Bilingual Deputy Project Director, Nature-based solutions in the Guinean Forests of West Africa

This is a bilingual position – requires a working knowledge of both official languages (French and English). To qualify, you must be able to speak, read, and write in your second official language at the intermediate level.

POSITION LOCATION Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire

(Person must be legally authorized to work in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire – WUSC will not facilitate any work authorization process)

BACKGROUND

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $57 million. We have over 300 staff across Canada and the globe, working in collaboration with a diverse set of donors and partners to achieve our organizational vision.

NATURE AND SCOPE

The overall focus of the Nature-based Solutions (NBS) in the Guinean Forests of West Africa (NBS West Africa) project will be on engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to develop local and regional capacity to use evidence and engage with women and marginalized groups to prioritize locally relevant NBS to climate change adaptation. It will take a systems approach to supporting climate adaptation through interventions that plan for, pilot and scale nature based-solutions (NBS) to climate adaptation that contribute to enhanced biodiversity and gender equality. An overall assumption is that restoration and reforestation of degraded forests, both on and off farm, will be critical to supporting women and their communities to adapt to climate change challenges and will be central to protecting and restoring biodiversity in this critical global hotspot.

The project will work in close collaboration with consortium member CECI, and with the IUCN, CIFOR-ICRAF and the University of Guelph. Key local stakeholders include local and national government bodies, regional institutions, private sector, women’s groups, and environmental organizations.

This initiative builds on WUSC’s and CECI’s decades of experience supporting vulnerable populations and leverages the experience of a variety of local and international partners who bring a strong climate NBS lens, are fully immersed in their respective ecosystems and whose work can be accelerated by this project. This project is a timely intervention to ensure Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinée continue to effectively address climate adaptation while incorporating Nature based Solutions and strong gender lenses.

Based in the WUSC office in Abidjan, the Deputy Project Director will support the Project Director to lead the operational implementation of the NBS West Africa Project in all three countries of intervention. In collaboration with the country coordinators, the Deputy Project Director manages operational relationships with key stakeholders, project partners and local partners. Working with the project coordinators, they will support project teams in the different countries of implementation. Reporting to the Project Director, the Deputy Project Director will be responsible for the following:

Partner Relations and Communications

• In collaboration with country coordinators, develop scopes of work for key project partners (WUSC, CECI) IUCN, ICRAF-CIFOR on an annual work plan basis and oversee the establishment of appropriate local contracts to ensure that project objectives are met
• Maintain effective relationships between key project partners, including those based in the region
• Ensure effective and inclusive communication between project partners to support planning and problem solving
• Work with the communications team to promote the visibility of the project within relevant social media channels
• Support the Project Director in communicating on the project learning agenda using different communication channels

Technical Direction & Project Management

• Support the Project Director in providing technical and supervisory oversight to project staff, including direction and guidance to the project in line with the project’s expected outcomes
• In collaboration with country coordinators, develop key project planning deliverables (i.e. annual Workplan, project reports) using results based management approaches and tools
• Support effective communication flows amongst project team members and partners
• Oversee the day-to-day coordination and delivery of project activities in conjunction with staff, technical advisors, volunteers and partners

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Work closely with the M&E team to support the implementation of a results monitoring system for the project
• Stay apprised of developments in key areas of project interest and develop systems for monitoring changes and adaptations in these areas over time
• Regularly monitor progress towards results, and advise Project Director for appropriate course correction and iterative management
• Work with team members to produce regular and mandatory reports to key stakeholders, including the donor agency

Human Resources & Finance

• Support the Project Director in the overall management and supervision of project human resources in the relevant implementing countries
• Provide guidance and oversee the performance evaluation of project staff and consultants
• Work with colleagues and partners to ensure the effective mobilization, orientation and coaching of volunteers and technical advisors
• In conjunction with the finance team, maintain and monitor the financial management system for the project
• In conjunction with the finance team monitor project budget and ensure regular reporting to the Project Director

General Support

• Perform other tasks inherent to the position, such as drafting sections of project narrative reports, analysis and other relevant project tasks that may be assigned to them.

Profile

Education

• A Masters degree in, business administration or other relevant area
• Specialized training in Natural resource management, Ecosystems based adaptation, Nature-based solutions (NBS), Market systems or gender equality would be an advantage
• or an equivalent combination of experience and education in a relevant area

Experience and Competencies

• A minimum of 9 years of progressively more responsible assignments related to management of development initiatives
• Proven knowledge of and commitment to Gender Equality
• Demonstrated capacity to work in cross-sectoral collaboration
• Experience working with international development donor agencies will be an asset
• Knowledge of Results Based Management (RBM) and environmental and gender policies and reporting requirements
• Proven technical, financial, administrative and organizational skills
• Proven experience managing a large, multi-disciplinary and international team of staff
• Diplomatic skills and the knowledge of cross-cultural, interpersonal communication
• Proven experience of adaptability to a challenging and constantly changing environment requiring iterative planning on a regular basis
• Experience in capacity building with local partner organizations and a commitment to a participatory partnership approach to development

Language Proficiency Fluency in English and French, written and spoken

Bilingual position – requires a working knowledge of French and English. To qualify, you must be able to speak, read, and write in your second official language at the intermediate level.

CONTRACT TERM full-time, one year contract, with possibility of renewal. Person must be legally authorized to work in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire; WUSC will not facilitate any work authorization process.

SALARY LEVEL A local salary and compensation package based on WUSC’s salary grid level MGT1 will be discussed during the selection process.

APPLICATIONS

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

Person must be legally authorized to work in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS June 24, 2024, 09:00 ET