Position Vacancy: Madagascar Country Director

Transcription

1 Blue Ventures Conservation Level 2 Annex, Omnibus Business Centre North Road, London, N7 9DP Telephone: +44 (0) info@blueventures.org Website: Position Vacancy: Madagascar Country Director Location: Based in Antananarivo, with some travel to remote field sites Closing date for applications: 12 th June 2016 (interviews on a rolling basis) Contract duration: 2 years (renewable), with a 6- month trial period Start date: 15 th August 2016 Salary: Competitive with benefits Overview Blue Ventures is a science- led social enterprise that works with coastal communities to develop transformative approaches for nurturing and sustaining locally led marine conservation initiatives. The role of Madagascar Country Director (MCD) is to be the primary in- country representative of Blue Ventures (BV) in Madagascar, providing vision, leadership and clear management to the team, effective high- level representation for BV with key audiences and partners nationally, and maintaining effective communications, coordination and knowledge sharing with BV teams outside Madagascar. The Country Director is responsible for leading the Madagascar senior team to ensure attainment of project goals in line with Blue Ventures strategic plan and core values, and overseeing safe, effective and efficient delivery of Blue Ventures' activities within Madagascar. The Country Director also has an important role in leading strategy development for the Madagascar programme, and continual improvements in operational effectiveness, as well as contributing to the wider BV strategy, for greater conservation impact for communities and the marine environment. Position in organisation Reporting to: Conservation Director (based in London headquarters), with strategic oversight from the Executive Director and support from the Conservation Programmes Manager, Finance Director and Managing Director.

2 Direct line management responsibility for: Site Leaders/Area Managers (x4), Operations and Resources Manager, Policy and Partnerships Manager. Also line management of MIHARI network coordinator. Coordination and programmatic support and supervision for: all technical managers in Madagascar (fisheries, community health, aquaculture, blue forests). Major roles and responsibilities Leadership Maintaining a creative, supportive and thriving environment for Blue Ventures Madagascar team, ensuring that Blue Ventures values are upheld and culture is maintained; Leading staff effectively by promoting a shared vision for Blue Ventures in Madagascar, and ensuring all staff understand their contribution to that vision and Blue Ventures overall strategy; Taking the lead in following new opportunities, as well as resolving challenges, conflicts and other issues as they arise; Leading by example, and developing staff capacity through effective performance management and professional development, whilst promoting a safe, healthy and ethical workplace. Providing leadership to ensure the effective continuation and implementation of Blue Ventures' conservation programmes in Madagascar, including strategy design and updates. Programme leadership, management and development Lead, develop and support Blue Ventures senior management team (site leaders, technical programme leads, Operations & Resources Manager, Policy & Partnerships Manager) in Madagascar effectively, and managing talent and resources across the organisation; o Performance management of direct reports including regular one- on- ones, performance planning, appraisal o Organise periodic meetings of the Madagascar senior team o Maintaining an overview of programme delivery via regular check- ins with technical programme leads Identify core capacity needs within Madagascar programme and coordinate with senior management to design strategies to fill these. Work with senior HQ team to ensure sustained effectiveness of conservation programmes and delivery of desired outcomes. Maintain an effective and coherent recruitment strategy for Madagascar.

3 Maintain overview of site- and programme- based strategy and workplans, ensuring efficiency and a clear strategic direction are maintained. Coordinate with London HQ team for grant management and donor reporting as required. Maintain an effective pro- active internal communications system to ensure that all staff working with Blue Ventures in Madagascar are well informed of Blue Ventures' mission and kept up to date ongoing activities, as well as new developments, policies and procedures, as and when they arise. Design and develop new programmes and initiatives where necessary, assisting the HQ team with fundraising and donor relations where required, and capitalising on new development and partnership opportunities that arise. Communications and knowledge sharing/management Promote effective documentation of knowledge and experience within Madagascar programme both for internal and external purposes. Support the team to promote high quality journalistic reporting from all of Blue Ventures' conservation programmes in Madagascar for national and international audiences, and documenting work through photography and film. Lead by example in communicating Blue Ventures activities to a high standard through appropriate reporting and media. Promote and support Blue Ventures commitment to disseminate learning from conservation programmes and improve advocacy efforts through creative and effective communications. Building working partnerships for conservation Build and nurture effective strategic partnerships with relevant national and regional partners, including governments, universities, businesses, international organisations, funders, other non- governmental organisations, and key stakeholders; Represent Blue Ventures to relevant public and civil society partners, and ensuring clear and effective communications are maintained with all stakeholders. Support Blue Ventures work with new partners worldwide by supporting visits and learning exchanges. Operations Support Operations and Resources Manager to ensure cooperation with Blue Ventures' HQ on financial, operational and programmatic activities and audits, as well as follow- ups on audit recommendations in a timely manner to optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of Blue Ventures' operations;

4 Ensure that Blue Ventures' activities in Madagascar comply with relevant permissions and legal requirements (in particular those stipulated under the Accord de Siege with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs); Oversee management of procedures to ensure renewal of Accord de Siege to ensure on- going stability and security to Blue Ventures status in Madagascar. Oversee smooth operations of projects, visits, and events, ensuring managers carry out adequate planning, engage adequate support, and support problem solving when needed. Locally Managed Marine Area Network Leadership Oversee Blue Ventures contributions to developing MIHARI, Madagascar s LMMA network of which BV is a founding member. Including: o Oversee core operations of network and management of grants to support the network o Strategic input to developing MIHARI structure and capacity o Strategic input into MIHARI network policy and advocacy priorities Provide direct line management support to LMMA network coordinator

5 Qualifications, experience and skills Minimum three years demonstrable experience providing senior team and/or organisational leadership within a conservation and/or development organisation. Minimum three years demonstrable experience in managing conservation and/or development programmes and providing strategic direction. Postgraduate degree in conservation, management, community development or a related field. Demonstrated experience in building the capacity of multicultural teams. Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong relationships with government, NGO and other partners. Strong understanding of the strengths and challenges of community multidisciplinary programming. Strong understanding of the links between conservation, development and public health, and of the connections between these fields. Work experience in Madagascar (strongly preferred) Fluency in French and/or Malagasy is essential. Strong written and spoken English. Flexible, hard- working, inclusive and highly organised. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal, team- building and feedback skills. Strong presentation and communication skills. Willingness to travel to remote programme sites where living conditions are basic. Clear commitment to a communities first approach. Application Applicants should apply online by 12th June Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and first- round interviews may be conducted with short- listed candidates before the application deadline.