Overview
The Manager Sustainable Land Management will provide leadership in planning, resource mobilization, project proposal development, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for projects related to biodiversity, land restoration, forestry, and wildlife conservation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical support for project implementation, including LDN projects and other related areas.
- Coordinate with national and state project management units for annual work plan preparation and implementation.
- Lead the development and implementation of national and regional LDN strategies and action plans.
- Assist in the development of technical project plans, including timelines, resources, and budget.
- Support the establishment and validation of an LDN baseline and assessment of LDN trends.
- Oversee the technical implementation of project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals.
- Prepare documentation and presentations for UNDP management.
- Establish linkages with similar existing projects and coordinate with other UN initiatives.
- Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Supervise and support landscape-based project teams in planning, implementation, and monitoring of restoration activities.
- Align LDN efforts with national priorities and global conventions.
- Support capacity building of state-level agencies and local stakeholders.
- Monitor project activities and ensure accurate and timely reporting as per donor/UNDP guidelines.
- Lead and facilitate project audits and comply with recommendations.
- Oversee project procurement and ensure timely contract management and payments.
- Prepare and submit progress reports to the National Project Steering Committee, UNDP, and GEF.
- Contribute to mid-term reviews and terminal evaluations.
- Carry out field visits to track progress and take corrective action.
- Ensure compliance of project activities with UNDP and GEF Social and Environmental Standards.
- Facilitate preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the project Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
- Lead coordination and reporting between the Ministry, UNDP, and other stakeholders.
- Substantively contribute to harnessing effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
- Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts.
- Provide technical support to implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and partners.
- Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.
- Support communication and outreach to synthesize success stories, best practices, and lessons learned.
- Develop knowledge products such as factsheets, brochures, and publications.
- Support the development of knowledge management platforms and dissemination of knowledge products.
- Help create project visibility through various platforms, including events and social media.
- Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information within project teams and across other teams.
- Work on potential project outreach plans and their execution.
Required Experience
Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience working on programmes and projects related to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, climate adaptation, natural resource management, or related fields. Must have served as a project manager or technical expert in at least two projects on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, land restoration, natural resource management, or related fields, and have experience managing a team. Demonstrated experience in mobilizing resources for conservation and restoration projects, including co-financing through public-private partnerships, along with strong writing, communication, and stakeholder-engagement skills. Experience with central/state government departments and UN agencies (e.g., World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, FAO), strong knowledge of gender issues and gender-mainstreaming, familiarity with UN/GEF project management policies and procedures, and the ability to liaise with government, donors, and private-sector partners. Experience in managing remote and decentralized teams and multi-stakeholder coordination.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in Forestry / Agriculture / Ecology / Environmental Science or related fields is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor´s degree) in Forestry / Agriculture / Ecology / Environmental Science or related fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience.
