WWF: Officer for its Conservation programme in DRC

WWF is one of the largest independent conservation organisations in the world. We are an international NGO committed to environmental protection active in almost 100 countries and have been working in the Congo Basin since 1978. Our mission is to stop environmental degradation in the world and build a future where humans live in harmony with nature.

WWF is implementing an ambitious conservation programme in Central Africa, called the Green Heart of Africa (GHoA); with offices in Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The GHoA programme across the region is implemented with the collaboration of strategic partners, and focuses on four pillars: the reduction of the illegal wildlife trade, the sustainable and effective management of protected areas, support to green economy approaches and promotion of sustainable forest resource management at scale.

In DRC, the programme aims to ensure that the exceptional landscapes and thematic conservation programmes of DRC are managed sustainably so that biodiversity is conserved, ecosystems functions and services are maintained, valorised and contribute to reducing global climate change; while improving people’s livelihoods and sustainable development.

WWF DRC Programme seeks a Competent Funding Officer, who will work closely with the Conservation and the Finance teams in partnership with the Fundraising Manager for Africa to sustain its growth in DRC,

Location: WWF Office in Kinshasa, DRC

Main responsibilities:

Fundraising
· Working closely with the National Director and in collaboration with the Fundraising Manager for Africa, identify and build Relationships with country based donors, seek, initiate and act on opportunities to strategically engage, involve and develop donor relationships.

· Assist the Country Conservation Director in planning and developing programme concept notes and proposals for submission to donors in respect of WWF network guidelines and adherence to donor requirements and expectations.

· Be the focal point for the maintenance and implementation of WWF’s policy on proposal and contract management in DRC to ensure quality proposal development, effective sign off process.
Contract Management and Reporting to Donors
· Based on the Donor Reporting Schedule in each DRC Contract, lead on the development of high quality programme technical and financial report in close working relation with the Programme Managers and finance teams.

· Share the report and obtain the approval / sign off from the Country Conservation Director as well as ensuring its submission by the designated Contract Administrator.

· Once or twice in the project life cycle and depending on budget availability (if data not provided by the M&E person or by the programme manager), systematic travel to the field to compare theoretical achievements with the actual work completion in the field and gather images and testimonies as useful ingredient for the donor reports.

· Enhance a culture of timely and quality reporting, learning and sharing within the Programme, Funding and finance team through a Creation and management of a donor reporting database including the data before, during and after the project completion.

· With support from the Country Conservation Director and Fundraising Manager for Africa, ensure the report sounds good programme and financial management and that it aligns to WWF reporting rules.

· Lead the dialogue between the donor and WWF Programme team in one hand and between CARPO team and DRC team on the other hand on proposal finalisation and contract negotiation.
System Management (Oracles and Insight)

Once the new financial system (Oracle) is in place:
· Through bimonthly system audit, ensure that all donor contract information for specific programmes is correctly recorded according to WWF internal procedures.

· Conduct System training for newly recruited staff when they are required to use the system.
Capacity building
· Ensure sufficient capacity and skills of WWF and partner’s staffs to manage funding in full respect of donors requirements in regard to the Project Management Cycle; liaise with the finance department in regard to donor’s financial requirements, and alert program staff on other donor requirements.

· Assess and strengthen the capacity of conservation programme colleagues and partner staff across the country in the planning, securing and management of restricted funds through formal training delivery, coaching and advice.
Information management

Support the Conservation team to ensure the programme information is fully WWF system compliant and that each program information filing is triangulated (Google Drive, Online Oracle System and hard copies).

What you need:

Required Qualifications
· Have at least a Master degree in Economy, Management, Social sciences, environment…

· Experience in Programme, Finance Management including familiarity with log frame and budgets. A background in Conservation and environment studies is an asset.

· Minimum 3 years’ experience working with International NGOs preferably in Conservation and in the public relationship.

· Experience working with donors like EU, DFID, UNDP, SIDA, KFW, USAID, BMU, BMZ, WORLD BANK ADB  …
Required Skills and Competencies
· Good communication, networking and influencing skills – both written and verbal in English and French.

· High level of numeracy, budgeting, financial reporting and IT skills.

· Detailed oriented, highly analytical, critical reading, sceptical-questioning, can maintain impartiality when reviewing a report and act as a bridge between WWF DRC and donors if delegated by the Fundraising Manager for Africa.

· Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people as well as having the drive to work both under own initiative and within a team to achieve results.

· Experience of capacity building of others.

· Convincing skills, negotiation skills, team motivator

· Ability to manage a diverse work load and be flexible to changing priorities.

· Organizational awareness –how to get what information and who to keep informed.

· Ability to travel to the hard to reach fields.

· Be emotionally environment conservation centred and willing to advocate for a conservation that consider human development.

· Adhere to WWF’s values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
How to apply?

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send a cover letter and a detailed CV to the address [email protected]. The subject should read Funding Officer.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow up.

Deadline for applications: 31 August 2014

Female and African nationals applicants are encouraged.