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African Wildlife Foundation has been active in conservation in Uganda for almost four decades. We are currently seeking a dynamic leader to oversee and drive AWF’s conservation program in Uganda. The Country Director is responsible for providing overall leadership, strategic focus, management, and accountability for AWF’s programs in Uganda. This position reports to the Vice President Programs, East & Southern Africa. The Country Director will oversee the successful implementation of programs in Uganda, work with AWF senior management to design new programs, and grow AWF’s conservation and development portfolio in the country.
The Country Director is expected to be a highly visible individual in the conservation sector able to manage programs with ecological, social, political, cultural, and economic complexities. S/he is expected to be results-oriented and able to provide leadership to a team of highly qualified professionals to achieve results and meet program targets and goals. S/he will be expected to exercise a high degree of decision making and sound judgment. The Country Director is expected to liaise directly with his/her supervisor and directly with relevant technical staff in HQ for various programs including but not limited to the Canines for Conservation Program and Classroom Africa Program.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Program Oversight and Implementation
- Provide overall leadership for the development, management, and successful implementation of programs in Uganda.
- Ensure program activities are based on strong evidence-based conservation that result in sustainable outcomes for conservation and communities.
- Manage day-to-day program operations, which include effective team management, effective administration and tracking of project finances, program monitoring and evaluation, timely donor reporting, and effective coordination between project implementing partners and AWF staff.
- Ensure full compliance with any donor agreements and AWF policies and procedures.
- Oversee sub-grantees and facilitate technical assistance for effective conservation outcomes.
- Provide leadership in tracking and reporting of program performance against prescribed criteria to AWF and partners in a timely manner.
- Develop excellent working relationships with major stakeholder groups, national governments, protected area authorities, local government, community and private sector, in the region.
- Build and manage a team of professional staff; ensure roles & responsibilities are clearly defined and performance is managed with the required focus and discipline.
- Work with AWF’s Finance Department to develop and track working annual budgets, ensure efficient use of resources and eliminate fraud.
- Ensure quarterly and yearly means of verification (MOVs) are defined and delivered in a timely manner.
Program Development & Growth
- Support the expansion of AWF’s conservation and development portfolio in Uganda.
- Help design, develop and build new programs in Uganda that meet AWF’s objectives and mission.
- Participate in and support the development and design of funding proposals for submission to key donors for support of the program.
- Keep abreast of relevant programs and opportunities in Uganda for AWF involvement, including funding opportunities, and link as appropriate relevant staff to opportunities such as Program Design and Philanthropy.
- Represent AWF at national and district government levels and with other donors to ensure effective collaboration and maintenance of AWF’s reputation and role as a conservation leader in Uganda.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate qualification (MSc or PhD) in natural sciences, social science, economics or any other field directly related to conservation.
- Minimum 12+ years of proven managerial and field experience in conservation and development.
- Proven experience in leading the implementation of large and complex projects in Uganda with a solid understanding of conservation in Uganda and how to deliver effective sustainable conservation programs that benefit wildlife and communities.
- Results focused orientation with proven track record of delivery.
- Proven ability in managing and motivating a highly qualified team of professionals in different fields.
- Good understanding of financial management and budgeting.
- Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
- Proven experience leading and managing large complex projects budgets, delivering and reporting results, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to build coalitions, negotiate, and manage conflict situations.
- Outstanding communication skills with ability to clarify vision and strategy.
- Experience working with different levels of government (especially senior levels) and partners in Uganda.
- Genuine respect for the skills and perspectives of communities, partner organizations and the private sector.
- Good report writing skills and working knowledge of computers and MS Office software package.
- Sound understanding and motivational fit in conservation.
- Commitment to AWF and its mission.
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