View Vacancy - Illegal Wildlife Trade Project Manager B3 (01/19 GBE) - AU

Main purpose of job:

The post-holder will support the High Commission’s work to combat the illegal wildlife trade in Southern Africa. This includes supporting UK programme funding to the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA).  The programmes and UK interventions aim to support countries in Southern Africa combat the illegal wildlife trade (IWT), strengthen conservation efforts and ensure communities are at the heart of interventions.  This work contributes towards the realisation of the key outcomes of the 2017 London Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference.  This programme is in the design phase and the successful candidate will be central to its development and successful implementation.

The post holder will deliver a range of administrative, logistical and project co-ordination activity. The post holder must be fluent in English, have excellent organisational prioritisation and coordination skills to meet complex logistical and operational deadlines. The post-holder will provide support to the High Commissioner and IWT & Security Policy Officer, to ensure the coordination and delivery of identified outputs, playing a crucial role in supporting the various projects within the work plan, ensuring activities are delivered to time, within scope and resource allocation.

The post holder will have strong communication skills, be able to work in a team and independently. He/she 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 Gaborone, occasional internal and international travel will be required.   The post holder will also provide governance oversight of other programmes and projects in the High Commission, for example on LGBTQ+, women in politics, climate change and other priorities identified as core to the UK-Botswana relationship.

Roles and responsibilities:

1.       Project Support

• Make judgements and provide information involving a range of job-related facts or situations some of which require analysis and comparison of a range of options.
• Write briefings and reports as required.
• Identify errors or problems, take action as necessary to resolve and/or notify the Policy Officer.
• Monitor progress of defined aspects of specific projects and business processes, identifying problems or opportunities, take action as necessary and/or notify Policy Officer.
• Use project management skills to plan and organise defined aspects of project delivery under the guidance of the Policy Officer.
• Regularly review project procedures or systems to identify improvements.  Use critical analysis to simplify processes and decision making where necessary.  Capture changes in operational ways of working and incorporate these into the programme.
• Assist with the orientation of visiting UK officials providing local knowledge and understanding.
• Provide support to help the Policy Officer better understand the cultural context of Southern Africa and provide feedback on our approach for cultural nuances.
• Provide governance oversight and advice on other British High Commission projects in line with policy guidance and UK legislation.

2.      Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate with a wide range professionals both locally, nationally and internationally.
• Work with the Communications Officer to create and deliver publicity for the projects you are working on.
• Provide an effective and professional service when liaising with colleagues, partners, stakeholders and the public using tact and diplomacy to encourage effective working when dealing with any communication difficulties.
• Liaise and negotiate with staff and other teams to support the efficient running of projects and business functions including communications.
• 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, working with the local service provider and Country event lead.

3.       Office Management

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the High Commission. These responsibilities may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Support IWT & Security Policy Officer in oversight of approx. £2 million over 2 years of programme funds held by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• Degree qualification or equivalent experience
• Further training, experience or training in project management
• Previous experience in similar role in project/ programme management in public sector or with bilateral/multilateral organisations.
• Proven administrative experience, including complex diary management, arranging high profile meetings and events.
• Experience drafting briefing papers, reports and presentations.
• Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management and information analysis.
• Experience interpreting and implementing corporate policy e.g. HR policies and procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence.
• Effective organisation, prioritisation and planning skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.               
• Ability to handle strictly confidential information from internal and external sources whilst always adhering to best practices of confidentiality.
• Computer literate and proficient user of Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.