Senior Mangroves Officer (m/f)

Description

• Mozambique is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Critical forest, freshwater and marine land- and seascapes provide important socio-economic benefits to the communities who depend upon them directly, as well as to the national population more broadly. Yet these natural ‘assets’ are under extreme pressure. WWF Mozambique’s (MCO) vision is “a prosperous Mozambique built on thriving ecosystems and environmental citizenship.” This vision is intended to be achieved through a Country Strategy 2020-2030 that stablish three pillars: inclusive conservation of species and habitats, sustainable and equitable livelihoods and greening the footprint of economic development
• Six land and seascapes have been prioritized to be the focus of the vast majority of our conservation work. One of these priority areas is Zambezi Delta, which is a wetland of international importance, declared Ramsar Site in 2009 and that contains over 50% of the country's mangrove area. The estimated area of mangroves in the Zambezi Delta is about 37,000 ha. The remarkable ecosystem of the Zambezi Delta provides a range of basic services, including economic and social services for local people (provision of timber, protection against rising water levels, maintenance of biodiversity and a range of environmental services)
• WWF MCO has been active in the Zambezi Delta since 2003 and is starting a new project named “Organizing Nature-based Response and Solutions for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction (ECO DRR)” whose main objective is “Mangrove ecosystem are restored, sustainably managed more resilient and provide nature-based solutions to disaster risk reduction in Zambezi Delta.” WWF Mozambique therefore seeks to recruit a Senior Mangroves Officer to provide oversight, leadership and coordination for the effective and efficient implementation of the project. The position requires a resourceful individual, with wide-ranging skills in mangroves program design and implementation and capability to engage with stakeholders at different levels including technocrats, decision makers and the private sector
• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs
• Reports to: Seascape Coordinator
• Supervises: Zambezia Delta technical, administrative and finance staff
• Grade: A3

Duties

• He/she is responsible for leading WWF MCO office in Marromeu and managing the implementation of ECO DRR project in Zambezi Delta, ensuring that project partners tasked with leading specific tasks are managing their tasks effectively and efficiently
• He/she will:
• Provide overall project coordination and oversight including planning, management, budgeting, technical and financial reporting, networking, and procurement and management of third parties/consultants for all commissioned works
• Supports the implementation of the WWF MCO 2020-2030 Country Strategy, ensuring its on-going alignment with National priorities and with other WWF regional and thematic priorities and focus according to the Global Oceans and Climate and Energy Practices ensuring strong delivery on the WWF MCO conservation
• Provide strategic direction and support in fundraising and donor engagement in support of Zambezi Delta in collaboration with Seascape Coordinator and Conservation Manager
• Provide leadership and serve as the WWF MCO focal point on Zambezi Delta, and engage with relevant local government authorities and other partners

Project Planning, Development and Implementation (60%)

• He/she will be responsible for day to day management of component II of ECO DRR project in Zambezi Delta including:
• Implementing activities at the field level including preparing, in coordination with key marine and natural resources management staff, annual work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation timelines, financial projections and tools for evaluation - all of those tools being drawn from the WWF standards and tools
• Overseeing administrative and financial management of the Zambezi Delta marine program interventions including monitoring spending versus budgets and guaranteeing compliance with donor’s procedures
• Oversight and support of the ECO-DRR Component 2 implementing partners in the planning and deliver of expected outputs
• Coordinating with the lead of ECO-DRR Component 1 to assure synergies among ECO-DRR project
• Ensuring the compliance with ECO-DRR contract, MoU and Procedures Manual
• Coordinating and promoting synergies between the ECO-DRR project and the WWF MCO Landscape interventions in Zambezi Delta
• Consulting with relevant specialists/consultants externally and within the WWF Network to gather information relevant to the development and implementation of Mangrove Ecological Restauration and Promotion of Livelihoods
• In collaboration with the Seascape Coordinator, the Conservation Manager and other technical staff, reviewing project proposals/budgets prior to submission to donors to ensure that they are well designed/planned in accordance with WWF Project and Programme Management Standards (PPMS) among others
• Developing terms of reference for consultancy assignments, field missions and exchange experiences, as well as, other required contracts
• Providing technical backstopping to the WWF’s marine initiatives and in any other requested aspect
• Participating in relevant technical working groups, conservation meetings and workshops in the district, province, country and the region, and develop papers, reports and presentations on MCO work in mangroves and in other marine issues when needed
• Preparing and executing capacity building plans for communities and government officers related to sustainable management of coastal and marine natural resources, importance of conservation for sustainable development and climate resilience
• Promoting enabling environment at the local, district and provincial level, including strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community Based Organizations (CBO), local government, associations and communities, and supporting the development and implementation of technical tools for their performance improvement
• Managing, supporting and monitoring research studies, baseline studies, data collection, monitoring system to protect key environmental habitats and protected species (MOMS, Community NRM committees, etc.) and build their capacities
• Ensuring the incorporation of and compliance with WWF´s Environmental and Social Safeguards framework (ESSF) in the conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring and closure of projects within his/her responsibility in coordination with the WWF MCO Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (20%)

