Project Manager – Cao Vit Gibbon

Terms of Reference

FFI’s mission is to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science, and which take into account human needs.  FFI’s strategy to achieve this mission is to work with in-country organisations at all levels to support them in identifying and implementing country led sustainable solutions. 

Fauna & Flora International - Vietnam Programme

is recruiting a

Project Manager – Cao Vit Gibbon

The FFI Programme in Vietnam is implementing projects to conserve Western black-crested gibbons at Mu Cang Chai Species & Habitat Conservation Area of Yen Bai province and Muong La Nature Reserve of Son La province, Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys at Khau Ca Species & Habitat Conservation Area and Quan Ba district of Ha Giang province, Cao Vit gibbons at Trung Khanh Species & Habitat Conservation Area of Cao Bang province, Cat Ba langurs at Cat Ba National Park of Hai Phong City, Delacour’s langurs at Kim Bang forest of Ha Nam province, Northern white-cheeked gibbons at Pu Mat National Park of Nghe An province, and Grey shanked douc at Kon Plong forest of Kon Tum province.

The Cao Vit gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) is listed as one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world (Mittermeier et al., 2012) and is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2013). Since the re-discovery of the population in Trung Khanh in 2002, FFI has been working there to combat the factors that led to the species’ decline, namely hunting, habitat loss and degradation, poor law enforcement, low levels of awareness and increasing demand for wildlife products. Fortunately, a decade of conservation interventions at the site appears to be paying off. The results of a recent survey show that the population has increased from 110 individuals in 2007 to 129 individuals in 2012, and between 124 – 136 individuals in 2016. It is now the only known population of the Cao Vit gibbon, and inhabits a block of forest straddling the international border between Vietnam (Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province) and China (Jingxi County, Guangxi Province). The species retains the dubious honour of being the second rarest ape in the world and may be vulnerable to small population size effects. FFI’s on-going interventions to conserve this viable population include improvement of forest patrol efforts through 6 Community Conservation Team (CCT) members, improvement of species monitoring, improvement of local livelihood and raising awareness, and improvement of collaborative management of protected area through Management Advisory Committee (MAC), and improvement of transboundary collaborative conservation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Job type:         Full-time
Starting date:    As soon as possible
Duration:    One year with potential to extend subject to business need and funding availability
Location:    Hanoi, with regular travel to project sites
Hours of Work:    40 hours per week
Salary:     Package (inclusive) US$1,100 – US$1,200 gross/month dependant on skills and experience
Reporting to:     Country Programme Manager
Line Manager of:    Project Officer - Primate
                                Project Assistant – Trung Khanh
                                Programme Volunteers and students - TBC
Key Internal Relationships:     Country Director
                                                  Country Programme Manager
                                                  Finance Manager 
                                                  Project Managers
                                                  Technical Advisors
                                                  Programme Officers and Support Staff
                                                  Community Conservation Teams (CCT)
Working with:     The Project Manager will routinely liaise with local government agencies, local communities and community-based organisations, and partner NGOs, representing the values and interests of FFI at all times. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Project Manager position is to oversee biodiversity conservation implementation in Cao Bang focussing on a critically endangered primate species, the Cao Vit gibbon. The manager will ensure sound operational and financial management and compliance with internal policies and procedures, contracts/grant agreements and relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks. Tasks include coordination and technical leadership of the ‘Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Project’ in Cao Bang.

THE ROLE

The role will be filled by a mid-to-senior career project manager. This position will be working in close collaboration with FFI and government staff and will provide mentoring and build capacity to support the on-going work of the projects. The position requires direct line management of project staff to ensure effective planning and implementation of projects, ensuring that deliverables are completed to standard and in a timely fashion.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in project management, ideally in the conservation field, with strong financial management, written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Relevant experience of environmental protection and/or wildlife conservation, are very much desirable, but not essential. The successful candidate will also have experience of community development, community outreach and education, or similar ‘people-orientated’ work.

