Timor-Leste: Deputy Country Director

Aug 21, 2018 | Conservation International
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Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies so they can responsibly and sustainably care for nature, for the well-being of humanity. CI’s scientific excellence is matched with our pragmatic and effective engagement with governments, private sector, and civil society wherever we work.  From post-conflict situations to economies in the midst of rapid growth, we adapt our approaches to enable conservation with development where conservation matters most.

CI Timor-Leste program is in a state of growth and development, aiming to expand our work with government and communities in creating, developing, and supporting the protected area system and sustainable resource management. The Deputy Country Director (DCD) position will support the Country Director in the day to day development and management of the Timor-Leste program.

S/He is responsible for the oversight of the development and implementation of key teams and projects within the country program, as well as take the lead with all national level government engagement. S/he also ensures that the program’s projects and initiatives are integrated with the Division and CI’s strategies, and partnership goals and works in collaboration with CI headquarters-based technical and operations units to support the needs of the country program. S/he ensures compliance with CI policies, program and funding agreements and local requirements.

The Deputy Country Director works with a high degree of independence and serves as a technical expert in CI’s multidisciplinary approach of conservation.  S/he exercises a high level of creativity and strategic thinking to efficiently manage the country program and build the local capacity within environments that are complex and full of challenges. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide strategic management and technical leadership to effectively implement program activities and ensure high-impact outputs, by managing program strategies, objectives, work plans and metrics.
  • Provide input and oversight to support the definition, implementation and refinement of the Country. Program Strategy by coordinating initiatives, and ensuring activity/policy linkages.
  • Lead program alignment and integration with division and CI-wide conservation priorities.  Engage CI leadership and other senior staff.
  • Promote coordination and cooperation between programming and operations staff to ensure stewardship of resources and appropriate budget management of projects.
  • Support accurate and timely management and reporting on financial and project activities.
  • Support teams to ensure program compliance with CI policies, funding agreements and local requirements.
  • Enable CI to promote national institutional and policy frameworks for development, that favor biodiversity conservation, and to support national capacity for conservation in CI Timor-Leste field programs.
  • Support the Country Director’s technical guidance, program design, fundraising initiatives, and partnership development for the country and greater regional program.
  • Provide representation support to the Country Director with government and partner agencies locally and internationally as is required.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Directly supervise key program staff, including overseeing the work of key external partners.
  • Directly support the management of assigned project budget and finances. 
  • Oversee the management of key project public or private funds; to ensure compliance with donor requirements and CI policies.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Local and/or international travel of 30% or more, often in difficult travel conditions.
  • Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
  • Based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Advanced university degree in Environment, Project Management, or related field.
  • 5 years or more related experience, at a senior management level with supervisory responsibility for multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Excellent senior-level program or project management experience, preferably with an international organization, NGO, advocacy or related for-profit arena. 
  • Demonstrated ability to provide technical input, manage complex projects or initiatives involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated success in managing multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated success in program and project management experience.
  • Working experience in public policy and national policy interventions.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent technical and analytical skills. 
  • Excellent organization and time management skills.
  • Adept at working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities with limited supervision. 
  • Fluency in English required.