Job Opportunity at Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS): Technical advisor

FZS Serengeti Conservation Project (SCP)

Position: Technical advisor – Donor Funding

Serengeti Conservation Project

(2 year post)

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FZS Vision in Tanzania:

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) works in Tanzania to support its government partners to conserve wildlife and ecosystems focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places. We work with and for people to secure biodiversity in key ecosystems worldwide as the basis for all life and the livelihoods of present and future generations. FZS maintains long-term conservation programmes in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. The Africa Programme is the Society’s largest and oldest and works with partners in five focal countries: Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Tanzania, FZS works to deliver conservation in the Serengeti, the Selous and the Mahale ecosystems in partnership with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Background: Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) has recently been awarded a grant of some Euros 9.3 million to secure emergency operations and recovery for Serengeti National Park following the ongoing downturn in tourism as a result of the global pandemic. FZS is the project executing agency for this BMZ/KFW funding, and will be delivering this funding in conjunction with TANAPA.

Purpose of the job:

To provide high quality technical assistance, practical and administrative support to the FZS Serengeti Conservation Project (SCP) to deliver the BMZ/KFW grant under supervision of the FZS SCP programme manager and FZS BMZ project coordinator based in the FZS Tanzania Country Office. The technical advisor – donor funding (TA) will ensure the project is operating within the required project strategy and operational plans, budget and donor standards, and ensure successful delivery of the project through management of these processes. The TA will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of all project activities and will provide high quality training and technical assistance to TANAPA and project partners, for the project’s delivery.

Operational Structure

Reports to the FZS Programme Manager – Serengeti

Interacts daily with with the FZS staff based in the Serengeti National Park

Supports key TANAPA staff based in the Serengeti National Park.

Expected Core Outputs

Support the effective and efficient implementation of donor requirements associated with the BMZ/KFW project including;
Establishing required specifications for procurement (in conjunction with park based FZS and TANAPA staff)
Preparing procurement – tender documentation (in conjunction with FZS BMZ procurement officer and parks based FZS and TANAPA staff)
Run, establish as needed, and supervise operation recording and delivery systems with partners, including systems for recording ranger allowances payments
Supervise and oversee delivery of equipment to the Park and support FZS and TANAPA park based staff with its deployment
Prepare financial and narrative donor reports on the delivery of the project (in conjunction with the FZS Technical Advisor, finance team and FZS and TANAPA parks based staff) including drafting donor reports
Ensure that financial administration procedures and controls of project resources are implemented - including but not limited to workshop spare parts, project equipment, vehicle usage, aircraft movement. Ensure supporting documentation is properly recorded;
Support logistical arrangements for project activities;
Work closely with partners and other stakeholders in the Serengeti National park in the implementation of FZS activities;
Work closely with the FZS Programme Manager to ensure that there is value for money for every activity done; and
Build the capacity of TANAPA and other partners in in the delivery of all project activities.

Reporting

Coordinate with FZS project staff to provide completed activity reports covering their work, and compile these for monthly submission to the FZS Programme Manager.
Assist the FZS Programme Manager in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports by obtaining activity reports from FZS field staff and compiling these, for onward submission to the Tanzania Country Director.

Partner Relations and Networking

Strengthen linkages, networking, participation, cooperation and learning between FZS – TANAPA and a wide range of stakeholders
Coordinate and communicate with the managers and wardens in charge of the respective sectors/areas and other units as required
Close communication with the FZS Programme Manager Serengeti regarding any ongoing government or partner projects in the Serengeti National Park.

Project Management

Facilitate team building and motivate and maintain strong working relationships with all FZS staff and staff of partner organizations;
Implement team communication strategies with partners including the government, NGOs and others;
Ensure FZS policies and regulations are implemented by project staff;
Proper, efficient and transparent use of project funds ensured and expenditure within agreed FZS and donor budgets and according to FZS Financial Policies and Procedures;
Support the preparation of project reports submitted as per FZS, BMZ/KFW donor and TANAPA/Serengeti National Park requirements; and
Provide necessary support to project staff and reinforce the core FZS values

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Graduate Degree in Natural Resources, M.Sc. preferable;
3-10 years’ experience in grants management, environmental project management with substantive experience in managing large bi-lateral donor funding grants.
Experience in reporting on and/or managing donor funded projects
Experience in delivering the procurement of services as above (e.g. drafting of project proposals, procurement requirements, guidelines, specifications), preparing financial reporting, developing work-plans and reports
Experience in working across organisational responsibilities forming good working relationships with staff from other institutional partners
Experience in project management (e.g. setting timelines, budgets, attending and managing staff and meetings to deliver projects to these)
Experience in project monitoring and evaluation
Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities, verbal and listening skills
Strong experience in training field staff and others
Good computer skills, including use of Office programs such as Outlook, Word and Excel;
Must have a proven safe driving record, provide documentation of past traffic violations upon request, and maintain a valid driver's license; and
Ability and willingness to work and live in a very remote area under basic conditions.
Good writing skills
Ability to travel nationally within Tanzania on a regular basis.
Fluency in KiSwahili and English, both written and oral
A passion for wildlife conservation

Behaviour Competencies required

Team work: Cooperating and working effectively in order to achieve a shared goal. Supporting the development of the FZS N-SCP team
Communication: Be able to communicate effectively and clearly with colleagues and project partners
Management: Able to work without direct supervision and supervise, motivate and manage project staff as required.
Planning and organising: Good organizational, problem solving, and decision-making skills. Setting goals and workplans in an effective manner; indicating necessary action, time and resources and monitoring progress
Problem analysis: Pointing out problems, recognising important information and establishing connections between various data. Tracing potential causes for problems
Integrity: to work with utmost integrity and uphold the FZS code of ethics. Be able to maintain sensitive and confidential information
Flexibility: the role of pilot sometimes requires extended work hours, workdays, work weeks and call-outs for emergency response, occasional overnight travel to Stations and other Reserve and Park sides areas may be required.

Work Environment/Travel:

The position will be inside Serengeti National park with frequent travel to Arusha

Deadline for applications: August 14th 2021 at 15.30 hours

Interested applicants should send their CV, letter of application (in one PDF document) outlining suitability and motivation to apply for the post, with all required supporting documents on or before the August 14th 2021 at 15.30 hours to the following address jobs.tanzania@fzs.org

Only successful applicants will be contacted for interview.