Position : Sub-Grants Technical Support & Capacity Building
Project : Keo Seima Landscape
Duty station : Senmonorom town, Mondolkiri
Expected Travel : Mainly office-based role
Reports to : REDD+ Sub-Grant Coordinator
Supervises : None
Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 and based in New York, that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. The WCS Country Program in Cambodia, is a relatively large, vibrant program with long-term programs in four major forested and/or wetland landscapes: Eastern Plains, Northern Plains, Major Rivers, and Tonle Sap.
The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS), which constitutes a significant part of Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL), consists of nearly 300,000 ha of lowland and hill semi-evergreen and deciduous forest in, supporting globally significant primate and bird populations. Nearly 30,000 people live on the edge of or inside the protected area, many of them ethnic Bunong.
Following the loss of forest to the south and west, KSWS is now located on a deforestation frontier. The protected area has been a REDD+ project1 for 13 years, generating and selling a significant volume of carbon credits.
The challenge now is to prevent deforestation and maintain the integrity of KSWS in the face of the mounting threats. The 5-year Keo Seima Strategy was developed in 2021 to achieve this goal, by motivating and inspiring government, local communities, and civil society to value and protect KSWS.
As part of the KSWS REDD+ project strategy, WCS oversees a sub-grants scheme where we outsource components of the project to locally-based organizations that have the capacity to deliver project outcomes effectively. We have just recently (March to June 2023) had a new call for proposals, which is going to more than double the portfolio of sub-grant projects we are overseeing. In total we are working to have 15 sub-grants up and running by July/August 2023, including five ongoing sub-grants from 2022 (that have been awarded 2nd phases), and ten new sub-grants, following the recent call for proposals. The value of each sub-grant is between US$50,000 and $100,000.
Currently we have a team of two Cambodians in the REDD+ Sub-Grants team directly handling the grant applications, the contracting of new grantees, reviewing and revising proposals and budgets, processing reports, exchanging letters and emails with grantees etc., all of which is in English.
Whilst both these staff speak and write in reasonable English, it is not of a professional standard and therefore needs to be continually checked and edited. We are therefore looking for short- term technical support to help our sub-grants team, especially with their English, during the current intense period of work supporting the start-up phases of 15 sub-grants.
Position Summary/ Responsibilities:
Reporting directly to the REDD+ Sub-Grant Coordinator, and indirectly to the REDD+ Project Manager/Landscape Manager, the role would be more than just reviewing documents and emails, but also some writing and hands-on support to the sub-grants team in all areas of their work.
Specific tasks would include:
- Key level of support to the REDD+ Sub-Grant Coordinator e.g. reviewing/redrafting emails, checking and discussing proposals, reports, budgets etc. Providing advice and a 2nd opinion on decisions and linking as necessary with other WCS staff/advisors.
- In addition to supporting the REDD+ Sub-Grant Coordinator, working closely with the REDD+ Sub-Grant Officer and the Livelihood Technical Advisor, especially regarding their written outputs.
- Capacity building support to all three above (underlined) positions, in particular providing support in English writing; proofing and editing documents, helping redraft emails, etc.
- Reviewing documents submitted by sub-grantees including narrative proposals, budgets, reports, etc.
- Direct liaison with sub-grantees through emails, telephone, Telegram messaging etc.
- Participation in meetings and workshops with sub-grantees.
- Working with other WCS staff involved with the sub-grants including technical advisors, and members of the Phnom Penh Grants Department.
Minimum Requirements:
- High level/proven proficiency in English writing/reading/speaking. English as mother tongue, or equivalent standard, is seen as essential for this assignment.
- Graduate degree minimum in a related discipline; post graduate degree preferred.
- Experience of project management and administration, ideally in the conservation sector, or a related sector, including knowledge of logical frameworks and M&E.
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills including their use in managing budgets and project logframes.
- Excellent Microsoft Word skills including editing skills.
- Proven ability to manage, guide and support Cambodian staff of different capacities.
- Knowledge and understanding of small grant contracting procedures, and financial and narrative reporting requirements is an advantage.
- Some verbal skills in Khmer, a definite advantage.
Duration:
Starting as soon as possible, the role will have a 3-month probation review with a full-year contract extension possible based on performance.
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV (by combining into single PDF file) together with salary requirements and the names and contact information of three references to cambodiahr@wcs.org.
Moreinfo: https://cambodia.wcs.org/About-Us/Careers.aspx
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