Technical Team Leader

Technical Team Leader (Watershed Expert), MaWRiN Project

Location: Sindhuli

Company Description

WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization leading international efforts for a living planet, seeks applications from qualified Nepali candidates for the following full-time position. If you think you are an achiever and willing to work within a diverse team in a multicultural environment with commitment and passion for what you believe in, you are highly encouraged to apply.

Our Mission:

At WWF Nepal, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Our mission is to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and build a future Nepal in which people live in harmony with nature.

Our Vision:

From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries.

Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.

WWF-Nepal envisions a prosperous Nepal, with an active and socially responsible citizenry that a greater sense of stewardship towards the environment.

Our Core Values:

We celebrate and respect diversity in nature and among the people, partners, and communities with whom we work. Across the many cultures and individuals that represent WWF, we are unified by one mission, one brand, and one common set of values:

Courage: We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
Integrity: We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure we learn and evolve.
Respect: We honor the voices and knowledge of the people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
Collaboration: We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Job Description

The Managing Watersheds for Enhanced Resilience of Communities to Climate Change in Nepal (MaWRiN) Project is located in Marin watershed of Sindhuli district. The project is funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) managed Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) to be implemented over a period of six years by WWF in close association with the federal Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) as the National Executing Agency and Ministry of Forests and Environment of Bagmati Province as the Project Executing Partner. The project will enable the government and local stakeholders to invest in protecting the Marin watershed while bolstering the longer-term resilience of local and indigenous communities against climate emergencies.

The objective of the project is “to enhance climate resilience of Indigenous people and local communities in the Marin watershed (partly/fully covering area of Marin rural municipality, Kamalamai municipality, Ghyanglekh rural municipality, and Hariharpurgadhi rural municipality) through nature-based solutions and livelihood improvement.” The project’s objective will be achieved through the following three inter-connected components:

Component 1: Enabling environment for mainstreaming climate change through development of capacity of the municipalities and other key local agencies to assess and understand climate risks and vulnerabilities, and accordingly mainstream climate change adaptation strategies and actions in local policies and plans. Also, through the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and coordinated actions on climate change adaptation at the watershed level.

Component 2: Enhanced Resilience of Local Communities to Climate Change through a) Community-based natural resource management such as community identification of adaptation interventions, support and demonstration of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture and livestock practices, improved water management, strengthened management of community and leasehold forests, and b) Nature-based Solutions that reduce climate impacts and risks.

Component 3: Monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management, through tracking of project progress on a regular basis; garnering and analysis of lessons and good practices; and development and dissemination of knowledge that reinforces project results from components 1 and 2, providing sound basis for their replication, adaptation and sustainability.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be set up at field level. The Chief of the Soil and Watershed Management Office (SWMO), Ramechhap will serve as the Project Manager (PM). The main functions of the PMU are to (i) oversee fiduciary arrangements, (ii) ensure overall efficient management, coordination, timely implementation of the agreed project work plan/result framework including the Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Gender Action Plan, (iii) operational oversight of implementation activities, (iv) timely reporting, and for effective use of GEF/LDCF resources for the approved work plan and (v) monitoring of the project. The PMU will also serve as the secretariat to the project coordination committee and multi-stakeholder dialogue and action platform.

The Technical Team Leader (TTL) will be responsible to support the Project Manager in day-to-day management of the project. S/he will be stationed at PMU office. S/he will have overall responsibility for preparing and implementing Annual Work Plans (AWP). S/he will provide technical input in planning and implementing climate resilient watershed management practices focusing on nature-based solutions. S/he will also coordinate with Government agencies, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and other partners for effective delivery of project components. It will be the responsibility of the TTL to ensure the project is implemented following ESMF, Gender Action Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Planning

• Overall planning in close consultation with PM and implementing partners.
• Develop the Annual Workplan and budget (AWP/B) for endorsement by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and/or Project
• Executing Committee (PEC) and coordinate with WWF GEF Agency where required.
• Facilitate the inception workshop, other project-level periodic planning meetings/sessions and annual/semi-annual PSC meetings and annual/semi-annual/quarterly PEC meetings and the annual reflection meeting.
• Support Municipalities and Rural Municipalities in their annual planning process and ensure that climate change adaptation is internalized into their plans through integrated watershed management approach.

