Program Manager – Europe Green Heart & Mediterranean regions At World Wide Fund For Nature

WWF Belgium is looking for a Program Manager to lead the management, delivery and development of conservation programs in Europe and the Mediterranean, with a particular focus on the region of the Carpathians and the Danube, also known as the Green Heart of Europe.

You will be part of WWF Belgium’s International Programs team and work closely with colleagues across the WWF network and partners (i.e., WWF Romania, WWF Freshwater Practice).

Your role

You ensure the high standard, effective delivery, accountability, compliance, value-added and relevance for the international programs in your portfolio. You do so through technical support, capacity building, close monitoring and detailed analysis tailored to the local context and needs. All you do is geared to making us the most impactful conservation organization evidencing solutions and positively influencing all generations to respect, conserve and restore nature, and halting biodiversity loss. You drive change by helping deliver impact on the ground through the power of partnerships and by engaging all those close to Nature.

Key Responsibilities

1. You will support our partners throughout the project cycle for conservation programs within your portfolio, assess their feasibility, value-added, impact and ensure their relevance to our mission and priorities.

• Lead/Coordinate with relevant partners and stakeholders the development of conservation strategies and programs;
• Design/review the theory of change, logical frameworks, outcome/outputs/indicators/ action plan;
• Design/review the budget and resource mobilization;
• Conduct/review the risks assessment and compliance requirements;
• Future proof the financial and technical needs for successful program implementation;
• Lead on relevant contractual arrangements with partners.

1. You will ensure and be accountable for the effective delivery and reporting of conservation programs in your portfolio.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners;
• Ensure (internal and external) compliance;
• Monitor, support and control projects’ effective delivery, in close collaboration with colleagues, especially the Monitoring & Evaluation & Learning Specialist and the Finance Controller;
• Report, evaluate and account for projects’ delivery.

1. You will contribute to and stay up to date with the latest developments and innovations relevant to your portfolio, within the WWF network and the sector.

• Input/Support/Consult the WWF network to leverage greater impact for your portfolio;
• Seek solutions (through partnerships, innovation, etc.) to assist and support our partners in the field;
• Support colleagues working in Europe and the Mediterranean, on a needs basis and by drawing from cross-cutting issues/themes;
• Keep abreast of and advise on national and regional policies and programmes pertinent to biodiversity conservation in the region.

1. You will support fundraising to sustain our efforts in the field.

• In close collaboration with the Program Development Specialist, help seek, identify and develop new prospects for your portfolio.

Your Profile

• Master’s in Biology, Nature Conservation, Ecology, Bioengineering or other relevant field;
• 3 to 5 years of experience of Project Management in a relevant field, preferably involving work with local communities;
• Good knowledge of donor requirements (i.e., Belgian Cooperation, European Union);
• 3 years of relevant Field experience;
• Good knowledge of English;
• Flexible and able to travel in remote conditions (estimate: 2 times/year);
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills;
• Strong ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, with colleagues and partners;
• Well-structured and attention to detail;
• Practical knowledge of GIS would be a plus;
• Experience in the region would be a plus.

We offer:

• A full-time, permanent contract;
• An attractive salary package for the sector including meal vouchers, group insurance, health insurance, 100% reimbursement of the costs of public transport;
• A pleasant working environment in the heart of Brussels, easily accessible by public transport and flexible homeworking;
• The opportunity to contribute to our new and ambitious five-year strategic plan.