Advisor III in Forestry
(Based in Yaounde, Cameroon)
SNV-Cameroon is seeking a Senior Forestry Advisor to join our Centre-South-East portfolio team based in Yaoundé Cameroon.
SNV Cameroon provides and manages advisory services in capacity building and advocacy with local organisations (private, public, and NGOs) engaged in development work and poverty reduction in line with the MDGs and the government GESP (Growth and Employment Strategy Paper, replacing the former PRSP). Our interventions focus on the improvement of revenues, employment and production in community forestry and pastoral livestock, and better access to basic services in potable water and primary health care. In all our work, special attention is given to issues of governance, gender, and social inclusion of minority / marginalised groups.
SNV-Cameroon uses a value chain approach, seeking those particular points where our specific interventions can help to influence positive and lasting improvements in the livelihoods of the poor. In the forestry sector, we work mainly with community forest groups in the timber/wood value chain, and with marginalised groups who make their living from the collection and sale of NTFPs (Non-Timber Forest Products).
In collaboration with the portfolio team, and focusing on results and long term impact, the Senior Forestry Advisor will provide capacity building and advocacy services to specific clients. The Advisor will also combine technical and managerial capabilities to engage, train, and manage LCBs (Local Capacity Builders) to provide advisory services to clients. The Senior Forestry Advisor will collaborate with the portfolio team in the identification of funding opportunities and the preparation and presentation of project proposals. Finally, the Senior Forestry Advisor will provide coaching and mentoring to intermediate and junior advisors.
The successful candidate will have experience with different types of forest environments, and a proven track record of achieving results working with marginalised groups. Experience / interest in the inclusive business approach is an asset. Experience in good governance issues is essential, and knowledge of the forestry sector in Cameroon is preferred, as the successful candidate will play a significant role in national policy analysis and improvement, as well as the mobilisation of relevant stakeholders for institutional and legal changes at national level. The successful candidate will have a proven track record as a strong, collaborative team player, able to work well in cross-cultural contexts.
Responsibilities of the Senior Forestry Advisor
• Provides high quality advisory services to clients and partners in the forestry sector.
• Provides ongoing analyses and updates of the context analysis related to partner/client organizations.
• Identifies and proposes new clients to the portfolio team as appropriate, and once approved, develops advisory plans and negotiates agreements with the client organizations.
• Supports and advises the Portfolio Coordinator on the development and revision of the yearly and multi-year work strategies and plans.
• In collaboration with the Portfolio Coordinator, provides coaching and mentoring to intermediate and junior advisors.
• In collaboration with the Portfolio Coordinator and the national PRM Officer (Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation), develops and maintains a network of partners for the implementation and funding of portfolio activities.
• Participates actively in knowledge development groups and other thematic groups internally and externally in order to exchange experiences and build upon lessons learned (knowledge development and management).
Expected Results
• Provision of high quality, effective advisory services contributing to a positive impact in the livelihoods of clients as measured by the indicators of the client agreements and SNV’s quality standards.
• Effective collaboration in the acquisition of resources for the support of advisory and programme activities.
• Contribution towards improvements in the performance of intermediate and junior advisors from the coaching and mentoring received, as measured by interviews and performance appraisals.
Main activities
Advisory Services:
• Provide relevant advisory services to specific client organisations.
• Ensure and support the provision of capacity building services by LCBs, including assistance with the capacity development needs of the LCBs.
• Strategically establish and formalize working relationships, including the establishment and signature of conventions and activity agreements.
• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of advisory services offered, and take appropriate steps to ensure continuous improvement and consistent satisfaction of clients.
• Provide concise, complete, and timely, reports, case studies, and other documents as required.
Strategic Duties:
• Reflection and collaboration with the portfolio team for the preparation of the multi-year forest sector plan.
• Design objectives and engagements with clients and partners so as to ensure the linkage between meso and macro level interventions in order to create more impact in areas where SNV Cameroon operates.
• Ensure the high quality and continuous improvement of the planning logic and results chain, with clear linkages between objectives, activities, and indicators, and SMART indicators.
• Network with partners, and collaborate in the research and preparation of concept notes and project proposals.
Coaching and Mentoring:
• Proactively establish dialogues with intermediate and junior colleagues to provide coaching or mentoring as appropriate.
• Provide feedback to the Portfolio Coordinator and HRO on the progress of the coaching and mentoring.
Finance and Administration:
• Proactively seek the necessary information and ensure all internal SNV systems and procedures are properly followed.
Description duty station
Name: Yaoundé
Medical facilities: Good medical services in hospitals, private clinics and pharmacies
Educational facilities: Good French and American international schools for primary and secondary education
Security situation: Good. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring of safety measures is necessary
Accessibility: Daily international flights, reasonable to good roads, adequate transport facilities
Communication: Internet, Satellite phone, Telephone, State and Private media (TV, Radio and Press in both French and English)
Contract Duration: 2 years, with the possibility of renewal
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications
Start Date: As soon as possible
• Master’s degree (or extensive experience and a proven track record) in a relevant field (development, economics, natural resource management, social sciences, etc.)
• Work experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in a developing country, preferably in Africa
• Knowledge in forestry and sustainable forest management, with proven skills in at least 2 of the following areas: community forestry, forest governance, forest certification, climate change, carbon markets, small-scale timber production and marketing, and/or non-timber forest products.
• Commitment and proven track record of working in pro-poor approaches taking into consideration social inclusion and gender, sustainability, and governance related issues.
• Knowledge and experience in Value Chain Development, especially for timber and non-timber forest products.
• Excellent analytical skills combined with a practical and pragmatic approach oriented towards achieving lasting results.
• Fluency in both French and English is essential, as well as excellent listening skills combined with oral and written communication skills in both languages.
• Knowledge of and experience with participatory techniques, coaching, networking, learning, alliance building, and team building.
• Broad experience in capacity building, facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes, organisational learning, change processes, and strategy formulation.
• Good team player, pragmatic and patient negotiator with solution orientated approach
• Excellent knowledge of data processing (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet) and other computer systems How to apply?
Please send your application letter and CV (in English) along with indication of recent salary and benefit package to BLIFANDA@snvworld.org (att. Beboi LIFANDA, HR Officer) before 5 November 2010 with reference number CM 3695.
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