Project Coordinator – Blue Future (m/f)

Description

• WCS established a program in Mozambique in 2012 and its primary objectives are: i) increase the protection of Niassa National Reserve and improve the conservation status of its elephants through co-manage of the Reserve; ii) strengthen national-level protected area management by helping to improve policies and reinforcing the government’s ability to implement wildlife crime legislation through strategic engagement with government agencies in Maputo; iii) reconcile economic development with biodiversity conservation; iv) support conservation of key marine species and their habitats, contributing to climate resilience and the livelihoods of the coastal communities depending on services provided by coastal and marine ecosystems
• WCS has signed several agreements with the Government of Mozambique: i) an agreement with Administração Nacional para Áreas de Conservação (ANAC) to co-manage Niassa Special Reserve for a period of 20 years; a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Land and Environment to support the conservation, protection and sustainable management of Mozambique's biodiversity, including priority species, ecosystems and the services they provide, contributing to improving the livelihoods of local communities and reconciling sustainable economic development with biodiversity conservation; iii) a MoU with the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries to support the conservation, protection and sustainable management of marine biodiversity
• Through a partnership established between WCS, the Mozambican Oceanographic Institute (InOM), Ajuda de Desenvolvimento de Povo para Povo (ADPP), Department of Biological Sciences of the University Eduardo Mondlane (DCB-UEM), Associação para o Meio Ambiente (AMA), ProAzul trust fund and the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), Memba and Mossuril coastal Districts in the Nampula Province (northern Mozambique) were selected for the development and implementation of an innovative Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project, focused on protection and improved management of priority coastal ecosystems, benefiting the communities which depend on the services they provide. This stretch of coastline is very important for biodiversity and has been identified by different initiatives as an area needing protection. It is also an area that has been overfished, with many fishers migrating to the north and south, increasing the fishing pressure in the protected areas of Quirimbas National Park (QNP) and Primeiras and Segundas Environmental Protection Area (PSEPA.) Some of the main drivers of threats in this area include high poverty rates and lack of opportunities for local communities
• The project is called “Building a Blue Future for Ecosystems and People on the East African Coast - Construindo um Futuro Azul para Ecossistemas e Pessoas na Costa Leste Africana” (BBFEP), and is mainly funded by the Blue Action Fund with co-funding from several other donors such as Oceans 5, Margaret A. Cargill Philantropies (MACP), among others. The project aims to achieve the following results and products:
• Outcome 1. Improved resilience of climate-relevant ecosystems through increased protection and management
• Output 1. Improved resources, instruments and capacities for the management and sustainable use of a Marine Protected Area
• Output 2. Degraded coastal ecosystems, particularly relevant to climate change adaptation, rehabilitated
• Outcome 2. Improved resilience and enhanced livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities
• Output 3. Promoting climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods
• Output 4. Improved knowledge, expertise and capacity of relevant national agencies to use EbA approaches for climate resilient coastal zone management
• In this context, WCS is now seeking a full-time Project Coordinator to lead implementation of the BBFEP project
• Under the supervision of the Country Director and the Mozambican Marine Program Director, the Project Coordinator has the responsibility for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all activities. The Project Coordinator must guarantee compliance with the full proposal document, associated annexes, financial proposal, workplan, Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and the Security Management System (SMS), as well as with the different project donors’ requirements. The holder of this position will manage the internal project team and oversee the project partner’s teams, guaranteeing full coordination between the partners, National, Provincial and District authorities and other conservation partners working in the area, which are not members of the project team. The project coordinator will also make sure the project’s steering committee meets annually and is aware of project’s progress. This position will be based in Nacala, where WCS’s project office is located, and will travel regularly to Memba and Mossuril Districts. Regular. Trips to Maputo are also expected with some frequency
• Reports to: Country Director; Marine Program Director
• Country Program/Sector: Mozambique, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean Region (EAMWIO)
• Internal liaison: WCS Mozambique Marine Program Director, WCS Mozambique Financial Manager, Environmental and Social Management System and Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, Projects Assistants, Administrative and Financial Assistant
• Expected travel: Approximately 50% as required within the Nampula Province (especially in the Districts of Mossuril, Memba and Nacala), Maputo and other regions of the country when necessary

Duties

Coordination and supervision of project activities according to the agreed workplan and budget

• Organization of project’s inception meetings and essential training to team members (WCS staff, subgrantees, any relevant subcontractors and authorities)
• Support WCS’s HR and admin staff to establish the project office in Nacala and maintain it fully operational throughout project’s implementation
• Technical and financial planning of activities in collaboration with WCS Marine Program Director, team members and external partners in line with annual work plans
• Coordinate workplans with sub grantees and pre-approved subcontractors, liaising with them regularly and overseeing the implementation of their activities and development of agreed outputs/deliverables
• Organization of regular meetings and calls between key WCS team members and partners to discuss project implementation planning and issues
• Establishment of the project’s Steering Committee (SC), organization of its annual meetings and maintain a regular flow of information with the SC members
• Supervision of activities implemented on-site including training and support to staff working on the project (WCS, subgrantees and main subcontractors), and field visits to supervise activities and resolve issues as they arise
• Technical and financial monitoring of implemented activities and adoption of corrective action as needed to ensure adherence to workplan and budget
• Support to logistical arrangements for smooth implementation of activities including mission planning for staff, and organization of visits of partners, Government and donors
• Close communication and collaboration with supervisors of staff engaged in project activities (Mozambican Marine Program Director, Country Director, Financial Manager, etc.) to ensure smooth and coordinated work planning
• Reporting to the Supervisors of any problems encountered so as to agree on solutions

