Program Focal Point, Cameroon, for the activity of support for forests and biodiversity At Tetra Tech

The Forests and Biodiversity Support (FABS) project, funded by USAID and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development ( International Development Jobs – Tetra Tech ), is currently accepting expressions of interest from qualified candidates for a Program Focal Point position, Cameroon based in Yaoundé.

Job Description: Funded by USAID through the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), the FABS activity will work with environmental actors in the Congo Basin to address large-scale threats to forests and biodiversity. FABS will strengthen local institutions through targeted capacity building, improve knowledge sharing and communications across conservation networks, and generate new analysis and evidence to support policy reforms and greater innovation in conservation approaches. To implement these strategies, FABS will partner closely with a broad network of institutions including civil society, media, government, and other conservation and development practitioners.

The role of the Program Focal Point (Program Focal Point, Cameroon) is to oversee the development and implementation of Cameroon-specific activities for FABS, guided by Tetra Tech’s general policies and the company’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Cameroon Program Focal Point reports to the FABS Senior Program Coordinator (who conducts his/her annual performance review) and is supported by the regional office based in Kinshasa, DRC. The Cameroon Program Focal Point works in direct coordination with the FABS project technical and operational staff. These include Finance and Accounting; Contracts, Grants and Procurement; Human Resources; Travel and Security; and others as required.

Responsibilities:
The Program Focal Point is Tetra Tech’s primary liaison with all partners in the country of operation. He/she is responsible for the effective implementation of FABS activities in the country, with direct supervision from the Senior Coordinator and in collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party. The Cameroon Program Focal Point provides technical and administrative support and will manage country-specific short-term consultants, as well as subcontractors providing intermittent technical assistance for the implementation of activities in the country. This role may cover other geographies as needed, including Gabon, DRC, ROC and CAR.

Programmatic leadership

* Ensures quality control of all country specific deliverables and under the supervision of the Senior Program Coordinator, represents FABS to USAID and in-country counterparts.

* Provides leadership, supervision and guidance to the FABS in-country implementation team and additional short-term technical assistance resources.

* Under the direct direction and in coordination with the FABS Operations team, assumes overall responsibility for the effective operation of administrative, financial and personnel management systems as codified in Tetra Tech manuals, guides and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

* Provides specific technical assistance to the FABS Annual Performance Plan, Partner Capacity Building and possibly other specific technical areas, in accordance with the contract Statement of Work and the approved Country Specific Work Plan.
* Leads the preparation of country specific knowledge management products and the preparation of country specific inputs for project reports, including the Annual Work Plan, Annual Reports, Quarterly Reports and Final Reports.

Contractual performance and risk management

* Identifies and resolves country-specific performance issues that may put the company at financial or legal risk due to waste, fraud, abuse or underperformance.

* Collaborates and coordinates with the FABS Operations team to ensure that necessary resources are available to support in-country implementation and deliver quality services to the client.

* Assumes responsibility for identifying, managing and mitigating initial project risks in collaboration with the Party Manager, including identifying implementation risks, developing solutions and responses, and if necessary mitigating (if necessary, collaborates and coordinates with the local office internal compliance committee if a field audit of potential risks or compliance is required).

Promotion and Outreach Coordination
* Represents Tetra Tech in-country at conferences, seminars and other professional meetings and serves as the official spokesperson for FABS activities to the host country government and local counterparts, as well as other collaborating institutions and agencies.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

* Minimum Bachelor’s degree with one year of additional experience (Masters preferred) in a field related to capacity development, international development, project management, environmental sciences or other relevant degree.

* A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a similar position in Africa with experience in the Congo Basin is strongly desired. Previous experience managing grants under contract for USAID funded projects strongly desired. Experience working in the field of biodiversity and climate change is preferred.

* Significant experience in managing field activities, including grant programs under difficult conditions.

* Ability to assess and coach organizations and networks for organizational sustainability.

* Experience in assessing capacity needs and developing capacity building programs. Excellent communicator – both orally and in writing.

* Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders (e.g., project technical team, project management, supervisees, grant recipients, HQ and USAID).

* Flexibility, willingness to take on other tasks to help achieve project goals, and to complete tasks in a timely manner.

* Be comfortable visiting remote locations with few amenities.

* Spoken and written French and English at the “advanced” level as defined by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages.