Organisational details The Wild Bird Trust runs conservation projects which presently have operations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola through the presence of local operating entities being The Wild Bird Trust in South Africa, The Botswana Wild Bird Trust and the Lisima Foundation in Angola. We also have a USA based 501c3 organisation, The Wild Bird Foundation of America.
The projects and operations of the Wild Bird Trust include:
On the establishment of the Lisima Foundation in Angola, the Wild Bird Trust is seeking to employ a suitably qualified and experienced individual for the position of General Director. The General Director will lead an already existing team of people with the possible future need for further expansion in order to achieve the goals of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) in Angola.
The National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) has as its primary goal the long-term protection and sustainable management of the entire Okavango River Basin for the benefit of the people and wildlife who call it their home. The NGOWP uses scientific and survey work to build connections amongst governments, non-governmental organizations and local communities to help inform planning for the long-term goal of establishing sustainable management of the Okavango River Basin in general and in specific the Okavango Watershed’s source rivers with a view to protecting them forever, AND The Okavango Eternal (OE) is a partnership between De Beers and National Geographic to help protect the source waters of the Okavango Delta and falls within the scope of the NGOWP. This five-year partnership will expand the NGOWP’s existing work to protect the Okavango Basin, which spans Angola, Namibia and Botswana, from the growing risks of climate change, population density, water diversion and commercial agriculture further upstream. Okavango Eternal focuses on partnering with local communities and protecting this extraordinary natural wonder for future generations.
Reporting Lines The General Director will report directly to:
The General Director will be supported by the Senior Strategic Advisor NGOWP, Country Director NGOWP and Operations Director, with additional lines of communication with the NGOWP Project Office which will include finance, community development, impact and research.
Job Overview Since 2015, the National Geographic Society’s Okavango Wilderness Project has been working to help secure permanent, sustainable protection for the Okavango Basin. National Geographic has now been joined by De Beers to help secure protection for the Okavango Delta’s headwaters. Over the course of five years, De Beers will work together with the National Geographic Society by providing support and funding to expand and accelerate work already underway, helping to establish sustainable local livelihoods in harmony with the Okavango Basin’s conservation. The partnership will focus on both protecting the natural world and supporting communities across Angola, Botswana and Namibia. This includes the following aspirational goals:
Protecting the natural world:
The General Director will be responsible for the day-to-day management of both the Lisima Foundation and the Lisima Group. They will oversee and manage the technical, administrative and operational execution of the project and lead the Implementation of programmes in-country. Reporting to the Regional Director of the NGOWP, the General Director will be pivotal in ensuring an integrated vision among different components and stakeholders with the focus on achieving the results defined in the project document and donor agreement. This position requires significant management of people, resources, operations and coordination skills, with a broad general and technical knowledge and experience in developing countries to ensure that both short-term and long-term regional objectives are achieved within given time lines. The General Director will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and have a proven track record of successful project management and / or having facilitated the effective change process in an organisation. The General Director will be based in Luanda with frequent travel across Angola and the SADC region.
Key Responsibilities
Administration and Finance
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
People and Resource Management Responsibilities
Working Conditions
Qualifications / Skills / Experience requirements for the role
Application Process If you believe that you have what it takes to fulfil this exciting new role, please send your confidential application to jobs@wildbirdtrust.com with “GENERAL DIRECTOR, ANGOLA” as the email subject line.
In addition your application is to include:
Please note:
The Wild Bird Trust is seeking to employ a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled Namibian citizen for the position of Project Manager.
Job Title Project Manager, Kavango Wilderness Project (KWP)
Wild Bird Trust organisation The Wild Bird Trust (WBT) organisation runs conservation projects which presently have operations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola through the presence of local operating entities. These entities in addition to the USA based, Wild Bird Foundation of America are collectively referred to as the Wild Bird Trust family. The WBT has a collaboration agreement with the National Geographic Society for the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) with a specific focus on the following: ● Exploration and field research expeditions to Angola, Namibia and Botswana; ● Fixed-base research; ● Organizing, implementing and supporting community-based projects; ● Infrastructure development projects; ● Developing engaging conservation media relevant to local and global audiences; ● Organizing events which support and advocate for the various causes linked to the project.
The WBT is in addition, named as the implementing partner under a partnership agreement between the National Geographic Society and De Beers Limited UK which is called Okavango Eternal (OE). This Partnership aims to support both the existing NGOWP and its critical next phase.
**Overview of the role ** The role of Project Manager, KWP is a full time, remote working, permanent position based in Namibia.
Purpose: The Project Manager, KWP will be responsible for developing, managing and overseeing measures to counter any threats to the health and status of the Okavango River Basin in Namibia as discovered by the NGOWP research expeditions. The level of restoration versus protection that will be required for the long term protection of the Kavango River will still be established, but it is clear that a multi-stakeholder approach will be required.
The Project Manager will be required to implement and evaluate a variety of initiatives and activities to promote stakeholder engagement and participation on all levels, as well as measurable behavioural and social change or mobilisation. This person will in addition, also provide backup, technical and operational support to the project and the Country Director Namibia.
Lines of Communication:
Key Functions /Accountabilities:
Requirements for the role
**Competencies **
Application Process If you think you have what it takes to make a success of this role, please send the following to jobs@wildbirdtrust.com and use “PROJECT MANAGER KWP” as the email subject line:
Please note:
Job Overview The MD, BWBT will be based in Maun, Botswana and will be required to occasionally travel both regionally and internationally. This person has the overall responsibility of the technical and operational execution of the project for the Botswana region and will provide the strategic leadership required for the implementation and consistent, successful delivery of all programmes in the country. The MD will be pivotal in ensuring an integrated vision among different components and stakeholders with the focus on achieving the results as defined in the project document and donor agreement. This position requires significant management of people, resources, operations and coordination skills, with a broad general and technical knowledge and experience in developing countries to ensure that both short-term and long-term regional objectives are achieved within given time lines. The MD will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and have a proven track record of successful project management and / or having facilitated the effective change process in an organisation.
**Key Responsibilities **
Administration and Finance
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
People and Resource Management Responsibilities
Working Conditions
Qualifications / Skills / Experience requirements for the role
Application Process If you believe that the role of MD is a potential opportunity that will allow you to prove your excellence, innovation and success, please send your confidential application to jobs@wildbirdtrust.com with “MANAGING DIRECTOR, BWBT” as the email subject line.
In addition your application is to include:
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