Vacancy #: 7338 Unit: Mozambique Country Office Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Mozambique Country Office, Maputo, Mozambique Reporting to: Regional Director - Eastern and Southern Africa Work percentage: 100% Grade: M1 Expected start date: 01 September 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months) Closing date: 04 August 2025 BACKGROUND BACKGROUND:
The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty-four countries in the Horn of Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. The ESARO region is extremely rich in biodiversity with high number of endemic species and the largest remaining populations of iconic wildlife left on the continent. ESAROโs Programme focuses on biodiversity conservation through a diverse portfolio of projects and programmatic initiatives ranging from activities at the level of individual protected areas to shaping regional policy on biodiversity conservation. ESARO defines and delivers on its programmatic priorities in collaboration with IUCN members, commissions and other strategic partners. In Mozambique, IUCN began its activities in 1993 and established the country office in 1998. Since then, IUCNยดs country representation in Mozambique has been developing various projects and activities in partnership with other institutions and donor agencies.
IUCN is currently implementing a suite of separate but mutually coordinated projects in Mozambique including: i) Moz Water funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands ii) Local Areas of Empowerment Project (LEAP) in Cabo Delgado province; Save our Mangroves Now 2 (SOMn2) and iv) Biodiversity for Development project (BIODEV) at the national level. Three new projects are currently under design and development. These are: SUSTAIN phase two; Community based adaptation (CBA) scale up and a Green Climate Fund activity.
GENERAL SCOPE:
The Country Representative, IUCN Mozambique is responsible for developing and coordinating the implementation of IUCNโs programmes at national level in Mozambique in line with the overall IUCN ESARO Strategic Plan and Programming guidelines. To this effect, the Country Representative, IUCN Mozambique leads in conducting a country level analysis to develop Mozambique context specific areas of programming. The Country Representative, IUCN Mozambique identifies, networks and build alliances with like-minded organizations at country level. S/he provides technical and methodological support to the Mozambique Country programme initially in relation to the implementation of all projects being responsible for overall coordination to meet the strategic goals defined, carrying overall responsibility for the delivery of the Programme in accordance to approved work plans and budgets. S/he ensures the smooth running of the Country Programme and its financial & grant management as well as the Programmeโs sustainability. S/he is responsible for overall financial and human resources management of the Country Programme. S/he actively leads in the development of the Mozambique country strategy in line with the IUCN strategy. S/he represents IUCN in Mozambique, interact within external partners, including government, media and other stakeholders. JOB DESCRIPTION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Roles & Responsibilities of the Country Representative, IUCN Mozambique:
Programme Coordination;
Under the guidance of the Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and the Regional Programme Coordinator, the Country Representative will be responsible for cultivating and enhancing institutional relationships and building the investment cases for IUCN with key development partners, which prioritize and coordinate resource mobilization and programme development across the region in alignment with the IUCN ESAROโs strategic priorities; working closely with the Regional Programme Coordinator, Regional Thematic Heads, other Heads of Country Offices, and relevant Global Programmes of IUCN.
Programme Management;
Oversight in the implementation of key projects including: (i) lead the planning and implementation of project; (ii) facilitate the definition of project scope, goals and deliverables; (iii) define project tasks and resource requirements; (iv) develop full scale project plans; (v) assemble and coordinate project staff; (vi) manage project budget and resource allocation; (vii) plan and schedule project timelines; (viii) track project deliverables using appropriate tools and (ix) constantly monitor and report on progress of the project to all stakeholders;
Oversee and manage the timely implementation of funded projects in the portfolio in accordance with the project documents;
Develop and administer annual work plans, budgets, internal agreements, contracts and progress reports as required by collaborating partners and donors, and be accountable for portfolio-related expenditures in accordance with IUCN procurement procedures;
Ensure that field-based activities are efficiently and effectively implemented in accordance with agreed project plans, with the full participation of all project stakeholders.
Technical Oversight and support to the Country programme;
Lead in the development and implementation of the Mozambique Country Programme strategy, providing sound methodological and technical support, as per the organisational thematic alignment and programming approach
Coordinate the Country Programme annual planning and budgeting as per organisational guidelines;
Provide oversight to all finance and administrative services in the Programme;
Promote a participatory approach in programming work and create space in the structure for staff participation and involvement in decision making;
Oversee and coordinate the programme portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity and developing innovative programme intervention;
Coordinate the production of timely quality programme reports in line with IUCN and donor requirements.
