Project Leader

Project Background

TRAFFIC is implementing a five-year project, Reducing Trade Threats to Africa’s wild species and ecosystems (RETTA). The project’s purpose is to strengthen actions to conserve and protect wildlife populations, areas of high biodiversity, and communities in Africa threatened by illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, with a particular focus on trade to Asia. The project duration is 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2025. As the project enters its fourth year of implementation, TRAFFIC is seeking an experienced Project Leader to guide the team in implementing the key activities and pushing for impact based on the research analysis and recommendations that have been produced through the project to date.

The salary range for this position will be USD 45,000 to USD 55,000 p.a. dependent on skills and experience

JOB DESCRIPTION

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

This position is responsible for leading and ensuring the effective delivery of the overall project in its final two years. Work will require applying an insight-led, results-oriented and collaborative approach, contributing to TRAFFIC’s development in the region and its global strategy to 2030. Critical functions include driving for impact, ensuring plans for influencing change with relevant stakeholders are implemented and impact of the project is tracked. Finalising the project will include ensuring budgets and spending is tightly managed and annual and final donor reporting highlights the impacts the project has made.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Lead responsibility for ensuring the successful implementation of the project, working closely with programme office directors for East/Southern and Central Africa, and coordinating a project team based in both Africa and UK.
• Managing staff, donor liaison and reporting, and annual work plans
• Working closely with the Project Admin/Finance Officer to manage sub-agreements and budgets.
• Leading the compilation of reports, briefing papers and other communication materials, including technical review and sign-off, to ensure quality control and timely submission.
• Developing and implementing research partnership strategies in Africa to strengthen international co-operation addressing trade of illegal wildlife stemming from Africa.
• Developing and implementing advocacy strategies to strengthen international approaches to addressing trans-continental trade of illegal wildlife between Africa and other continents with a primary focus on Asia.
• Proactively managing relationships and fostering dialogue amongst an ‘international community’ of wildlife trade stakeholders and potential project collaborators.
• Other duties as required by the line manager.

Expectations of the Role

• Collaborating and maintaining strong internal relationships with TRAFFIC regional teams in Africa and globally, ensuring all actions are synergistic, complementary and demonstrate value for money.
• Ensuring the technical quality and timely delivery of work plan activities, including conducting a rigorous evaluation of project activities and interventions and suggesting adaptive management approaches to amplify project impact.
• Ensuring adherence to TRAFFIC’s research and data management protocols
• Convening, facilitating and/or chairing meetings and workshops, and consolidating relationships with potential project collaborators.
• Ensuring effective linkages to delivery of TRAFFIC’s wider programme priorities with specific reference to research and building capacity and partnerships to deliver a lasting conservation impact.
• Developing project concepts for potential next phase of funding.

REQUIREMENTS

• A university Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline demonstrating understanding of the subject area.
• Significant professional work experience relevant to nature conservation and sustainable development, preferably within an international NGO and with work experience in at least one African country.
• Excellent understanding of international nature conservation agreements and laws, and of policies and regulations regarding international trade in endangered species.
• Exceptional ability and confidence in communicating and influencing government and intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society, private sector and other conservation partners.
• Proven skills in project management, including planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to strategically identify and expand linkages between ReTTA and TRAFFIC’s wider programme
• Good interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to work effectively as part of a small team, with respect for and sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including budget development, and fundraising experience.
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English
• Communications skills and experience of working with the media.
• A willingness to travel
• An ability to work under pressure.
• Good IT literacy and experience with Microsoft Office.