African Forest Forum Senior Programme Officer Job in Nairobi, Kenya

The African Forest Forum
 

Vacancy: Senior Programme Officer

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The African Forest Forum (AFF) is an association of individuals who share the pursuit and commitment to the sustainable management, use and conservation of the forest and tree resources of Africa for the betterment of the socio-economic wellbeing of its people and for the stability and improvement of its environment. 

The purpose of AFF is to provide a platform and create an enabling environment for independent and objective analysis, advocacy and advice on all relevant policy and technical issues pertaining to achieving sustainable management, use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources as part of efforts to reduce poverty, protect the environment and promote economic and social development.
 

The position: The African Forest Forum is recruiting for the position of a Senior Programme Officer (SPO) to be based at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The SPO shall manage a project on “Strengthening Sustainable Forest Management in Africa”.
 

About the project
 

The project has several components focussing on:

• Managing partnership platforms through which stakeholders identify challenges to sustainable management of forests and trees and co-create solutions;
• Enhancing sustainable management practices to improve resilience of trees and forests to adverse effects of climate change, and up-scale promising approaches that support livelihoods;
• Generating evidence based information to support efforts in forest law enforcement, promotion of good forest governance and fair trade in forest products and services;
• Strengthening the capacity of institutions and individuals to achieve forest compatible development;
• Strengthening Africa’s capacity in regional and international engagements and facilitate mainstreaming of decisions from the same.
• Collation, synthesis and dissemination of critical information and knowledge to stakeholders through publications in peer reviewed journals, policy briefs, factsheets, working papers and other avenues.

Duties and responsibilities: To provide overall leadership to the project on “Strengthening Sustainable Forest Management in Africa” as Project Manager.
 

In this regard the SPO should:

• Guide the planning and implementation of project activities
• Develop annual plans of work and budgets for discussion and approval by the Project Steering and Advisory Committee (PSAC)
• Secure the attainment of project objectives and other deliverables
• Properly manage project staff, budget and other resources, and provide accountability for use of resources to PSAC
• Plan and schedule project timelines as well as track project deliverables using appropriate tools
• Provide direction and support to project team members
• Ensure quality assurance with respect to project outputs
• Constantly monitor and report on progress of the project appropriately to PSAC
• Identify and secure implementation of project changes and interventions to achieve project outputs
• Facilitate the undertaking of project evaluations and assessment of results, as well as financial audit.
• Organise and provide secretarial support to PSAC meetings
• Assist the Head of PMU on any other duties as well as any other responsibilities as may be directed by the Executive Secretary.
• Represent AFF, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, on matters relating to the above duties, and on any other matters as directed by the Executive Secretary and the Governing Council of AFF.

Key Competencies and Skills:

• Good communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Good leadership qualities especially with respect to planning, organisation, critical thinking and decision making
• Efficient team management skills
• Ability to resolve conflicting situations
• Computer or technical knowledge
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Adaptability and stress tolerance

Qualification and experience:

• Ph.D. in forestry, environment, natural resources management or related area;
• A minimum of 5 years of post Ph. D. experience;
• Must have the capacity and demonstrated experience in the leadership of projects and programmes in forestry;
• Must have the capacity and demonstrated experience in application of forest science to the management of natural resources;
• Must be a good team player;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in either English or French; working knowledge of the other will be an added advantage.

Terms of Offer: AFF and ICRAF are equal opportunity employers and offer a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. 

This position is remunerated on regional terms. 

The appointment will be for an initial period of two (2) years, subject to a nine (9) months’ probation period.

*Please note that this is a readvertisement. All those who applied previously need not apply.
 

How to apply
 

Click here to apply online
 

Applications will be considered until 20th June 2014, please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

About World Agroforestry Centre: The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. 

As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

To learn more about our World Agroforestry Centre and AFF please visit our websites: www.worldagroforestry.org and www.afforum.org