Area Manager - Bobirwa

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 Bobonong, Botswana

The “Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana’s Communal Rangelands” Project funded by GCF aims to will 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 day-to-day activities of the Project are implemented in each of the three Project Areas, and the Area Manager - Bobirwa will be responsible for supervision and delivery of these activities in the Bobirwa Project Area.

The Area Field Manager reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Party and is responsible for providing leadership, technical expertise, guidance, and management of the GCF project activities on the ground within Project Area.  They manages a diverse set of activities and works to ensure GCF project outcomes and goals further Conservation International’s (CI) human development and conservation priorities. Duties include developing and implementing program and conservation strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change, project management, technical oversight, monitoring, and capacity building. They represents CI and works to build partnerships with district level government, Village Development Committees, regional departments, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), and the private sector located within the Project Area.

The Area Field Manager is responsible for managing and leading field staff and they ensure compliance with CI policies, GCF project and funding agreements, and local requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate the GCF activities implementation within the Project governance structure, namely with key Ministries and Regional staff and with cluster-level implementation partners, and ensure that stakeholder engagement is effective and well aligned to project needs:

• Ensure close communication with regional/local stakeholders (authorities, local government, civil society, local communities and federations, private companies), promote information sharing, best practices and lessons learned:
• Build and manage gender sensitive Rangeland Stewardship Forum as an Area-level coordination mechanism for all relevant civil society and private sector
• Contribute to and review Project communications for appropriateness from the perspective of Project Area stakeholders

Represent CI and the GCF Project at regional events and meetings:

• Ensure the implementation of GCF project activities to outcomes of all Project Activities:
• Ensure delivery and alignment of all Project activities as relevant within Project components Institutional Capacity Building (Component 1), Rangeland Restoration (Component 2) and Economic Development (Component 3) for delivery in targeted Village Grazing Areas and based on best practice from broader Herding for Health model within CI.
• Support stakeholder understanding and support for the Rangeland Stewardship Programme in coordination with the Project-seconded Area-level MoA Rangeland Programme Manager
• Secure Area-level Land Board endorsement for all Rangeland Stewardship Agreements within Project Area as negotiated annually
• Manage the delivery of all Environmental and Safeguards Management Programme (ESMP) and Gender Action Plan activities in Project Area, including the roll-out of a child-care partnership for participants in the EcoRanger Programme in the Area
• Secure at least one additional government, NGO, or private sector partnership support that contributes to the impact and sustainability of the livelihood development activities in the targeted communities
• Manage regional-level conflicts or misunderstandings related to the Project at any level.

Provide day-to-day guidance and leadership and management for the Project Area staff and Farmer Field Teams:

• Ensure compliance with CI policies, GCF project and funding agreement, and local requirements
• Identify capacity-building needs and efforts to address capacity gaps
• Ensure quality data is produced and transferred according to Project protocols into the Rangeland Stewardship Information Portal
• Ensure compliance to the Project Workplan, the ESMP, and Gender Action Plan
• Submit progress reports as required on the Project work plan, the ESMP, and the gender action plan.

Oversee financial and administrative management and authorization as per CI and GCF policies:

• Budget authorization
• Timesheet, travel, and procurement authorization
• Performance management process

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working outside normal working hours.
• Ability to travel frequently in remote areas and in remote communities.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree with agricultural or environmental management background, or equivalent combination of education and experience, plus 4 to 6 years of related experience in multi-disciplinary project management.
• Up to 2 years of supervisory experience. 
• Demonstrated leadership, strong organization, and time management skills.
• At least six years’ experience in planning and project management mainly at the regional/district level.
• Policy knowledge and experience related to land policy and land use in Botswana.
• Knowledge of and experience with job creation programmes and initiatives (i.e. Ipelegeng, etc) in Botswana.
• Good knowledge of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.
• Experience in conservation, rangeland ecology or environmental or livestock or other production aspects.
• Good knowledge of the Project Area.
• Confirmed experience with multidisciplinary team management, with an acute sense of responsibilities and teamwork.
• Experience in community development initiatives and mobilization tools, etc.
• Excellent communication skills, both in writing and verbally in Setswana and English.
• Ability to connect with experiences of a wide range of stakeholders (farmers, local authorities, government institutions, business players, gender focused and youth groups).
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Preferred

• Work experience and existing networks in agriculture, NGOs, community development, local authorities or government at district level.
• Work experience with environmental and social safeguards.
• Experience in sustainable production and relationships with private sector.

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.