Description
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job:
The post-holder will manage regional coordination and implementation of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund. The £100m Biodiverse Landscapes Fund will be delivered across 6 landscapes globally, is owned by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and will be used to fund the advertised role. The Fund will deliver conservation, poverty reduction and climate outcomes across a range of biologically diverse, transboundary landscapes worldwide. The post holder will work to support the implementation of the Fund in the Andes/Amazon landscape, which will span areas across Peru and Ecuador, therefore this this role will have a regional focus. The programme is currently moving towards implementation. Activities under the programme will be delivered by an individual or consortium of delivery partners in each landscape, potentially including international and local conservation and development organisations, community groups and land management organisations. An external Fund Manager is in place to administer and implement the Fund and an Independent Evaluator has been contracted to carry out regular reviews and learning for the programme. The post holder is expected to work with all of these partners and provide an on the ground quality assurance and reporting function for the Defra programme team based in the UK. The post holder will also work to lead and promote wider UK biodiversity objectives in the region and work with host governments on these matters. The post holder will report to Gemma Sykes in the British Embassy Quito, but will work closely with and deliver to the UK based Defra Programme team and the other landscape coordinators.
The post holder will develop and lead strong relationship and engagement management with external contractors, project delivery partners and regional, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders with an interest in the Fund, in both Ecuador and Peru. This is in order to effectively maintain and lead on the ground project oversight, capacity building, regional co-ordination and engagement activities. The post holder will act as Defra’s lead HMG contact in the region, acting to ensure the Fund is implemented effectively and remains aligned to UK government interests and objectives. They will provide regional oversight to the Defra programme team and in turn external contractors working to effectively monitor, implement and evaluate the programme. They will also coordinate a range of administrative, logístical and project management activities. The post holder must be fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish, have excellent organisational prioritisation and coordination skills to meet complex logístical and operational deadlines. They will lead work on behalf of Defra and the Embassies in the region to ensure communication, policy and strategic opportunities provided by the Fund’s activities are identified and delivered. This is in order to raise awareness of the Fund and to capitalise upon the Fund’s activities to achieve wider and long-lasting impacts and identify opportunities for strategic link up.
The post holder will have strong communication skills, be able to work in a team and independently. They must also be able to engage effectively and develop excellent working relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders at local, national and international levels. While the post will be based in Quito, they will be required to work closely with others across the region and in the UK. They will also provide wider mission critical support to the Embassy as required. Occasional internal and international travel will be required.
Roles and responsibilities:
Programme Support - 25%
- Work effectively with the Defra programme team in the UK, external contractors and regional colleagues to review implementation of the programme.
- Monitor and assess risks and opportunities associated with the programme, reporting clearly to the programme team.
- Identify errors or problems, take action as necessary to resolve and/or notify others in the team.
- Write clear reports and briefings as required.
- Assist with the orientation of visiting UK officials or contractors associated with the Fund, providing local knowledge and understanding.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement - 40%
- Build a network and communicate with a wide range of professionals at a local, national, regional and international scale.
- Work with the Communications Officers regionally and in the UK to create and deliver publicity for the programme.
- Provide an effective and professional service when liaising with colleagues, partners, stakeholders and the public using tact and diplomacy to encourage effective working.
- Respond to enquiries from key stakeholders to provide information in line with agreed protocols and procedures.
- Support the planning of meetings, high level events and conferences.