The Wildlife Conservation Society

The Wildlife Conservation Society - Indonesia Program (WCS-IP) is seeking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Manager Conservation Science with the following terms: TOR PROGRAM MANAGER CONSERVATION SCIENCE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY – INDONESIA PROGRAM Background The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has a distinguished history of scientists exploring and saving wildlife in some of the most remote and wild places remaining on Earth. WCS has long recognized that successful conservation requires a long-term commitment to individuals and places. Such a commitment has defined the culture and style of the Global Conservation Program, including the Indonesia Program. The Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program (WCS-IP) has significantly grown over the last decades, and contributed substantially to the conservation of biodiversity in Indonesia. We currently work in several landscapes in Sumatra and Sulawesi where we aim at protecting threatened species and their habitat. In order to achieve our overall goal of saving wildlife and wild places, the WCS-IP programs are strongly supported and backed up by conservation science, as it provides us with a thorough understanding of the theory and practice of conservation. Conservation science provides a strong scientific foundation for sound programmatic planning and decision-making, and thereby helps us to develop more effective interventions in protecting wildlife and wild places. To increase the effectiveness of our conservation interventions and strengthen the role of science as a cornerstone of our organization, WCS-IP has decided to establish a new unit, called Conservation Science. WCS-IP is looking for a strong and motivated Program Manager to lead and expand this newly established unit in line with WCS-IP Strategic Plan. The Program Manager will be required to plan, manage and monitor all projects under the unit. The work will cover both field interventions as well as on policy development. The work will include but will not be limited to plan, execute and analyze all scientific research under WCS-IP projects (e.g. large mammal population and occupancy surveys, phenology surveys, and monitoring Maleo nesting sites). The incumbent will be expected to develop research and survey methodologies, organize and manage field research, analyze data, and develop scientific reports. Scientific research may include population and occupancy surveys, camera trapping surveys, and ecology and behavioral studies. The Progam Manager is expected to translate the scientific data into improved conservation interventions and policy development. The position will be based in Bogor, with regular trips to the field to provide direct technical advice, monitoring and oversight to the projects. The Program Manager will work under the general supervision of the Director and Deputy Director for Program Development of the WCS-IP, as well as work closely together with other colleagues in the office as a team. Depending on the scope of the projects, the Program Manager will be supported by program officers and assistants in Bogor and project officers in the field. The position will be available for a period of six months from August 1, 2012, with possibility of extension depending on available funding. The Program Manager will be responsible to: Development of scientific research Ø Compile and analyse existing research data and information, as well as relevant data from secondary sources as a basis for developing new research strategies. Ø Develop strategies to stimulate new research supporting improved conservation interventions and actions and discuss with Director and Deputy Director for approval. Ø Develop research methodologies and facilitate data gathering using a scientifically-sound designs. Ø Select relevant project staff and partners, and provide them with training and close supervision of in data collection, entry, management and analysis to ensure that scientific quality is maintained throughout the research period. Ø Provide oversight of research and scientific advice, through direct participation or regular checks of field teams to ensure that research is conducted in line with operational plan and budget. Ø Analyze and interpret the data and or provide oversight in the analysis of the data, and translate the research outcomes into action as a basis for implementing successful conservation interventions and policies, which can be disseminated amongst partners and key-stakeholders. Ø Provide inputs for strategic assessments, policy development and reporting. Ø Develop innovative and holistic approaches to conservation science, based on integrating conservation issues with livelihoods, DRR, NRM, climate change, food security and gender. Ø Providing cross program and shared learning support to other units in WCSIP on how to integrate findings from scientific research into all conservation programs in WCS-IP. Program and project Management Ø Providing technical support to the Program Officers and Project teams, and oversight and backstopping to all project activities, as well as other counterparts in the area of project management, including planning, implementation, and assuming quality control through monitoring, and evaluation. Ø Leading and coordinating the implementation and administration of all projects under this program, including oversight in developing of operational and M&E plans, and ensuring that approved workplans and activities are undertaken in a timey manner in line with budgetary means, as well as adapt the objectives, strategies, workplans and budgets as circumstances dictate, ensuring that annual, mid-term and end-of-project targets will be met. Ø Support the Program Officers in recruiting, managing and supervising field staff in close coordination with HR Manager, including development of Terms of Reference, individual workplans and conducting performance evaluations, planning and monitoring work and travel schedules. Ø Selecting, managing and supervising partners and sub-contractors to implement activities and produce deliverables in timely fashion, including developing Terms of Reference, providing assistance in their selection and recruitment process, coordinating sub-contractor work, and monitor and evaluate their deliverables, and ensure that they are submitted in a timely manner. Ø Preparing activity reports and assisting in preparing financial reports as required by donors and/or stakeholders, in Indonesian or English, written or verbal, as well as submit monthly technical report to the Deputy Director for Program development. Ø Providing capacity building and technical support to Program team, including program officers, program assistants, project officers, and other project staff to ensure that the projects are effective and achieve targets. Ø Documenting lessons learned from project implementation and develop briefing notes for Deputy Director for Program Development for improving implementation and coordination of project activities, support decision-making processes and knowledge management within WCS-IP. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Ø Liaising and establishing good working relationships and/or strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as local government, forestry department, academia, NGOs, private sector, donors and others to ensure the successful coordination, implementation and follow-up of project activities, as well as the mobilization of additional resources to the projects. Ø Provide technical and facilitating support to meetings, seminars, workshops and public outreach activities as required and formally represent WCS as necessary in such meetings, workshops and conferences. Ø Writing regular updates on the project activities, including news flashes and updates for WCS-IP website and other social media postings, and articles for brochures, leaflets, and printing media. Ø Writing and publishing research findings and scientific papers in close coordination with line supervisor on a regular basis in scientific journals, policy papers and technical report. Project Development Ø Providing inputs regarding the vision and strategy for WCS-IP. Participate as a member of WCS-IP to plan, implement, monitor, and periodically update WCS’ strategic approach to conservation in Indonesia. Ø Developing project proposals, by compiling information, documenting lessons from projects, developing future strategies and sharing and discussing ideas and concept notes with Deputy Director for Program Development. Others Ø Undertake any other duties, as assigned by the Deputy Director for Program Development and Director of WCS-IP. Job Requirements Qualifications The postholder should preferably have a postgraduate qualification in biological, ecological sciences and/or a related discipline. Experience • Strong background in conservation biology and sciences. • Strong background in biological field research, including developing methodologies, collecting and analyzing data such as occupancy, population density, ecology, etc. • At least 12 years working experience with 5 years in managerial level. • Proven track record of program management, including project development, implementation and backstopping, staff supervision and budget oversight. Competencies • Strong managerial capacities, as well as strategic technical and intellectual skills in conservation science, scientific research, and policy development. • Leadership, results-orientation, team-building. • Strong facilitation, coordination, networking and negotiation skills. • Good analytical and planning skills; ability to set forecasts and refine/review them in the light of experience and further analysis. • Strong sense for innovation and new approaches to conservation. • Decisiveness and independence. • good judgement, ability to work under pressure. • Ability to maintain financial and technical control of projects in the field. • Good report writing and presentation skills. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • MS Office, as well as database and other analytical software. • Excellent writing skills in both English and Indonesian. Please note that the above TOR constitutes only the main responsibilities and duties of this position. As WCS-IP is a flexible organization, staff members are expected to undertake any other tasks that are allocated to them but which are not part of their regular TOR. Apply by email to the Admin & HR Manager – WCS Indonesia Program at recruitment@wcsip.org. Your application should include a short covering letter, an up-to-date CV, and three professional references. Deadline: 17 August 2012. No correspondence, only short-listed candidates will be notified.