Strategic Leadership and management;
Oversee adequate implementation of the performance management system including performance objectives and planning, review, appraisal and staff development;
Organise regular meetings with the management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning;
Ensure that the country management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making;
Representation and developing strategic partnerships;
Represent IUCN in Mozambique and be responsible for the management of host country relations and IUCN interests in dealing with government, international and local organisations, networks and media in the Country Programme;
Represent IUCN in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of IUCN;
Develop and strengthen relationships with local organisations, donors and networks and establish national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society working in common cause with IUCN objectives;
Promote IUCN's organizational identity and capacity to all stakeholders and partners in Mozambique and ensure IUCN remains relevant to the needs of the country;
Networking among IUCN programmes and members and other organizations on programme development matters;
Facilitate donor visits, donor meetings, round table discussions and evaluations as necessary;
Be aware of all donorsโ conditionality in the Country Programme and monitor adherence to donorsโ conditionality.
Manage relationships for ensuring a close collaboration among IUCN constituents under the One Programme Approach, and integrating secretariat, members and commissions into convergent efforts towards programme implementation;
Portfolio Development and Resources Mobilization;
Develop networks and partnerships with national/regional/international institutions in Mozambique and spearhead donor collaboration, fund raising and project development within the country;
Keep abreast of the trends within the donor environment in the Country and Internationally;
Undertake diversified local and international fundraising initiatives to strengthen programme funding and sustainability;
Coordinate the production of good quality funding proposals and respond to calls for proposals;
Provide technical inputs to ensure that IUCN projects and initiatives are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in accordance with IUCN standards, that project delivery is underpinned with adequate quality assurance and that all projects clearly align with and contribute to IUCNโs regional programmatic results;
Networking for the submission of proposals (donors, ministries and other relevant funding sources);
Provide vision, strategic focus and operational guidance as necessary for the further development and implementation of IUCN Programme at both country and regional levels;
Organizational Management and Leadership;
Responsible for the overall and strategic leadership and management of the office operations and its resources.
Overarching responsibility for the financial viability and sustainability of the Office, the risk management, and a shared responsibility for the management of the human resources that comprise of Programme and Project Officers, Finance and Administration as well as Support staff โ all of whom have functional reporting lines that support the Country Representative.
Managing both individual performance as well as ensuring that all individuals across the different departments work together as a team and that IUCN policies and procedures are adhered to in the day-to-day running of the office and management of all assets.
Other responsibilities;
Take primary responsibility for overall management of safety and security for the office operations and its resources.
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time. REQUIREMENTS โข KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
Education;
Masterโs Degree in related relevant discipline, such as marine ecology, marine natural resource management, environmental science / management.
Strong technical background in natural resources management, climate change and policy engagement.
Work Experience;
At least 15+ years of proven experience in development partner-funded projects and development organization particularly in the field of fundraising and/or resource mobilization and at least 8+ years of proven managerial experience;
Extensive experience in marine and costal conservation preferably in the Western Indian Ocean region, in a senior management position on a major conservation programme; Extensive proven experience in all phases of programme development and project implementation and management is essential, including, planning, execution, monitoring, and technical and financial reporting;
Extensive experience in project design and management and demonstrated fundraising capacity through bilateral or multilateral donors;
Demonstrated experience and achievements in organizational, financial and personnel management, and in decision-making.
Language requirements:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Portuguese.
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organizationโs interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional Competencies:
A high level of computer literacy including the use of standard office software packages
A positive and proactive attitude: Ability to balance \"analysis\" with \"doing\" while setting high standards for self and committing to organisational goals;
Proven ability to effectively delegate, empower and motivate staff and others.
Demonstrated ability to both plan and act, keeping the staff focused on priorities.
Proven experience in maintaining and nurturing expert networks with demonstrated ability to handle politically and culturally sensitive issues.
Experience in identifying key issues in a complex situation, and consulting, gathering, and analyzing relevant information before proposing and implementing decisive actions or recommendations.
Excellent interpersonal skills to support building networks and partnerships;
Must be a strong team player with proven diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results;
Willing to travel frequently within the region. APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldโs largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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