Coordination of reporting for project activities

• Coordination and submission of timely progress (semi-annual) and annual technical and financial reporting, as well as final reporting to meet donor requirements
• Development and submission of updated workplans
• Coordination of quarterly internal technical and financial reviews to measure financial progress and achievement of required milestones
• In consultation with WCS’s Country Director, Marine Program Director and Budget Manager, provide communication, reporting and administrative requirements to project’s donors
• Support the financial manager on the auditing process that will be carried out to develop audit reports

Contribution to communications activities and presentation of project

• Work with partners to develop a communication and outreach strategy to increase awareness of the project, ensuring its dissemination in relevant media according to the donor requirements
• Preparation, in consultation with country program and donors, of content for social media or other forms of communications and visibility
• Preparation of information related to project activities for periodic news
• Coordinate external communications for outreach and capacity-building with teams and partners, including website management, organization of webinars, participation in public events and other online and physical outreach and engagement with a range of government, industry, civil society stakeholders and local conservation partners with projects in the region
• Engage and coordinate with other organizations and projects, working on similar initiatives, where such liaison will contribute to the achievement of project objectives
• Coordinate the development of a repository for documents that is accessible to all partners
• As planned and necessary, participate in international, regional and national workshops, seminars and meetings to represent the project as part of WCS’s overall marine strategy in Mozambique and the WIO region

Compliance Management

• Work with country financial manager and marine program director to ensure and track full compliance with WCS’s and donor requirements, (financial, administrative, procurement, intellectual property, publications, branding, etc.) according to the grant agreement, grant procedures and implementation manuals (including Green Climate Fund specific rules) in the accomplishment of the project’s tasks
• Work with country financial manager to perform grant data analysis on a monthly basis (budget to actuals variance reports, expenses & revenue, remaining balances) and share it, the Marine Program Director, the Budget Manager, and the Country Director
• Work with country financial manager and marine program director on updating/adjusting financial tools/procedures and systems to improve project’s financial operation efficiency
• Support the Finance team to ensure that financial reports are in line with donor templates and requirements and delivered within schedule
• Work with WCS’s HR and admin staff to coordinate the procurement process for all subcontractors that have not been pre-approved by Blue Action Fund according to WCS and donor requirements
• Work with country financial manager and marine program director to prepare sub‐grant agreements and sub-contracts, using the applicable templates that are in line with the donor guidance
• Work with country financial manager and marine program director to review all sub-grant agreements and sub-contracts, ensuring its compliance, including budget/contract monitoring and capacity building efforts to sub grantees/contractors, to ensure highest standards of financial integrity and technical compliance are followed
• Work with country financial manager and marine program director to maintain and monitor a contracts/agreements database for the project (agreements with subgrantees and contracts with subcontractors as well as any MoUs to be established throughout project implementation. with partners, consultants, sub grantees etc.)
• Supervise and work with the ESMS and M&E Manager to guarantee the diligent implementation of the project’s Environmental & Social (E&S) safeguards and monitoring of the E&S performance of the project, including regular reporting, coordinating with the country marine program director and the global ESMS specialist for any updates that are considered necessary
• Other:
• Represent WCS in a fit and appropriate manner
• Any other relevant task requested by the Supervisors

Requisites

• The successful candidate must be experienced in project management, with focus on marine/coastal conservation and promotion of social support and environmentally sustainable livelihoods among local communities
• She/He should have a leading profile, actively liaising with the team and partners, and have excellent written and oral communication skills in Portuguese, English, and, if possible, eMakuwa
• Must be able to actively plan activities in advance, well organized, self-motivated, autonomous, dynamic, resourceful, methodical, effective and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done, with strong attention to detail
• Must be able to work on multiple tasks at multiple levels and switch between them; must have background and excellent capacity in foreseeing and planning around obstacles
• The successful candidate should have:
• Minimum of a Post-graduation or Master degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, or other equivalent subject
• Proven large management experience of complex development projects or programs in developing country context, preferentially in Mozambique (at least 10+ years)
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant and contract compliance, with European Government Agencies/Donors and/or U.S. Government Agencies/Donors
• Proven management skills, including budget and time management, solution-oriented with strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Highly organized, planning-oriented, fast learner, and willingness to continuous learning
• Proven skills in managing multi-cultural project teams, consultants and an ability to work across different stakeholder groups to achieve effective project delivery
• Proven excellent inter-personal and communication skills, mature and capable of building efficient and effective communication with different parties, i.e. fellow co-workers, supervisors, senior & program manager(s), grantees/subcontractors, auditors, conservation partners, government partners, etc.
• Good interpersonal and team working skills, showing the ability to understand the team’s needs and Her/His role on supporting the team to achieve the institutional objectives
• High motivation and skills to create capacity and to share knowledge with co-workers and partners
• Proven history of engaging with government during project implementation in Mozambique
• Ability to work consistently, with energy and positivity and constructive attitudes
• Strong sense of responsibility, ability to perform effectively under time pressure, to define priorities and to meet deadlines
• Solid computer skills with respect to e-communication and MS Office Tools or equivalent
• A very high level of integrity, honesty, and responsibility
• Experience working and living in remote locations in developing countries and ability to deal with basic living conditions
• Ability to travel frequently
• Excellent, fluent spoken and written Portuguese and English. Ability to communicate in eMakuwa will be an advantage

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Indicate the source of this job post: emprego.co.mz
• WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value
• WCS provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. WCS does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations

How to Apply

1. Documentation

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae

2. Application

• Send your Documentation to wcsmozambique@wcs.org with the Subject line “Blue Future”