MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Country Representative – IUCN Rwanda and the IUCN Regional Head, Land Systems for GCF related matters, and in close consultation with the Global Programme Manager of the GCF Programme in IUCN, the Chief of Party (CoP) is responsible for the overall management of the TREPA project on behalf of the Accredited Entity and within the strategic guidance by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) chaired by Ministry of Environment of the Government of Rwanda.

The CoP will provide technical leadership and support to the implementation of the different project activities, and in doing so will work to ensure coherence with the TREPA project framework developed at the national project management unit (PMU) and district levels (coordination/implementation) hubs with relevant parties. The CoP will oversee the overall monitoring of the use of funds and the procurement plan. S/he will be head of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and will be supported by Programme Managers of different components, Senior Finance Officer and a Project Administrator. In addition, s/he will provide guidance on the strategic direction of the project to other project management unit staff (i.e. Coordinators, Administration and finance) and technical experts recruited to deliver project activities. S/he will ensure proper monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all project activities. The CoP will also serve as the Secretary of the Project Steering Committee, which is comprised of key stakeholders and project partners.

The position requires significant coordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, experience in the region, and skills to ensure coherence and consistency in spite of urgent deadlines.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

I)Manage the overall implementation of the TREPA Project activities:

Support the project start-up process, including: the hiring of key staff, the establishment of the governance structure of the project at the national and county levels, schedule kick-off meetings, and guidance on GCF policies and monitoring requirements;
Develop annual activity and procurement work plans, as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, and ensure close monitoring of activities and delivery;
Work closely with the finance team on matters including financial planning, expenditure tracking, sub-contracting to Executing Entities to ensure IUCN policies are applied and GCF requirements are followed;
Follow up on: 1) the compliance of project implementation with GCF policies, IUCN policies and safeguards 2) the performance of the projects with the target indicators, logical framework, workplan and budget through regular reporting and on-site supervision missions;
Work with project staff to receive, review and synthesize monitoring information to support adaptive management and ensure timely compliance with internal and GCF monitoring and reporting requirements, especially to produce the GCF annual performance reports (APRs);
Prepare any required updates / summaries on the projects and participate in project-related meetings with the GCF, government, executing entity partners etc.
Supervise personnel engaged in delivering aspects of the project

II)Coordinate partnership with key stakeholders
Develop and coordinate the project management unit (PMU);
Build, maintain and manage effective working relationships with consortium members. Ensure that each consortium partner is performing to the highest standards, support project objectives and targets, and comply with GCF rules and regulations;
Serve as the single point of contact and project representative with partners and external stakeholders;
Ensure continuous liaison with the relevant Government agencies, NGOs, Civil Society and IUCN.

III)Provide technical advice and support to the implementation of the Project activities
Provide technical inputs to the implementation of the different project activities and outputs – by providing technical inputs to workshop presentations, to studies, to advisory services and to other activities and outputs of the project;
Provide technical support and back-up services to project managers;
Prepare, in consultation with the partners, TORs for consultants and comment on their reports;
Oversee all cross-cutting activities and ensure their strong support of and synergy with technical implementation objectives and vision, including, but not limited to: communications and outreach; Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL), knowledge management; and, gender and social inclusion;
Monitor and report the implementation of environmental and social risk management measures through the programme cycle.

IV)Monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the overall Project deliverables
Carry out regular follow-up and monitoring of implementation activities;
Carry out regular monitoring and reporting on risks and mitigation measures;
Ensure timely preparation and submission of required reports, including bi-annual progress and expenditure reports, per the requirements of GCF;
Provide regular updates on the project’s progress where possible for all parties and reporting requirements;
Facilitate independent evaluations.

Other responsibilities:
Fundraising and programme development support
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.