BENGO PROJECT MANAGER: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION SUPPORT FOR SOUTH- EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MANAGED AREAS PROJECT 94 views1 applications

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF

INTEREST

BENGO PROJECT MANAGER: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION SUPPORT FOR SOUTH- EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MANAGED AREAS PROJECT

1. Background

WWF Zimbabwe is participating in the implementation of a climate change adaptation support project funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through its BENGO climate-funding facility for a six-month period starting November 2020. The project is being undertaken southern Kenya and northern Tanzania and in the Kavango- Zambezi region of Zambia and Zimbabwe, areas of unique ecosystems of outstanding importance for the protection of global biodiversity. The project areas still have large continuous natural areas with viable populations of numerous endangered species living alongside people who are particularly dependent on the conservation of these ecosystems, their biodiversity and their services. Nature tourism is overally the most important economic sector complimented by other economic activities reliant on functioning ecosystems such as forest management and livestock and crop farming, generating income for the majority of the local population. In the two project regions, the conservancies and communal management areas play a significant role in protecting and preserving these ecosystems while providing functioning models of how ecosystems can be managed in a participatory manner to achieve greater value. The mentioned ecosystems are however increasingly affected by impacts of climate change, such as more frequent droughts and sporadic heavy rainfall, which are exacerbated by increasingly unsustainable forms and intensities of use such as overgrazing, a growing population and increased economic development pressure. Currently, councils and their respective local communities are also hard hit by the global Covid-19 pandemic which has drastically reduced tourism and thus cut off income flows to communities and protected areas threatened their very existence. There is therefore an urgent need for the adaptation and diversification of income flows and a short to medium-term need for support to maintain and strengthen the proven community structures for the future and to adapt them to the rapidly changing climate and economic conditions.

1. Objectives

The main objective of the consultancy assignment is to ensure the effective and efficient management of the BMZ/BENGO Climate Change Adaptation Project in Zimbabwe. The project manager will assume responsibility for day-to-day management of the project, ensuring project’s resources are used in an effective, accountable and consultative manner and in accordance with WWF and BMZ/BENGO donor regulations and ensuring that workplans are implemented effectively to deliver expected outputs and objects within the given time frame. It is also the Program Manager’s responsibility to develop and maintain strong relations with and to provide guidance and support to partner organizations.

1. Scope of assignment

To cover the objectives of the assignment, the consultant will be expected to:

1. Regularly consult with WWF staff, partner organizations, target groups and service providers to ensure the timely implementation and completion of planned activities by April 30, 2021; Ensure free-prior and informed consent of all target groups before start of project implementation;

Supervise and ensure the implementation and monitoring of mitigation plans for environmental and social safeguards according to WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) including grievance mechanisms; Developandregularlyupdateamonitoringplanonprojectimplementationandoutcomesand respond to any delays or other problems occurring; Submit monthly reports on project progress to WWF management, highlighting any actual or potential problems that may lead to delays in implementation and proposed corrective measures;

Update work and budget plans if required to avoid delays and based on agreement with WWF and donor;

Oversee and support all procurement activities of WWF and partner organizations in close cooperation with the BENGO Project Administrator;
Regularly visit target areas to confirm smooth implementation of planned activities and investments; Compileandreviewmonthlyprogressreportsfrompartnerorganizationsandrespondtoany support needs;

Prepare project reports to WWF and Donor according to required formats and within set deadlines;

Supervise and ensure efficiency, effectiveness and comprehensive documentation of capacity development measures carried out by partner organizations;

Organize and lead weekly meetings(physical or virtual) with WWF and Partners staff to update on activities carried out in previous week and activities planned for following week;

Respond to queries of WWF, Donor or 3rd parties and disseminate requested information accordingly in a timely manner;

Ensure compliance of all project activities with WWF policies, in particular with regard to human rights, indigenous people, fraud and corruption and gender;
Represent the BENGO project at meetings and workshops as required;
Document and disseminate lessons learnt to WWF, partners and Donor;

DELIVERABLES

Minutes of weekly calls on project progress updates with Partners and WWF staff;
Monthly project progress reports submitted to SOKNOT and BENGO program coordinators; Reports to WWF Germany and BMZ/BENGO donor as requested within agreed deadlines; Final project report by April 30, 2021.

1. Qualifications of the Consultant: A Master’s degree or above in environmental and natural resource management or related subject with good knowledge of best practices in climate change adaptation; At least 5 years of professional experience in managing large projects; Experience in working with NGOs, civil society organizations and local communities; Work experience in the KAZA region of Zimbabwe is an added advantage; Experience with WWF and/or BMZ/BENGO specific finance and procurement regulations is an added advantage; Demonstrated ability to handle complex process and information integration issues; Ability to effectively coordinate and motivate project staff; Ability to maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader; Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision. Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-interest, multi-ethnic environment; Capacity of assuming a leading role, often in situations under pressure, in defining and implementing projects with teams of individuals of different culture and background; Excellent organization skills; Good oral and written communications skills.
2. 1. 1. Duration and location of the assignment

   It is envisaged that consultancy will be for seven months between November 2020 and May 2021 and will be carried out in Harare with field travel.