Team Leader

Job Description

The Mountain Institute (TMI) is founded in 1972 in West Virginia, USA. The Mountain Institute (TMI) is a non-profit organization devoted to helping mountain communities around the world initiate and sustain environmentally and culturally responsible development. TMI has field program and regional offices in the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Appalachians. In Nepal, we have 30 years’ experience working with mountain communities and a variety of development, government, academic, and technical partners on projects throughout the country. TMI’s Office in Nepal is the Asia Regional Office.

TMI is looking for a Position of Team Leader-Nepal for its Mt.EbA Project. The Team Leader directly worked under the supervision of Director, Himalayan Program of TMI.

PROJECT AND POSITION SUMMARY
This position is for the project entitled - “Scaling Up Mountain Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Building Evidence, Replicating Success, and Informing Policy” (Mountain EbA or Mt. EbA). The project aims to scale up Ecosystembased Adaptation (EbA) as a means of building climate-change resilience and promoting adaptation in mountains, benefiting mountain people directly and also millions downstream. It builds on the experiences and groundwork of the concluded Flagship Programme for Mountain Ecosystem-based Adaptationin Nepal, Peru, and Ug and a implemented between 2011and 2016. Measures for this phase include: ensuring that initiatives under the Flagship Programme and new projects yield long-term evidence and lessons; compiling knowledge and evidence; building local capacity to replicate successful approaches; and informing local, national, and international adaptation plans and policies including NAPs and NDCs.

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) through its International Climate Initiative (IKI). Additional funds may also be obtained from other sources. It is jointly implemented by The Mountain Institute (TMI), as the lead organization,and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in the three Flagship countries (Nepal, Peru, and Uganda) as well as three new countries. Climate change impacts are already affecting the functioning and integrity of mountain ecosystems and are adding to the stress resulting from other anthropogenic interventions such as unsustainable land use practices. The project countries and targeted ecosystems have been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. A multitude of communities depend upon the services provided by these ecosystems.

The key Outcome of the project is:Effective and sustainable EbA measures for mountains are applied and up-scaled in flagship countries; expanded to other mountainous regions in South America, East Africa, and South Asia; and shared globally by key actors.The project Outputs are: (I) Mountain EbA measures are being continued, tested, and adapted at local levels by communities, government, and other stakeholders in Flagship Country Sites; (II) The Mountain EbA approach is being up-scaled in Flagship countries, locally and nationally, and taken into account in planning processes and strategies for application in Expansion countries by local governments and other stakeholders; and (III) EbA as an adaptation strategy for mountain regions is taken into account by key actors in national and international policies and planning processes.

The Team Leader-Nepal for the Mt.EbA Project will have the overall responsibility for leading theprogramme team in close coordination with the key government and non-government stakeholders within Nepal, as well as for coordinating with the global team. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall management of programme implementation in-country, providing technical guidance and coordination, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Responsibilities will also include management of personnel, subcontracts, training, equipment, other administrative support, and financial reporting. The Team Leader-Nepalis expected to coordinate efficiently with relevant government agencies, I/NGOs active in the working areas and in the technical sector and other stakeholders, while keeping the interest and benefits of the community at the center. Proper documentation of project efforts, lessons learned and reporting will also be an important responsibility. The incumbent is also expected to work closely with the Nepal IUCN Office, as both organizations have specific roles in the successful implementation of this global project. Additionally, as a senior staff member, the Team Leader-Nepal is expected to contribute towards the Mt.EbA activities in other countries as well as to overall TMI strategies and new program development work at regional and global levels.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (R)
 

R1: Overall Programme Management, Technical Advisory and Policy Institutionalization Role with Quality Assurance (45% of available time)

1. Carry out overall technical, financial, and administrative oversight of the programme as outlined in the project document. Prepare Annual Work Plans with the budget allocation based on the plans.
2. Lead the design and implementation of the project activities, supervise the program implemented in coordination with local, district and central level government stakeholders and other local partners (civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector), and provide technical support as is necessary. Ensure the promotion of gender equality and social inclusion in all stages of program activities.
3. Provide technical inputs to the different project components – including preparation or comments on TORs of consultants and their reports.
4. Provide/facilitate technical inputs in the design and implementation of demonstration packages at the project site.
5. Build capacity and awareness of the government and other relevant stakeholders on the importance of EbA approaches and support mechanisms to institutionalize EbA so that it is taken into account in planning processes and strategies for application. Ensure the narrative and financial reporting is done according to agreed upon standards, and donor requirements, and in a timely manner, in coordination with the global team.
6. Ensure close coordination between other relevant projects and programmes. Facilitate coordination and other support for consultants hired for the project, and for any relevant BMUB and other missions directly related to the project.
7. Support the development of relevant policy briefs on EbA at the national and global.

