Funding and Reporting Manager_Aouk

Background

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 19 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, South Soudan and Zimbabwe.

In 2020 with the support of the European Union ECOFAC Program, African Parks and the Chadian Government launched a four-year pilot project based in the Aouk. This vast area covers approximately 60,000 km² of southeastern Chad and borders both the Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan and takes its name from one of the major tributaries of the Chari River, the Bahr Aouk. Large tracks of this area are devoid of permanent human settlements. Existing sedentary populations are localized and predominantly involved in agriculture. Nomadic transhumant pastoralism is an important seasonal activity that has significant effects on the ecosystems of the Aouk. Fishing is widespread and is an important activity for riverine communities as well. This project was focused on delivering an improved knowledge of this vast area both in terms of various types of land uses as well as its importance for the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem (GZE) in Chad and the complex of protected areas in northern Central African Republic. It further was designed to identifying future conservation opportunities in cooperation with communities of this area.

The second phase of the project will focus its next years on designing a land use plan for the Aouk-Keïta Landscape (approx. 30 000 km²), supporting the classification and the subsequent management of core conservation areas, including through other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), while also improving the understanding of natural resources uses and promoting sustainable practices. It is anticipated that this project will provide numerous benefits to the broader conservation landscape including when it comes to ecological connectivity, wildlife conservation, managing human-wildlife relationships and preserving ecosystem services.

Job Overview

The Funding and Reporting Manager (FRM) is accountable for effective and compliant delivery of the Aouk Project grant portfolio and monitoring and evaluation framework, high-quality data-based reporting for internal and external purposes, and effectively packaging the project identified funding needs. The Funding and Reporting Manager will ensure that all grant proposals, reports, and data align with the project land use plan and other operational plans.

In this multifaceted position, one functions as a critical bridge between the strategy and operational reality of the project, the objectives, preferences, and compliance requirements of funders as well as the needs of the teams at Head Office, most notably Fundraising and the Business Intelligence and Strategic Research & Planning units. The role requires strong communications skills, both written and oral in French and English, coordination and project management skills, a proficient grasp of donor regulations and donor interests, a solid handle on budgeting and monitoring & evaluation, and lastly, someone with a passion for protected areas. Capturing the ecological, social, and economic impacts (objectives) of the Aouk Project is central to the role.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities

• Oversees the Aouk Project grant portfolio, monitoring effective and compliant delivery of respective grants. This includes working closely with the financial controller and heads of department to ensure correct allocations of donor funding while tracking burn rates, coordinating grant work plans as per the 5YBP and briefing the Heads of Department on key deliverables, providing required partner visibility, and monitoring any potential risks to the delivery of any components of a given grant.
• Represent the project in the quarterly funding calls, debriefing APN funding and finance teams on the Aouk Project funding needs, grant delivery and key operational updates.
• Map out the project funding needs, and develops compelling funding packages, concept notes and proposals for fundraising among both private and institutional donors. Ensure the proposals are closely aligned with the project long-term objectives, business plan, approved budget, and monitoring program.
• In collaboration with the Heads of Departments, coordinate the project Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) efforts:
  • Develop appropriate monitoring methodologies aligned with project’s objectives and priorities;
  • Hold primary responsibility for effective management of all data collected through the project’s monitoring system (processing, analysis, archiving);
  • Ensure the right metrics to capture the project impact are being measured and data is being entered accurately into African Parks’ reporting system;
  • Produce reports that inform data-based decision making and performance evaluations for the project;
  • Develop, organize and supervise the implementation of a training plan for staff involved with the monitoring systems.
• Coordinates the and collates project reporting, both for internal and external purposes. Next to developing timely and high-quality donor reports that reinforce our reputation, develop project factsheets for engagement events, share monthly operational updates, make the communications team aware of highlights.
• In coordination with the Project Manager, develop, organize, and supervise the implementation of a training plan for staff involved with research and monitoring systems (trackers, rangers, animators, and technicians).
• Support the writing of all necessary project documents such as support in developing the land use plan, weekly and monthly reports, business plans and special project descriptions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies and Experiences:

• Strong project management experience.
• At least 5 years of experience working in philanthropy, conservation, social development or sustainable land use management and a good track record of working with donors, including with institutional funders such as the European Union.
• Strong writer, and experience in developing external communications such as grant proposals and impact reports.
• A solid handle on Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks and ideally compliance requirements for various donors.
• Exposed to program development, budgeting, and detailed financial reporting requirements.
• Able to keep the team organized and focused on the key priorities within a multitude of projects with deadlines, taking strong ownership of safeguarding and improving African Parks’ quality standards as the leading conservation organization on the continent.
• A good command of a GIS software is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, oral, and written communications skills in French, professional working proficiency in English; capacity to interact in Arabic is an advantage.
• Good with people, a capacity builder and sensitive to operating in intercultural environments.
• Resilient and flexible, able to operate effectively from remote areas.