Location: Zimbabwe
Position Overview:
In anticipation of a multi-year Resilience Building Program, the IRC is seeking to engage an experienced professional to lead a multi-sectoral program team. The program is expected to address rural livelihoods, agriculture and natural resource management. The candidate should therefore have familiarity with concepts of strengthening resilience of rural communities. The program will include support to rural farming and smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe to better land use regimes, improve yields, sustainably increase incomes, reduce malnutrition, develop inclusive business models and strengthen private sector partnerships.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in successfully leading large and complex programs, delivering results, managing cross-functional teams and effectively managing budgets. The Team Leader will implement and manage the program activities, ensure quality and effective implementation and achievement of program objectives, and liaise with key stakeholders. The Team Leader will coordinate with senior management in the country program, and will directly supervise key program staff and specialists. Candidates with experience in climate adaptation and resilience programming are encouraged to apply.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding.
Major Responsibilities:
Directly responsible for the management of the program to support resilience building activities for communities in selected vulnerable districts of Zimbabwe.
Provide leadership and direction to the program team and partners, promoting innovation and adoption of best practices;
Ensure quality implementation of the program, with particular attention to Value for Money (VfM) and a comprehensive and sustainable resilience approach.
Prepare, in coordination with key project staff, strategic workplans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections and tools for evaluation;
Provide financial and technical management to ensure the best use of resources by preparing sound budgets, monitoring project expenses and ensuring timely submission of financial reports.
Responsible for strategy reviews with partners, donors and key stakeholders and identification of follow-up actions as required.
Manage external relations by representing the project and the organization in the public and decision makers ensuring the timely and widespread distribution of information about project achievements and lessons learned;
Supervise and support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility and show initiative.
Location and Expected Duration:
Zimbabwe, approx. 40% Harare and 60% field.
Expected 3 years, contingent on successful application for funding
Required Qualifications:
10-15 years of relevant experience, at least 5 of which in a senior management/leadership position;
Master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, rural development or related/relevant discipline;
Strong human resource management skills and capacity to lead a team of professionals;
Strong experience in leadership of multi-year, multi-sector programs, with demonstrated capacity to deliver results and manage partner relationships;
Experience managing projects or programs with a budget within $5million and above range will be an added advantage.
Ability to write clear and concise reports and proposals (in English) and to meet required reporting deadlines.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, monitoring & evaluation skills.
Able to work independently, with minimum supervision while being a strong team lead and player;
Experience working in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe an advantage;
Experience working on UNDP-funded programs is an advantage;
Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of Shona/Ndebele is highly desirable.
Application Procedure:
This will be a rolling application, with no set deadline. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by submitting CVs and cover letter to: Zimbabwe@Rescue.org
