H4H Technical Senior Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Gaborone, Botswana

The “Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands” Project funded by GCF aims to utilize collective management of livestock and ecosystems to restore Botswana’s communal rangelands, increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable populations and reducing GHG emissions. Over 8 years, the project will undertake activities in 104 villages in Ngamiland, Kgalagadi, and Bobirwa districts of Botswana. In these three districts, the Project is targeting improved management of 4.6 million hectares of rangelands.

The H4H (Herding for Health) Technical Senior Manager oversees technical activities for GCF Project to help achieve project outcomes. Key duties include designing an adaptive management of training for all project staff, Ipelegeng employees, partner organizations, and direct beneficiaries (thousands of individuals trained), providing technical oversight, and managing partnerships and capacity-building programs. 

The H4H Technical Senior Manager plays a lead role in the project’s planning process, including providing analysis, reports, and other relevant information.  They serve as a technical resource for the project and provide decision-makers with the relevant technical data needed to implement conservation priorities and outcomes in line with the H4H model.

The Technical Senior Manager is responsible for managing a range of technical duties including working closely with local, regional, and HQ technical staff to deliver high-quality technical support. They monitor progress and provide periodic technical reports on progress against goals. The H4H Technical Senior Manager oversees external partnerships including engaging external partners and building partner capacity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the DCoP and CoP to coordinate the overall technical delivery of the GCF Implementation Plan, implementing activities across 104 village grazing areas covering 4.6 million hectares of rangeland.
• Ensure that site-based technical leads are effectively managing projects in line with best practices for regenerative agriculture, particularly focusing on regenerative livestock management and rangelands management, with a specific emphasis on dryland ecosystems.
• Take a leading role in the comprehensive planning process by identifying and prioritizing technical activities essential for the successful realization of the project’s H4H strategies and outcomes.
• Supervise, monitor, and cultivate the work of restoration workers, ensuring that partners are equipped with the necessary technical information and framework to execute action plans and achieve H4H conservation outcomes. Additionally, track overall results to meet specified indicators.
• Act as the liaison between the project and the H4H regional team, ensuring that all interventions align with H4H best practices and regional strategies.
• Collaborate closely with the Area Manager and Farmer Facilitation Leads to ensure the smooth execution of grazing plans and the adoption of sustainable livestock management practices.
• Develop annual training plans, and metrics for H4H restoration workers and eco-rangers. This includes field team development and deployment tailored to each local area and cluster.
• Support the development of spatially explicit conservation actions that balance wildlife migratory corridors, biodiversity conservation, conflicts with crop farmers, and sustainable water management for improved ecosystem and livelihood resilience to climate change. 
• Provide technical input for training manuals, fact sheets, toolkits, online courses, and other learning materials.
• Work closely with training partners, such as BUAN, to ensure that the training is relevant and includes H4H-specific material.
• Additionally, if necessary, conduct H4H training for identified groups and stakeholders to support the implementation of CI and partner projects.
• Engage with local communities to promote the adoption of collective grazing plans that support rangeland rehabilitation and improve livestock health.
• Ensure that traditional knowledge and local practices are integrated into the project’s approach, aligning with community needs and cultural contexts.
• Develop technical action plans that include herding for health outcomes. Monitor the local, national and regional arena for threats and opportunities and update action plans as needed.
• Identify implementation risks early, and address as appropriate to ensure targets are met.
• Collaborate with the M&E team to track and measure the progress of H4H activities, ensuring that rangeland rehabilitation, livestock management, and community engagement targets are met.
• Support the collection of data related to rangeland health, livestock performance, and carbon sequestration, contributing to the project’s overall impact assessment.
• Provide regular reports on H4H activities and progress to the DCoP and the H4H regional team.
• Support research and knowledge generation interventions and testing of innovations in field sites.
• Provide periodic reports and assessments on progress against goals for internal and external stakeholders. Assess progress and refine action plans and outcomes as needed
• Identify opportunities to scale the H4H model across additional regions, ensuring sustainability beyond the project’s lifespan.
• Support the integration of H4H practices into national policies and strategies related to rangeland management and livestock production.
• Work with the private sector to facilitate market access for climate-smart livestock products from communal farmers, creating incentives for sustainable practices.
• Represent CI as key H4H technical resource and build alliances, engage key external stakeholders including government and NGO officials, and others critical to project success.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the project and the H4H regional team, facilitating knowledge sharing and ensuring alignment with regional goals.
• Promote capacity-building programs.  Work closely with project and regional staff to enhance collaboration and partnership initiatives; continually look for opportunities to strengthen capacity building and partnership efforts.
• Provide H4H technical inputs to CI rangelands conservation policy papers and communication materials as well as influencing processes when needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working outside normal working hours.
• Ability to travel frequently in remote areas and in remote communities.
• High adaptability to difficult conditions.
• Ability for teamwork.
• Supporting the staff in the implementation of other activities outside of its main responsibilities if needed.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree with an agricultural or environmental management background. 
• 5 to 7 years’ related experience in multi-disciplinary project management.
• Up to 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in working with large government job creation programmes.
• Experience formulating strategies to achieve goals, developing and implementing plans, and reporting on progress.
• Strong experience in Climate Change, livestock, rangeland ecology, herding, and job creation projects with strong project management skills and experience.
• Proven ability to understand, interpret, and apply technical and scientific information and data to achieve tangible results.
• Strong technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent skills in utilizing Excel spreadsheet and database management software.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse work groups in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results.

Preferred

• Experience with communal land issues and management arrangements or community conservation agreements.
• Knowledge of H4H model added advantage.
• Experience and/or prior knowledge of ecosystem-based adaptation and mitigation projects, meat value chains, or accredited professional development and job creation programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity-building initiatives or training and development.
• Experience and willingness to support staff in the implementation of other activities outside of its main responsibilities if needed.
• Verbal communication skills in Setswana and/or an additional language in the Project target areas.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: January 3, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.