PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR S. AFRICA NATIONALS OR THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN S.AFRICA

BACKGROUND:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through its South Africa Country Office, is seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Programme Officer to support the implementation of a regional project that contributes to broader Southern African and transboundary environmental initiatives. The position will strengthen coordination between national and regional partners, ensuring that South Africa’s actions align with regional frameworks and commitments under the Global Environment Facility (GEF), IUCN programmes, and related multilateral environmental agreements.

The Project Manager will be a nationally recruited professional, managed by the IUCN South Africa Country Office and reporting jointly to IUCN, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and the Department of Agriculture (DoA). The position will be based at the IUCN South Africa Country Office. Under the supervision of IUCN and in close collaboration with DFFE and DoA, the Project Manager will provide technical, coordination, and administrative support to ensure smooth and effective project implementation.

The Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and support of project activities, ensuring the effective delivery of outputs and achievement of outcomes in accordance with GEF guidelines, national priorities, the project’s results framework, and the policies of the implementing and executing agencies. The incumbent will serve as a key liaison between the executing agency, implementing agency, Technical Advisory Committee, and the Project Steering Committee (PSC).

In addition, the Project Manager will contribute to national and regional resource mobilization efforts, support the implementation of other GEF Southern Africa regional initiatives and partnerships, and help secure complementary funding while promoting the application of IUCN’s Global Standard on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across relevant platforms.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Provide overall technical leadership and ensure high-quality delivery of all project components and outputs.
Facilitate alignment with national and regional programmes, initiatives, and restoration projects.
Lead and manage the GEF 8 SLM Project Management Unit (PMU), including staff, consultants, and contractors.
Coordinate with implementing partners, government agencies, and regional service providers for effective collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Plan, implement, and monitor project outcomes, outputs, and activities in line with approved frameworks, work plans, and budgets.
Support resource mobilization efforts in the region and promote the application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) standards.
Oversee implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and lead knowledge management and reporting processes.
Facilitate project reviews and evaluations, including Mid-Term and Terminal Evaluations, and ensure timely submission of reports.
Provide strategic financial oversight, ensuring proper expenditure management, compliance, and value for money.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership, Project Management, and Administration;
Ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, youth engagement, social inclusion, and climate resilience.
Ensure the technical quality and relevance of project interventions to national and regional priorities.
Ensure project activities are aligned with GEF results-based management frameworks and the Theory of Change.
Facilitate coordination among implementing partners, government agencies, and stakeholders to ensure coherent implementation and reporting.

Coordination, Partnerships and Resource mobilisation;
Serve as the primary liaison with implementing partners, government institutions, community-based organisations, private sector stakeholders, and regional LDN structures and related initiatives such as the Ramsar Convention and UNCCD.
Strengthen multi-stakeholder platforms to promote knowledge sharing, policy coherence, and joint planning.
Represent IUCN in relevant national, regional, and thematic platforms to strengthen visibility, build partnerships, and share lessons learned.
Support other GEF initiatives in the region through technical inputs and knowledge sharing.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Knowledge Management;
Ensure effective dissemination of knowledge products and project results at national, regional, and global levels.
Support capacity building of project staff and partners on M&E and knowledge management systems.
Ensure consistency and quality in data collection, analysis, and reporting to support adaptive management and continuous learning.

Financial and Administrative Oversight;
Monitor financial performance regularly to ensure cost-efficiency, value for money, and timely identification of variances or financial risks.
Ensure financial management aligns with GEF, IUCN, and implementing/executing agency policies and procedures.

Outputs Expected;
Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates assigned programme/projects.
Provides thorough, well-reasoned written contributions, e.g., background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships.
Promulgate coherent policies, and consistent adherence to these by clients. Efficient use of resources.