News from the CEPA e-mail list

Vacancy at Wetlands International (23/11/04)

Good morning CEPA list members:

A position vacancy at Wetlands International that may be of interest.

Best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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PROJECT MANAGER WETLANDS AND POVERTY REDUCTION

Wetlands International is an independent global non-profit organisation dedicated solely to the wise use and conservation of wetlands. Well-established networks of experts and close partnerships with key organisations provide Wetlands International with the essential tools for catalysing our sustainable development activities worldwide. Since the Millennium declaration, in which poverty-environment issues are clearly recognised, Wetlands International, has incorporated into its activities the development, implementation and demonstration of innovative approaches and mechanisms for dealing with poverty-environment issues in wetland management and conservation. This includes a focus on the values of wetlands for environmental and food security, and their potential for poverty reduction.

Wetlands International has a core staff or around 100 people in 16 offices worldwide and cooperates with an active worldwide network of wetland specialists to promote wise use and conservation of wetlands. Our networks include national representatives from 58 countries, scientists from all over the world, wetland managers, specialist groups and a wide range of international and local partner organisations.

Wetlands International is governed by a global Board of Directors, which is overseen by an international Board of Members of over 150 individuals. The Board of Members is composed of representatives of the National Governments, Donor Organisations, Specialist Group Coordinators, Partner Organisations and members-at-large.

The headquarters in Wageningen includes 21 staff, working in a multi-cultural, team environment, housed in a building that gives proximity to key partner organisations.

Working relationships:

INSIDE Wetlands International: All Headquarters staff, but primarily the Senior Programme Manager, Project Assistant, Finance team and staff in other offices.

OUTSIDE Wetlands International: NGO partner agencies and consultants, Dutch government and companies.

General Information:
Title of posting: Project Manager
Sector: Wise Use of Wetlands/Wetlands and Poverty Reduction Programme
Location: Wetlands International, Wageningen, the Netherlands Nature of
assignment: Full time (36 hours per week) Direct Supervision by: Drs. Marcel Silvius Title of Supervisor: Senior Programme Manager
Grade: Scale 12 ( 2.750,33 - 3.612,58 Euro)

OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:
Wetlands International has received from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DGIS, a grant contribution under the TMF funding mechanism for a global project on "Wetlands and Poverty Reduction". This presents an exciting and significant opportunity for Wetlands International to promote the role of wetlands in sustainable development through a partnership approach with the development sector. The Project Manager will be responsible for the contributing to project development and for effective implementation of all components and sub-projects within the global project, as well as meeting donor requirements of accounting and
reporting in a timely and efficient manner.

The project has four major focal areas:
a) Influencing international policy frameworks relevant to poverty-environment issues in wetlands, as well as national level planning mechanisms such as PRSPs and national Biodiversity or Wetland Strategies.
b) Poverty reduction initiatives in Africa and South-east Asia integrating wise use wetland management practices. The Project Manager will ensure that project activities will deliver measurable results in terms of poverty reduction and bring a specific focus to the values of wetlands for environmental and food security.
c) Enhancing technical capacity to deliver poverty reduction in wetland areas in Africa
d) Development of awareness and outreach materials focused on development sectors, the global donor community and NGOs.

The job will require the development and coordination of a global team of staff, government and NGO partner agencies and consultants. The Project Manager will provide guidance to staff and partners regarding project development and will be responsible for project management and reporting to a high standard of transparency and accountability.

Reporting to the Senior Programme Manager, your main duties will
include:
1. Responsibility for effective management of projects and
activities under the Wetlands and Poverty Reduction DGIS-financed Programme
2. Coordination of staff, consultants and involvement of partner
agencies in the implementation of the DGIS-financed programme
3. Development and promotion of new partnerships, particularly
between development assistance or poverty relief agencies and nature conservation organisations in the development of innovative integrated wetland conservation poverty reduction projects
4. Continuous assessment of the quantity and quality of the
programme's activities, communication, outputs and results, particularly in regard of measurable poverty reduction and wetland biodiversity conservation
5. Provision of guidance to the Secretariat of the Working Group on
Wetlands and Sustainable Livelihoods, and contributing to the development of positions on relevant policy issues.
6. Documentation of project reports including the completion of
planned activities as well as the management and annual audit of project budgets as appropriate.
7. Contribution to the strategic planning of Wetlands International
in relation to the Programme theme of wetlands and sustainable livelihoods

Selection Criteria:
Profile: The successful candidate will be an accomplished project/programme manager with experience in the policies and practice of natural resource management and/or sustainable rural development. S/he will have an open and creative mind and excellent inter-personal and communication skills.

The following skills, qualifications and experience are essential:
1. An advanced university degree in Environmental Management,
Natural Resource Management or Rural Development or in a similarly relevant subject area.
2. Demonstrated successful experience as a project manager and team
builder, including working with field-based staff in the not-for profit sector and consultants.
3. Competency in financial management of budgets and monthly
accounts.
4. Competency in coordinating complex, multi-partner, transboundary
programmes
5. At least five years of field experience gained in a developing
country on conservation or rural development projects, with proven track record in monitoring, assessing and reviewing project progress.
6. Excellent communication skills, including command of English,
written and spoken.
7. Full computer literacy skills.
8. A highly motivated individual, comfortable with working under
minimum supervision and as part of a team. An ability to cope with work-related pressure, whilst remaining deadline and focus oriented.
9. Willingness to engage in significant international travel.

The following skills and experience will be an advantage:
a) Experience in rural development and/or natural resource
management in Africa;
b) Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment;
c) Knowledge of other languages, such as French or Spanish.

Applications:
Those interested in applying should send a cover letter together with their detailed curriculum vitae and a paper addressing the selection criteria (based on the skills, qualifications and experience points listed above), plus contact details of three referees, who can vouch for professional and personal qualifications.

Deadline: Tuesday 14 December 2004.

Interviews will be held in the week of 20 December 2004.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to: danielle.nieuwenhuijse@wetlands.org

Further enquiries should be directed initially to:
Danielle Nieuwenhuijse
Wetlands International
PO Box 471
6700 AL Wageningen
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-317-478871
Fax: +31-317-478850

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Sandra Hails, CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0176; Fax: +41 22 999 0169
E-mail: hails@ramsar.org
Web Site: http://ramsar.org
CEPA mini-Web site: http://ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm

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