TERMS OF REFERENCE: Programme Coordinator

Background

Wetlands International is dedicated to safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people and nature. We are driven by the knowledge that safeguarding and restoring wetlands is urgent and vital for water security, biodiversity, climate regulation, sustainable development and human health. Our global not-for-profit network of 20 independent offices is governed by a Supervisory Council and a Board of the Association of 35 national government and non-governmental organization members. We bring knowledge into policy and practice, connect local actions in 100 countries to make a global difference, we catalyse actions that support those that use or depend on wetlands, and we are passionate about the positive change we make for people and nature.

In Ethiopia, Wetlands International is implementing various projects (Source to Sea, Ziway-Shalla Basin in Balance project (ZSBiB-SWF), Sustainable Agricultural Water management (SaWeL) and WASH SDG in the Central Rift Valley and the Omo- Gibe sub-basins in Ethiopia. These projects are implemented with a range of stakeholders, such as the the Ministry of Water and Energy and its Rift Valley Lakes Basin Administration Office (RVLBDo), Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Meki-Batu Small Holder Cooperatives Union, Joytech, Acacia Water, World Waternet and the relevant local, regional and national government bodies.

Overall Job Purpose

The Programme Coordinator will have overall responsibility for strategic management, program development, leadership on policy and advocacy, and fundraising, financial management, security and operations management of the Ethiopia Country Programme in compliance to Wetlands International global and regional relevant policies and procedures.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Strategic Management of the country programme

• Lead in the development of the Ethiopia Country strategy, ensuring it is aligned with Wetland International’s Theory of Change and regional and global Strategic direction and priority thematic areas.
• Spearhead the development of the Country’s annual plans and budgets in accordance with set guidelines and procedures.

2. Programme Development and Management

• Provide guidance to project managers in designing programmes within the priority thematic areas.
• Ensure quality output of the Country Programme by maintaining oversight on the implementation of programme activities and promoting positive donor relations.
• Maintain partnerships with other national and international organisations to coalesce around strategic issues of common interest and benefit from joined-up approaches to leverage opportunities for resource mobilisation.
• Ensure compliance with internal processes such as annual planning, mid-term reviews, annual reporting, strategic planning and reviewing and other organisation-wide initiatives through effective leadership and coordination with country and regional management teams.

2.       Resource Development

• Lead in new and ongoing fundraising efforts for the country
• Meet and establish relations with existing and potential donors to build strong fundraising networks

4. Representation

• Represent and manage in-country relations with relevant government ministries, media as well as local and international organisations
• Represent Wetlands International in high-profile conferences, workshops and other relevant forums to build organisational profile

5. Operations Management

• Ensure compliance of programme expenditure as per donor guidelines and WI’s policies and control procedures
• Ensure the security of staff and assets of the country programme and orient teams and visitors to Ethiopia country programme as appropriate.
• Perform a periodic review of accounts for accuracy and adherence to policies.
• Oversee implementation of human resource policies and procedures in the country programme.
• Oversee recruitment and development of talent
• Oversee performance management of staff
• Ensure the collection, collation and reporting of all project data and documents including timely submission of quality reports according to the agreed formats and guidelines

Location: Addis Ababa with travel within Ethiopia

Reports to: Director, Eastern Africa

Responsible for: Country Programme Staff (programme, finance and operation staff)

Contract length: One year initial contract with a possibility of extension

Relations with Others: Regional Office staff, Wetlands International Global Office staff

• At least 10 years working experience in managing and coordinating natural resources management projects
• Understanding wetlands issues and past experience working on the same an advantage
• Experience in strategic planning, programme development and management of complex, multi-stakeholder interventions
• Experience in stakeholder management and in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder participatory processes.
• Demonstrable experience in establishing networks with governments, private and public sector entities as well as a development agency
• Experience in managing teams effectively
• Strong leadership and people management skills and proven ability to ensure a professional and motivated team.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and the ability to write clear reports for a wide range of audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, communicate and negotiate with a wide range of people and organisations at all levels with tact, diplomacy and sensitivity to cultural differences
• Experience working in policy and advocacy related programmes and knowledge of the associated policies and laws.