Project Manager – Wildlife Conservation for Development

The Project Manager will oversee the implementation of the Wildlife Conservation for Development project in Ethiopia, coordinating activities to improve biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and community resilience. The role involves stakeholder engagement, team leadership, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure project success and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee overall management of the project across all components.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive project implementation plan in line with GEF and UNDP guidelines.
• Coordinate all project activities, ensuring alignment with objectives, timelines, and budget.
• Revise and approve work plans and terms of reference submitted by technical coordinators at EWCA and EBI.
• Facilitate adaptive management based on monitoring findings.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), UNDP, GEF, Global Warming Potential (GWP), and other stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and private sector partners.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings and consultations to ensure inclusive project design and implementation.
• Promote project achievements through regular updates to stakeholders and the public.
• Supervise, mentor, and periodically evaluate project personnel to ensure effective performance and delivery.
• Establish strong team spirit through capacity building and fostering ethical standards among project personnel.
• Provide technical guidance on biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, and sustainable development practices.
• Manage project budgets and financial resources in compliance with UNDP, GEF, and government financial procedures.
• Ensure harmonized financial management across institutions.
• Oversee resource mobilization efforts to support project sustainability.
• Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess project performance and impact.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely progress reports to EWCA, UNDP, GWP, GEF, and other partners.
• Prepare and submit high-quality technical documents and policy briefs.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices in wildlife conservation and sustainable development.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Natural Resource Management, Conservation, Wildlife Management, Environmental Science or related fields is required.
• Or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in protected areas and wildlife management.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in managing large-scale conservation or development projects, preferably with international funding (e.g., GEF, UNDP).
• Demonstrated experience in strong leadership and team management.
• Experience in project planning, coordination, and organizational abilities.
• Proficient in financial and budget management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other computer applications necessary for project management and protected area/biodiversity conservation.
• Expertise in biodiversity conservation strategies and sustainable development principles.
• Proven experience in protected area and wildlife conservation, community-based natural resource management, or ecosystem restoration.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, including government, NGOs, local communities, and international organizations.
• Experience in financial and administrative management of donor-funded projects.
• Experience in implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Proven experience and participation in knowledge management platforms such as the Global Wildlife Program
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of local language is desired

Skills

• Natural Resource Management
• Wildlife Management
• Environmental Sciences
• Protected Areas Management
• Conservation Project Management
• International Funding Management
• Leadership and People Management
• Project Planning
• Project Coordination
• Finance Management
• Budget Management
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Biodiversity Conservation Strategies
• Sustainable Development
• Community-Based Resource Management
• Ecosystem Restoration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Donor-funded Project Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Knowledge Management

Languages

English