donors and other financial players, institutional partners, local communities and indigenous peoples, and project teams working on similar subjects, …) necessary for successful multi-stakeholder dialogue.

● Ensure the smooth running of the national and territorial multi-stakeholder platforms, by guaranteeing that exchanges are participatory, inclusive and based on science, and that stakeholders take ownership of them.

● Draft and co-construct with stakeholders in the territorial dialogue a project concept note on innovative financing on the scale of a pilot site.

● Contribute to the cross-cutting workstreams of the project led by the donor (feedback of indicator sheets, external capitalization, communication, webinars, etc.);

● Act as BIODEV2030’s ambassador to institutional and financial partners (such as FAO, IFAD, EU, World Bank, bilateral public development banks, UNDP, French Embassy and AFD) leading or financing projects presenting synergy opportunities, as well as to all financial players (such as development banks, commercial banks) to present and promote the results of national and territorial dialogues;

● Contribute to advocacy for the adoption of biodiversity-friendly production practices in the country by developing and supporting the implementation of appropriate communication with communication teams;

⮚ Administrative, logistical and financial aspects

● Take responsibility for steering, administrative management of the project and reporting in compliance with the rules of WWF Congo, WWF France and the donor;

● Develop Terms of Reference for workshops, service providers and consultants to assist in the implementation of approved activities;

● To write the technical reports (or other required documents) relating to the Project (BIODEV2030) for which he/she is responsible according to the formats required by WWF France;

● Monitor the contracts of the partners, service providers, consultants and researchers for whom he/she is responsible;

● Facilitate field missions for internal and external stakeholders;

● Ensure the effective administrative and financial management of the project in coordination with the financial teams of the WWF-Congo and WWF-France offices; Ensure the effective maintenance and retention of project implementation records to facilitate the verification of resources and expenditures related to activities ;

● Prepare service requests and purchases as agreed in the work plan and budget;

● Ensure internal monthly reporting and actively participate in monthly meetings with WWF-France and any other related meetings as representative of the BIODEV2030 phase II initiative in the Republic of Congo;

● Be responsible for and contribute to the reporting to be submitted to the donor (technical and financial reporting), respecting internal validation deadlines and external contractual deadlines;

● In collaboration with WWF Congo’s communications manager, contribute to the project’s visibility through the development and dissemination of articles on the project’s results.

Qualifications and experience required:

● Master’s degree or postgraduate diploma in economics, agricultural/forestry economics, natural resource management, sustainable development or other related fields;

● At least eight (08) years’ experience working with public sector, CSO and private sector stakeholders in the field of conservation and/or sustainability, including significant project management experience;

● Extensive experience in mobilizing the public and private sectors for policy ;

● Very good ability to manage and coordinate international projects/programs;

● Ability to write policy briefs and summaries based on reports and studies;

● Knowledge of budget management and the requirements of major international donors; experience in managing projects financed by the Agence Française de Développement is a plus;

● Fluency in French (mandatory), with working knowledge of English (a plus) Skills and competencies required :

● A good overview of the legal and institutional framework for biodiversity in the Congo ;

● Proven experience in influencing and creating alliances, initiatives or platforms for change that leverage partners’ capabilities;

● Dynamic, proactive and enthusiastic;

● Budget management skills ;

● Excellent oral and written communication skills;

● Good negotiating and diplomatic skills;

● Demonstrated rigor and organizational skills;

● Good analytical and synthesis skills;

● Perfect command of basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, Excel, PPT, email);

● Strong team spirit and ability to use internal and external networks.

Tagged as: Congo, World Wide Fund For Nature