R2: Monitoring, Evaluation, Documentation, and Knowledge Management (15%)

1. Prepare and update monitoring systems and formats necessary for the project.Guide staff and partners in carrying out regular follow-up and monitoring of project site, including regular monitoring and reporting on risks and mitigation measures.
2. Ensure that the data collected addresses diversity and social inclusion – gender, ethnicity, and economic status of the participants, to the extent possible and relevant.
3. Prepare TORs and select consultants for different monitoring and evaluation procedures, as necessary – community based monitoring, mid term and final evaluations, etc. – including independent evaluations.
4. Preparation of narrative and financial report of project as per TMI and donor guidelines.
5. Document and disseminate the lesson learned through publication of materials including journal articles, studies, audio-visual productions, and electronic means such as CD- ROM and DVD.

R3: Financial Management, Accountability, and Compliance (10% of available time)

1. Grant/ Sub-grant management and monitoring in coordination with Regional Finance and Administration Officer, and with the overall Mt.EbA Project Team at TMI Headquarters.

R4: Coordination and Human Resource Management (15% of available time)

1. Coordinate among Mt.EbA partners (IUCN, GoN, other technical partners, etc.) on a regular basis for planning and implementing of various project deliverables and sequencing them in a contextual manner.
2. Coordinate among various partners and agencies responsible to conduct Mt.EbA assessments and studies and ensure their quality with respect to the project objectives.
3. Coordinate with the field and central level line agencies and other stakeholders for smooth implementation of project, identify and implement EBA options, document lesson learned and work on policy advocacy.
4. Coordinate with various partners working on EBA in Nepal and learn lessons from their implementation for the benefit of the EBA project.
5. Oversee the management and supervision of project human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce.
6. Team building, mentoring, and coaching of TMI staff and Implementing Partners as necessary.
7. Promote Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) both in programme and workforce, contributing to an organizational culture where teamwork and diversity is encouraged and all staff and partners feel valued.
8. Prepare the Individual Performance Plans and Performance Appraisal Reports of all staff in project management unit and site offices.
9. Ensure the timely mobilization and utilization of programme personnel, subcontracts, training and equipment inputs, whether these are procured by the Programme itself or by other agents.

R5: TMI Strategy and Program Development (15%)

1. Support the Himalayan Program Director in new program development work as and when necessary – contributing with innovative ideas, relevant background research, and seeking information from key stakeholders.
2. Ensure that key lessons learnt from ongoing programs are incorporated in new programs.
3. Ensure that new program development is in line with the priorities of the Government of Nepal policies and priorities.
4. Support the development of new program budgets with support from the TMI Regional Administration and Financial Officer.

 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
 

Education Required: Minimum Master’s Degree (PhD preferred) in related fields preferably in Biodiversity Conservation, Protected Area Management, Natural Resources Management, or Climate Change.

Experience Required: A minimum of 10 years of professional experiences in the relevant field at national or international levels. Experiences in disaster management will be an added consideration.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
Core Competencies and Skills:

• Technical knowledge and understanding of climate change and ecosystem-based adaptation, as well as community based natural resource management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working on policy development and capacity building including setting technical methods to maximize performance for ecosystem based adaptation.
• Advanced project management skills, with ability to keep complex projects on track, deal effectively with problems, and fulfill reporting requirements timely.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in order to communicate complex, technical information to technical and general audiences.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government; ability to deal with politically sensitive issues.
• Skills in negotiating effectively in sensitive situations.
• Skills in achieving results through persuading, influencing, and working with others.
• Skill in facilitating meetings effectively and efficiently and to resolve conflicts as they arise.

Additional Competencies:

• Integrity and commitment to ethical behavior.
• Respectful of all kinds of diversity within and beyond TMI. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity, and adaptability.
• Accountability towards all – TMI, communities we work in, government counterparts, partner organizations, donors, etc.
• Critical thinking and the ability to be independent and analytical.
• Objectivity and the ability to take a broader perspective.
• Strong inter-personal skills, communication, networking and team-building skills; competent in leading teams and creating team spirit, management of inter-group dynamics and conflicting interests of various actors, stimulating team members to produce quality outputs in a timely and transparent fashion to work as part of a team and support the collective view of staff and partners.
• Appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of other actors within TMI and among external partners.

 

Apply Instructions

Desirous applicants possessing relevant experience and qualification are requested to apply within 04th of December 2016 with updated C.V. along with a covering letter (mentioning their expected salary) including 3 references via email to aroregional@mountain.org by December 04, 2016.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for the further process of recruitment. TMI believes in providing equal opportunity. Telephone inquires will not be entertained.

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