2. Implementation

• Provide technical leadership and achieve deliverables assuring quality and standards of the project including activities implemented under Technical Assistance.
• Provide oversight for effective implementation of activities implemented by the grantee/consultants.
• In close coordination with the Finance and Compliance Officer ensure proper financial management.
• Oversee the preparation and disbursement of sub-grants according to the AWP/B according to WWF GEF Operational Guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with GEF and WWF project management procedures and standards.
• Implementation of Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Gender Action Plan and ESMP in line with the WWF Environment and Social Safeguards

3. Capacity Building

• Build local stakeholders’ capacity to identify climate risks and vulnerabilities and their impacts on community livelihoods and natural resources.
• Strengthen the capacity of municipalities and other local stakeholders to plan and mainstream climate change adaptation in their land use plans through integrated watershed management approach.
• Empower local forest user groups and stakeholder organizations on forest fire management and control.
• Build the capacity of beneficiaries on forest product-based entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

4. Technical Backstopping

• Identify and integrate nature-based solution packages for integrated planning and management of Marin watershed.
• Support community forest user group, leasehold forest groups in preparing and executing forest restoration plans, updating operation plans.
• Technical supervision of consultancies and grants.

5. Coordination

• Liaise between grantees/ consultants and any technical implementing partner as required for implementation of activities.
• Coordinate with PSC, PCC and federal/provincial/local government for effective project execution.
• Represent the project, as needed, at various meetings and workshops.
• Work with local levels, provincial agencies, and community forest user groups on forest restoration, forest management and adoption of forest degradation control measures.
• Organize in-country exposure visits for the municipal and other agency officials to gain firsthand experience of successful cases of community led climate change adaptation.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting

• Ensure monitoring and evaluation requirement of the project and ensure timely delivery of outputs and outcomes.
• Lead the periodic review and the progress of AWP/B, Gender Action Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan and ESMF including annual reflection workshops/meetings to identify lessons learned and potential adjustments in the AWP as a part of adaptive management.
• Implement, track and report the project’s M&E plan and Project Results Framework.
• Submit the six-monthly Project Progress Reports (PPRs) in line with the AWP/B to the PSC and WWF GEF Agency.
• Inform the PSC and the WWF GEF Agency of any delays and difficulties as they arise during the implementation to ensure timely corrective measure and support.
• Prepare the first draft of the Project Implementation Review (PIR) report and support the organization of the mid-term and final evaluations in close coordination with the WWF GEF Agency.
• Maintain documentation and evidence of project results as per agreement provisions and make it available to the WWF GEF Agency and designated auditors when requested.
• Ensure submission of quarterly financial reports to the WWF GEF Agency.
• Support the WWF (GEF agency) in organizing mid-term and final evaluations.

7. Human Resource Management

• Will supervise all (directly recruited or part-time consultants) project staff.
  In consultation with PM prepare TORs to recruit consultants and sub-contracts, seek WWF GEF Agency approval where required.
• Conduct staff performance evaluations jointly with PM for all project staff.
• Identify and implement staff capacity building needs ensuring gender and social inclusion aspects.

8. Other Duties

• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks that are anticipated proactively. Any other tasks may be assigned as necessary by PSC and outlined in the project operation manual.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Project Officer (Agriculture and Livestock), Finance and Compliance Officer, Overseer, MEL and Communications Officer, Gender, Social Inclusion and Safeguards experts, Grantee/Consultants as required.

Working Relationships

Internal: Works closely with PMU staff

External: Interact frequently with existing government, non-government and civil society partners, consultants, and grantees.

Qualifications

Knowledge: Master’s degree in Watershed Management or Forestry.

Experience: At least 10 years of working experience in the field of large-scale watershed management projects working closely with various government agencies is mandatory. Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation, Nature-based Solutions, and Natural Resource Management is desired. Demonstrated experience in integration and monitoring of gender and social inclusion in projects is necessary. Experience of working with and managing large teams is required. Experience of working in national GEF Projects will be an added advantage.

Skills and Abilities:

• Project Management Skill.
• Excellent English and Nepali language skills.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office package.
• Excellent cross-cultural, interpersonal skills.
• Adaptive management skills.
• Strong facilitation, communication, coordination, and mobilization skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

Additional Information

Interested applicants are requested to apply for the position by 17:00 hours on October 25, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.

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All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please join us in our mission to save life on Earth.