Background

Wetlands International is dedicated to safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people and nature. We are driven by the knowledge that safeguarding and restoring wetlands is urgent and vital for water security, biodiversity, climate regulation, sustainable development and human health. Our global not-for-profit network of 20 independent offices is governed by a Supervisory Council and a Board of the Association of 35 national government and non-governmental organization members. We bring knowledge into policy and practice, connect local actions in 100 countries to make a global difference, we catalyze actions that support those that use or depend on wetlands, and we are passionate about the positive change we make for people and nature. See our website (www.wetlands.org) for more information on the values, strategies and policies that guide our work.

Wetlands International – Tanzania Country Program

Since 2017, Wetlands International Eastern Africa has been active in Tanzania and is undertaking several projects in the Rufiji Delta, first of which is the Mangrove Capital Africa Programme. The overall goal of the programme is to safeguard and restore mangrove ecosystems in East and West Africa for the benefit of people and nature.

This is being achieved through the following building blocks:

ACT : implementing actions on the ground with local communities and practitioners;
KNOW: collating and disseminating information on status and trends of mangrove made available for better decision making;
LEARN: building practitioners’ capacity and raising awareness about the values of mangroves; and
PLAN: influencing public and private policies and development plans at local, national and regional levels.

To scale-up and complement the Mangrove Capital Africa Programme, Wetlands International together with WWF Germany and WWF Tanzania Country Office are implementing a Blue Action Fund supported project titled ‘Strengthening Marine Protected Area Management in Rufiji-Mafia-Kilwa Seascape, Tanzania’. The project aims to improve management effectiveness in the marine protected areas (MPAs) and associated buffer zones within the Rufiji-Mafia-Kilwa seascape to maintain and improve its ecological values and livelihoods.

The Opportunity

The Tanzania Country Program seeks a Programme Coordinator to represent Wetlands International in Tanzania and to lead and further assist in nurturing and developing our growing programme portfolio, guided by the Wetlands International Eastern Africa strategy. The Programme Coordinator, Tanzania, will be responsible for the successful programme and project implementation, provide strategic guidance and coaching to in-country staff, ensure uptake of the Wetlands International track record and knowledge base among staff, ensure maximum synergies between projects in same geographical locations, ensure sound operational and financial management and compliance with internal policies and procedures and directly contribute to implementation when needed. The Programme Coordinator will work closely with other staff to ensure effective delivery of the results and objectives.

The Programme Coordinator will be an experienced project and partnership manager. S/he will have a proven track record of multi-partner, multi-annual projects, strong environmental expertise and a good understanding of not only of the public and private sector but also non-governmental organizations complemented with a relevant network. S/he will have a good understanding of wetlands issues at all relevant scales and is well able to confidently profile Wetlands International as an authority in wetlands issues.

Responsibilities

Programme development

Identify needs and opportunities for further Programme development in line with the Wetlands International Eastern Africa/Tanzania Strategy and work with the Tanzania team, Regional Programme Officer and other staff in the network to develop new concept notes and mobilise resources.
Identify and establish partnerships with potential strategic partner organisations strategic for Programme delivery and growth.
Programme representation/ partnership development/ leadership
Manage and nurture the in-country partnerships with Partners, key stakeholders and government Institutions.
Network and liaise with all the partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining partnerships and strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector)
Maintain good working relationships with Tanzanian officials, particularly those within the ministries and other institutions
Represent Wetlands International and maintain good working relationships among the international and local NGO community in Tanzania, among community leadership structures and community-based organizations, and to visiting donor teams and other key contacts in Tanzania.
Encourage teamwork, openness, and honesty amongst partners.

Operational/Programme management

Responsible for the implementation of the projects in Tanzania including:

Line manages and provides strategic guidance to in-country Wetlands International staff including the integration of technical and financial project management.
Provide coaching and backstopping to staff where needed

Support staff to deliver strategic and operational work-plans for the implementation of projects in Tanzania
Oversee staff to ensure timely implementation and delivery of outputs, ensuring high quality, relevance and technical accuracy in accordance with project documents, annual work plans and procedures of Wetlands International
Lead on and ensure the collection, collation and reporting of all project data and documents, including timely submission of quality reports according to the agreed formats and deadline.

Financial management

Ensure the Program/Project budgets are utilised and monitored to maximise impact in accordance with all Wetlands International internal controls and donor agreements
Oversee timely expenditure of approved budgets, avoiding both under spending and overspending on budget line items

Communication

Maintain appropriate and effective communications with project staff in Wetlands International and in the region (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, South-Sudan), with project managers at Wetlands International Global office and with other stakeholders

Education

A minimum of a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management, Natural Resources Management, Ecology, Environmental Policy and Management or any other related disciplines

Experience

At least 10 years working experience in managing and coordinating natural resources management projects
Sound knowledge of Ecosystems Management and Restoration (specifically Mangroves), Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Integrated Water Resources Management
Experience working in projects operating in the science-policy interface including familiarity with the national and country water, wetlands, mangroves, biodiversity, integrated risk management processes (including climate change and disaster risk management) and associated policies and laws
Experience in working with different stakeholders including the government and in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder participatory processes
Experience in data collection on environmental and water management issues in the field and from desk studies
Experience in managing teams to deliver complex projects

Competencies

Ability to oversee programs and steer on results and outcomes
Ability to demonstrate project management skills including development of work plans, project financial management, monitoring and evaluation and effective reporting at a similar level
Strong leadership and people management skills and proven ability to ensure a professional and motivated team that delivers effectively against project timelines and set objectives
Strategic vision and strategic planning skills
Ability to communicate the benefits of biodiversity conservation, sustainable ecosystems and more specifically wetlands management to stakeholders from different sectors
Proven ability in fundraising and resource mobilisation
Good written and oral presentation skills and ability to communicate to a variety of audiences
Excellent command of English
Confidence to work alone and dynamism to explore new avenues of enquiry
Comprehensive computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Email, Internet packages

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