Project Director-Ghana

Organization: US Forest Service and Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc.

Position Title: Project Director

Location: Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana

Hours & Compensation: Contract

Application Deadline: February 10, 2014

Job Description:

The US Forest Service (USFS), International Programs and Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), as a part of the US Agency for International Development’s bilateral programs in Ghana, seeks a full-time Project Director to lead the implementation of the Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project in the Western Region.

Background:

As a part of a broader and multi-partner conservation effort along the coasts of Ghana, USFS is working with the Government of Ghana and USAID to design and implement a coastal forest landscape conservation project in the six coastal Districts of the Western Region of Ghana. This Coastal Sustainable Landscapes (SL) project will contribute to moving Ghana into a low greenhouse gas emissions, high carbon sequestration development pathway in the land use sector. Activities under this program will be strategic and transformative and contribute to the Ghanaian national strategic process that is currently addressing climate change.

The project expects an overall long-term impact of strengthened capacity for low emissions development through improved coastal forest landscape management. The underpinning medium-term outcomes are the following:

1. Natural resources policy and enabling environment strengthened
2. Applied research for improved ecosystem services delivery reinforced
3. Awareness and coordination capacity of Government of Ghana and the public for sustainable landscape management strengthened
4. Improved livelihoods through enhanced natural resources management in targeted areas on and off reserve

Position Description:

The Project Director will manage the USFS SL project and take a lead role in the development, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities and partnerships including:

Program Management

• Provide strategic direction for biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental governance, and food security efforts;
• Provide reporting and program implementation information on a regular basis to USFS/IP Washington, USAID/Ghana, and other partners;
• Finalize, implement and provide oversight of work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
• Hire and supervise project staff, consultants, and visitors needed to implement program activities in Ghana; and
• Provide technical and logistical support to short-term USFS/IP detailers on technical assistance missions to the project implementation areas.

Technical Activities

• Work, coordinate, and communicate closely with host country government agencies, project partners, other related USAID projects, and USAID/Ghana to facilitate increased collaboration, information sharing, and management related to sound coastal forest landscape conservation;
• Organize technical assistance missions for USFS/IP and USAID experts in support of project goals and provide technical and logistical support to short-term USFS/IP detailers on technical assistance missions within Ghana;
• Provide support for a network of local partners to engage in research, information dissemination, policy improvements and capacity building of local communities/organizations in natural resource best management practices; and
• Collaborate with partners in the development and implementation of the Performance Management Plan as well as any Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for environmental compliance and monitoring of program activities.

Qualifications:

The Project Director should have the following skills and experience:

• Minimum five years’ experience managing USAID programs in Africa
• Professional proficiency in English
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated leadership, management, supervision, and communication skills
• Masters/Ph.D. and/or significant experience in forestry, climate change, natural resources, conservation biology, environmental sciences, or related field
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical coordination and leadership with a broad range of interested parties, across cultures, languages and varying capacity levels in order to catalyze improved conservation outcomes
• Proven ability in broad outreach, including building, maintaining, and managing diverse partnerships ranging from international donor agencies to local civil society groups

How to apply:

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Adam Welti ([email protected]) no later than February 10, 2014. The successful applicant will be hired through a contractor.