Programme Manager – Power of Voices Program World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Position Title: Program Manager: Power of Voices Programme

Reports to: Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Manager- WWF Zambia

Supervises: Field based staff – Power of voices programme

Location: Mazabuka, Zambia

Context:

Climate change is taking a toll on Zambia in many ways. The impacts of droughts, floods, and rise in temperature, among others are compounded by high poverty levels, human induced ecological degradation, and weak financing systems for climate action; resulting in formidable challenges for climate justice, particularly for vulnerable groups. Due to high poverty levels, the rural and urban poor depend more on natural resources for their food, water, and energy security in the Lower Kafue and Lusaka areas. When drought leads to crop failure, communities must resort to exploiting water, wildlife and forest products and the overexploitation of these resources has over time led to degradation of the ecosystem that Zambian people so heavily rely on. Additionally, the majority of Zambians are largely practicing mono-cropping of maize crop which is highly vulnerable to climate variabilities leading to the lack of diversity in food production and consumption contributing to high levels of malnutrition and threatening food security in Lusaka. Additionally, the large proportion of hydropower in the electricity mix leaves the country exposed to the variability of rainy seasons threatening the energy security of Zambians.

Women, youth, and other marginalized groups and other vulnerable groups are feeling the consequences of this unsustainable system and are disproportionately affected by climate change due to deeply entrenched gender roles, differential access to and control over resources, as well as lack of participation in decision making structures, which limits their agency over climate solutions. Furthermore, the climate crisis responds inadequately to vulnerable groups and does not account for existing power imbalances. Climate change impacts continue to widen the development gap between low and high income populations.

In response to this context, WWF Zambia and its consortium partners (Hivos Zambia, South North- SSN, Akina Mama, and Slum Dwellers International – SDI) will implement a five-year climate adaptation programme covering 9 Districts around Lusaka and the lower Kafue landscape. The programme focuses on building a just transition to a low carbon and climate resilient future for Zambia through stimulating strong civil society leadership in climate adaptation and local resilience building, largely at the grass root level.

Specifically, WWF will lead implementation of key components of the power of voices programme related to the following key components:

Joint lobbying and advocacy to make policy and financial flows responsive to locally shaped climate solutions
Climate agenda setting and movement building at the local level
Mutual capacity strengthening for co-creating alternative solutions, including sustainable livelihoods
WWF Zambia is seeking to employ a programme Manager based in Mazabuka. The role is central to the successful set up and roll out of the power of voices in 5 out of the 9 targeted Districts for which WWF will undertake interventions. The position will lead programme delivery, maintain strong focus on government relations and partner engagements and aims to deepen and to set up and coordinate all WWF activities in this landscape. This position will deepen WWF’s technical and institutional understanding of the climate adaptation response in Lusaka and the lower Kafue.

Major Function

The Programme Manager plays the lead role in the planning, coordination, and management of WWF’s multi-sectoral landscape-based interventions on climate adoption in the Kafue flats. The role is in charge of setting up the programme in this landscape, gaining the support of government and traditional officials at senior level by establishing partnerships for programme implementation and supporting research activities on the ground.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Development – set-up and lead, with key partners and stakeholders, the development, implementation and monitoring of a shared climate adaptation agenda for the Kafue flats
Lobby and Advocacy Initiatives – implement key components of the Joint advocacy and lobby strategy for the programme, assigned to WWF Zambia
Programme Management – oversee the integrated planning and delivery of climate adaptation, nature based solutions and green finance targets as per approved programme work-plan and budgets and as committed by WWF to the POV alliance in Zambia
People Management – oversee the performance of the programme team, ensuring optimal coordination, team works and communication for effective delivery of all interventions on climate adaptation at field level.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning – ensure that key PMEL deliverables are met on the programme including facilitation of a baseline study, mid-term evaluation and end term evaluation. Additionally, the programme manager will ensure a clear M and E plan is implemented to support quality programme delivery.
Financial Management – supervise thorough financial planning, management and monitoring of budget performance of the programme, working with support from the programme grant accountant. Ensure timely submission of the programme financial reports to the finance manager.
Communication – support development of key communications channels for the programme and supervise the production of IEC materials.
Working Relationships

Internal:

• WWF Zambia: Interact on a regular basis with the WWF Zambia policy lead (Government relations and strategic partnerships manager), Conservation Manager, Technical Teams and Finance Team. Engage with and support WWF Zambia staff to understand and contribute towards the climate adaption programme.

External:

• Maintain liaison with all alliance members through as a member of the country coordination technical team
• Interact with strategic partners

Role Profile: Required Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

• A MSc degree or higher in the field of Social Sciences, Development Studies and/or natural resource management.

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in natural resource management with a focus on climate adaptation
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in programme management
• Experience in lobby and advocacy
• Experience of building influential community institutions and supporting communities to derive equitable and sustainable economic benefits from natural resources.
• Experience in working in a rural district context.
• Proven experience with the financial management of donor funded projects.

Knowledge

• Broad knowledge of the Kafue wetlands ecosystem
• Strong Knowledge of nature based solutions to climate adaptation
• Sound knowledge of climate adaptation approaches and solutions
• Understanding of good governance principles and practices with regard to CBOs and grassroots organizations.
• Good knowledge about the traditional systems and culture in the Kafue flats

Skills and Competencies:

• An excellent and inspiring team manager.
• A good communicator, skilled in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and team working.
• Proficient writing, speaking and listening skills in English
• Strong planning and analytical skills for monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Adherence to WWF Global behavioral competencies:

• Strive for Impact «I am results driven. Everything I do, the way I think, plan and implement is driven by a relentless search for impact. »
• Listen Deeply «I go beyond my point of view and strive to see the bigger picture from different perspectives. I stay curious and listen deeply to what others have to say. »
• Collaborate Openly «I’m a global citizen working for a living planet. I am constantly thinking of how with others, together, we can be more impactful. I work across boundaries, openly ask for help and share what I know, both internally and externally. »
• Innovate Fearlessly «I take risks to find better solutions. I measure progress and learn from mistakes. I share both success & failures. I encourage others to do the same. »
• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

This job description is in line with WWF’s values: Courage, Collaboration, Respect, and Integrity