MAIN DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Country Programme Manager, working in close collaboration and coordination with the Finance Manager, liaising closely with the Technical Advisors, Biodiversity/Technical team, project staff, and where appropriate the Country Director, manage project interventions in Cao Bang, with the following duties: 

Operational Management

• Lead and manage FFI’s project activities and associated budgets in Cao Bang (Cao Vit gibbon conservation projects);
• Provide strong and motivational line management and mentoring to field staff through objective setting, continuous performance management, annual appraisals, training provision and personal development planning to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the programme;
• Support project staff to ensure they understand and are aligned with the strategy of FFI Vietnam and FFI as a global institution;
• Convene staff on a regular basis to advise the Country Director / Country Programme Manager on operational matters and outputs;
• Support project team members to ensure work plans are in place, to meet project aims, objectives and timelines, and ensure that projects are implemented in line with work plans and within budget and ensure alignment between staff workplans, budgets and deliverables as per donor requirements, and coordination of project staff;
• Conduct annual performance appraisals for staff that the position line manages;
• Support the implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation of projects, ensuring timely adaptation as required to meet project aims, objectives and timelines, and support the dissemination of lessons learned;
• Ensure compliance with institutional Health & Safety policies and procedures and Area Risk Assessments to manage and minimise risk within the FFI Vietnam Country Programme procedures, and ensure that operations are conducted to a high standard of health, safety, welfare, environmental good practice and cultural sensitivity.

Financial Management

• With the support of the Vietnam Finance Manager, ensure that for projects/funds managed by this position, there is:
  
  • Accurate financial management
  • Compliance with internal financial policies and procedures
  • Compliance with contracts and grant agreements, including co-financing and procurement requirements

• Manage donor budgets for Cao Vit gibbon funds (donors), ensuring that spending is cost-effective, compliant with institutional and donor requirements and compliant with Vietnam law. Spending must align with stated project objectives and facilitate effective conservation actions, in line with the deliverables enshrined in the (all) project documents (donor grant agreements or contracts);

• Review advance requests and acquittals for project staff in accordance with FFI financial procedures, ensuring that these are appropriately costed, budgets are available and costs are attributable to the donors;

• Work with the Finance staff and Country Programme Manager to produce financial donor and institutional reports. Be aware of donor grant agreements to ensure financial management is in alignment with spending.

Technical Input

• Provide technical/advisory input on Cao Vit gibbon conservation planning and actions, furthering FFI’s efforts to conserve biodiversity – and to include / support to: setting priorities, project design, development, implementation and monitoring;
• Provide technical advice as required to partner organisations and individual community-based initiatives;
• Working with senior management help to ensure there is timely and accurate technical donor and institutional reporting for projects managed by this position;
• Coordinate protected area law enforcement actions, including the coordination of Community Conservation Teams;
• Oversee the collection of SMART data, as part of protected area/forest and species monitoring;
• Support protected area management/managers and (where appropriate) the development and/or implementation of PA management and species action plans;
• Lead the planning and coordination of research activities (related to forest/habitat, key species, local livelihoods etc.);
• Co-develop community development/livelihood activities and community education / outreach plans and materials, and lead on implementation;
• Coordinate and support implementation of our local/community conservation education work, including support to other FFI project sites.

Partnership Development

• Proactively identify, develop and nurture relationships and partnerships with third parties, including local government agencies, local communities and community-based organisations, partner NGOs etc.
• Ensure meaningful consultation with appropriate stakeholders in the development and implementation of biodiversity work at the aforementioned sites
• Liaise with government counterparts (of projects), building effective working relationships, to ensure the delivery of FFI Vietnam’s objectives and to ensure that FFI Vietnam’s work is aligned with government policy
• Build and maintain links and communications with relevant government agencies responsible for development of policy related to conservation in Vietnam

Programme Representation

• Where requested by the Country Programme Manager, represent FFI Vietnam at various national and international fora to showcase the programme’s work, network and develop opportunities
• Represent the gibbon conservation elements of the FFI Vietnam Country Programme, developing its profile and promoting its work to third parties, including government agencies, communities, NGOs, for-profit entities, academic institutions, funders and donors, and media
• Represent FFI at key fora, including consultations, negotiations, meetings, workshops and briefings

Communications

• Bring to the attention of the Country Programme Manager /Country Director any news worthy events, outcomes or stories arising within the country programme;
• Provide regular information/updates and materials to support the creation of communication outputs (website, blogs, social media, etc.) to the Country Director and communication staff (VN and/or UK).

Programme Development

• In collaboration with the Country Director and Country Programme Manager, input to project concepts and funding proposals, in line with approved strategic plans and FFI’s project cycle;
• Work with the Finance team to ensure accurate budgeting, staff and overhead charging and cost recovery in funding proposals and resulting contracts and grant agreements;
• Help senior managers to develop and nurture relationships with prospective and existing funders and donors, and hosting donor visits as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Interested candidates are invited to send a letter and CV to Ms. Le Hong Viet via email [email protected] [1] no later than 19th June, 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviewing

For more information about FFI, please visit http://www.fauna-flora.org [2]