• He/she will ensure the collection of high quality data to document programme effect and impact including:
• Ensuring effective implementation of the marine program M&E systems, specially ECO DRR project Component 2 M&E systems, throughout the lifetime of the project in Zambezi Delta
• Ensuring adequate documentation (including lessons learnt and best practices) for all activities undertaken in the course of the Zambezi Delta Marine Program implementation
• Leading continuous observation, reflection, learning, iteration, adaptation and quality improvement process to identify the most salient problems and design appropriate responses, ensuring the highest quality possible of the Zambezi Delta Marine Program in close collaboration with M&E staff and external implementation partners
• Developing and implementing protocols with technical assistance from senior management staff and stakeholders for targeted monitoring and evaluation of the project performance
• Ensuring timely technical reporting to donors, WWF MCO Senior Management Team, and all relevant parts of the WWF Network, as required and according to agreed standards and timelines in coordination with the WWF MCO M&E Manager
• Cooperating with and providing support to programmatic and financial audits, and implementing audit recommendations in a timely manner
• Working closely with Communications Manager and M&E staff to publish regularly the results of field work done in relation to marine initiatives in Zambezi Delta
• In collaboration with Communication and Governance staff, preparing policy related briefs, papers and guidelines
• Providing technical support for the collection of NRM data for M&E, as well as their analysis to support strategic adaptive management of activity implementation
• Coordinating with the IT Officer to ensure that the latter posts all technical reports and other relevant documents onto the WWF Project Database and website
• Supporting communication campaigns in radios and schools, etc.

Representation (10%)

• He/she will be responsible for representation functions in close coordination with the Seascape Coordinator and the Conservation Manager including:
• Organizing Zambezi Delta field visits for WWF and other stakeholders upon request
• Actively representing WWF in the ECO DRR steering committee, Technical operational Committee (ToC) and Coordination group (CG)
• Ensuring WWF MCO participation and engagement in the Global Oceans Practice – bring information to and from the Practice as appropriate; Specially related to mangrove work
• Ensuring that WWF are appropriately represented in relevant coordination bodies at local, provincial, national and regional levels on issues that directly relate to the Zambezi Delta
• Participating in regular coordination meetings with other WWF Programs, donor and government coordination meetings as appropriate. Ensuring that the Zambezi Delta remains relevant to national priorities, and is aligned with National Conservation Plans to adequately address marine problems, challenges, needs and related targets
• Representing the WWF-MCO in meetings and conferences to which WWF MCO is invited to attend

Field office management (10%)

• Ensures that all the field operations are being coordinated and organized properly
• Oversees the overall field office services and the routine functions related to field and office duties
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the Seascape Coordinator, Conservation Manager or Country Director for the smooth and efficient implementation of the MCO conservation program

Requisites

• Master’s degree in coastal natural resource management and conservation, marine biology, fisheries, climate change or other related fields. Additional training in project management would be an advantage
• At least 5 years of experience – including at least 3 years of fieldwork – leading, developing, and managing programmes or large-scale projects in mangroves restoration and management and nature-based solutions
• Proven experience with multi-disciplinary teams, as well as familiarity with Mozambique marine sector, would be a strong asset
• Knowledge of institutional and legal framework pertaining to mangroves management, and conservation as well as of relevant policy issues in Mozambique
• Knowledge and experience with monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects
• Knowledge and work experience around coastal communities’ livelihoods interventions is desirable
• Knowledge of Participatory Rural Assessments (PRA) and community & government engagement and mobilization
• Knowledge of gender, governance, climate change impacts on coastal and marine resources and communities
• Excellent Portuguese and English communication skills (oral and written)
• Excellent inter-personal skills in a multicultural environment, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, including with local communities, government agencies, private sector
• High ethical standards of behaviour, good judgment, respect for others, confidentiality and attention to detail
• Excellent organizational, analytical and research skills
• Energetic, proactive and capable of working independently as well as being an active member of the team
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & In-spiring, Credible &
• Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results
• Adheres to WWF’s behaviours, which are: Strive for Impact; Listen Deeply; Collaborate Openly; and Innovate Fearlessly
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Strong skills in project planning, financing, management, implementation, and evaluation

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Internal: Interacts and works closely and on a regular basis with project implementation personnel in Angoche and Maputo. Coordinates and interacts as appropriate with members WWF Mozambique marine team, WWF Global Oceans Practice, WWF Regional and International, and other WWF Network staff
• External: Interacts with governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, the media, donors, specialists/consultants, private sector in the fishing and extractive industry and other stakeholders, in collaboration with senior managers and the Country Director, as appropriate