Project Manager(World Wide Fund for Nature-WWF)-Job vacancies in Uganda

Job Title:  Project Manager
Organization: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Job Location: Kasese, Uganda
Deadline: 29th January 2014
Project Name: Sustainable Financing of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP) Project Uganda
Funding Source: European Union (EU)

Reports to: Forest Programme Coordinator

About WWF:
WWF is one of the world's largest independent and experienced Conservation organizations operating in over 100 Countries in the world. WWF UCO implements a number of national programmes promoting environment conservation in Uganda. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of our planet's natural environment, and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

About RMNP Project:
WWF UCO with funding from the European Union is implementing the “Sustainable Financing of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP) Project Uganda” a project aimed at promoting sustainable conservation financing within the Rwenzori Landscape. The Project will be implemented in partnership with the mandated Government Institutions, Civil Society Organizations, the private sector and communities within the Rwenzori Landscape.

Job Summary:
The Project Manager will ensure the delivery of sustainable provision of ecosystem services and similar initiatives from WWF’s partners in the Rwenzori Mountains Landscape, in Kasese, Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo Districts aligning them with the WWF Country Programme activities in the area. Additionally s/he will provide PES advisory services to other PES/REDD projects as agreed.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Project coordination & Development:

•     Plan and oversee the execution of project activities according to the project contract and all subsequently determined work plans, including management of staff and sub-contracts;
•     Plan and oversee the use of the project budget including co-financing to the EU grant which forms an integral part of the overall project;
•     Represent the project and WWF, as required, at national and international forums/meetings
•     Co-ordinate the execution of the EU-funded grant with WWF’s UCO other projects, other partner programmes and projects pertaining to the forest and water sector in Uganda, whether under implementation or planned;
•     Co-ordinate execution of partners’ activities under the EU-funded sub-grant;
•     Ensure all internal and external reporting requirements related to the project are met;
•     Assist in raising additional support to complement project activities as needs are identified.

 2. Other Duties:

•     Coordinate the measurement and the assessment of watershed service in the Rwenzori to determine the watershed marketable value;
•     Work harmoniously with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to identify potential buyers who benefit from the watershed service;
•     Assessing the institutional and technical capacity (assessing legal, policy and land ownership context and examining existing rules for PES markets and deals);
•     Identify key stakeholders in PES in Uganda (stakeholder mapping), available PES support services and organizations and the demand for PES in the Rwenzori Landscape;
•     Coordinate a capacity gap analyses and training needs assessment of government, corporate and civil society stakeholders in relation to PES;
•     Undertake a pre-feasibility study to determine the most appropriate mechanisms for the development of PES pilots;
•     Coordinate the designing and development of management and business plan to provide the watershed service that is the focus of the PES deal. This include among others reviewing options for payment types and selecting a contract type;
•     Take lead in the development of indicators and a system for annual monitoring of ecosystem services in order to ensure that PES outcomes are being achieved;
•     Act as a facilitator in bringing multiple stakeholders (Government, civil society and corporate sector) together in appropriate PES forums in the landscape;
•     Track developments in methods and approaches to developing PES projects with a focus on governance and benefit sharing issues and mechanisms for implementation, and feed this into project implementation;
•     Contribute to development of compliance processes for PES credit transaction in the most beneficial manner for project proponents including communities;
•     Design protocols for collaborative management and protection of ecosystems for environmental services as well as protocols for administration of funding generated through PES;
•     Develop and strengthen Community Based Monitoring and law enforcement efforts in the project sites;
•     Support WWF, government, corporate and civil society to build core capacities to understand and develop PES concepts;
•     Engage with government, corporate sector and communities to facilitate the development of PES agreements between these stakeholders in the project sites;
•     Contribute to policy and legislative reviews for PES inclusion in Ugandan policy and legislative frameworks;
•     Offer support National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to develop a national framework for PES;
•     Review and document the processes undertaken to develop PES mechanisms at the Rwenzori
•     landscape and demonstrate to stakeholders, partners and the EU and French Global Environment Facility (FGEF) best practices in the development of PES;
•     Assure alignment of the project with other PES projects as well as with partner initiatives, in particular CWCST, WCS, REDD secretariat;
•     Ensure key is-sues and lessons learned are shared between partners to ensure increasing efficiency of implementation and adaptive management;
•     Feed lessons learned and approaches into key policy fora and link to key influencers to ensure climate change policy is enabling for forest and water conservation initiatives;
•     Share lessons learned within WWF and partners and associated organizations as required;
•     Ensure that WWF policies and guidelines are followed within the implementation of the Project;
•     Perform any other duties as required and directed by the Forest Programme Coordinator.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

•     The applicant should hold a Master’s of Science degree or equivalent training in Environmental Economics, Natural Resource Management or related field.
•     At least five years’ experience in ecosystem management or a similar field;
•     Excellent track record of developing and delivering pro-poor ecosystem management projects, with a particular focus on governance and benefit;
•     Demonstrable experience in leading large (> USD 1 million) statutory donor projects;
•     At least six years’ experience of project management;
•     Demonstrable experience engaging with government, corporate and local partners at all
•     levels;
•     Significant experience of working with international organizations;
•     Experience working local government and the local communities;
•     Good understanding of the National Forest Authority, Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Environment Management Authority, Uganda Tourism Board as well as The Ministry of Water and Environment are desired.
•     Strong project management skills with experience in project planning, financial management, reporting and evaluation;
•     Possess the ability to think laterally and creatively;
•     Strong communication skills, (written and verbal), with ability to present, persuade, influence and negotiate at senior level;
•     Ability to convey the work of WWF with confidence and credibility;
•     Good team player with the ability to also work well under own initiative;
•     Strong organizational skills, with structured and methodical approach to work and a clear focus on results;
•     Possess the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively;
•     Strong project management skills with experience in project planning, financial management, reporting and evaluation;
•     Possess the ability to think laterally and creatively;
•     Strong communication skills, (written and verbal), with ability to present, persuade influence and negotiate at senior level;
•     Possess the ability to convey the work of WWF with confidence and credibility;
•     Good team player with the ability to also work well under own initiative;
•     Strong organizational skills, with structured and methodical approach to work and a clear focus on results;
•     Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
•     Demonstrated commitment to the conservation of Uganda's natural heritage;
•     Capacity to work independently, to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the organization, to be organized, conscientious and careful, and to meet deadlines.
•     All aspiring job holders should adhere to the WWF values of being knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.

How to Apply:
All interested candidates should send their cover letters, updated CVs, and academic transcripts to the People Development Manager, WWF Uganda, at kampala@wwfuganda.org.
A detailed job description may be accessed at www.panda.org/uganda.

Physical Office:
WWF Uganda Country Office, 
Plot 2, Sturrock Road, Kololo
 P.O. Box 33513, Kampala - Uganda
NB: Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted.