PROGRAMME HEAD, CLIMATE-SMART LAND USE APPOINTMENT BRIEF JULY 2017
ABOUT WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL Wetlands International is global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. Wetlands International has 20 offices that share the name and brand Wetlands International and implement a joint Strategic Intent. The organisation has its head office in Ede-Wageningen (Netherlands). The vision of Wetlands International is: a world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide. INTRODUCTION Wetlands International is seeking a Programme Head for Climate-smart Land Use to build on the platform and credibility they have established in this field - and to drive this work forward globally, both in terms of influence of sectoral actors and the establishment and scaling up of programmes. This will be achieved by joining a small team of Programme Heads in the Head Office of Wetlands International, who together guide and facilitate programme development and implementation on behalf of the whole network organisation. Wetlands International has a well-established and long-term leadership role on mobilising peatland knowledge, conservation and restoration (including major restoration programmes in Russia and Indonesia), extensive partnerships and a portfolio of projects from the tropics to the Arctic. Connecting the work of different offices around the globe for maximum impact, the organisation has been working with producers and influencing policies and production methods to achieve responsible and sustainable use of wetlands e.g. for peat, palm oil, rice, soy livestock and aquaculture. Peatland Treasures is included as one of the five Streams in Wetlands International s Strategic Intent 2015-2025, with an ambition to work closely with government, conventions, industry groups and civil society to reshape and scale up policies, plans and investments in climate-smart land use to transform whole peatland landscapes. Oxford HR has been retained as an executive search consultancy to assist Wetlands International in finding suitable candidates for this role. Page 2 of 7
THE ROLE The Programme Head of Climate-smart Land Use is responsible to develop and guide Wetlands International s policy influence and programmes in relation to climate-smart land use, including a strong focus on peatlands, according to Wetlands International s goals. This work involves influencing science, policy, practice, and investments in both the public and private sectors. To achieve these goals, the Programme Head will act as part of a global leadership team in head office and coordinate with a wide array of actors and policy networks as well as with Wetlands International offices in all regions for resource mobilisation, programme development and implementation. The role includes management of a small team of technical staff in the head office. PROGRAMME HEAD, CLIMATE-SMART LAND USE SALARY: Scale 13-14 (Euro 3.943 Euro 5.476) LOCATION: CONTRACT: REPORTING TO: COORDINATING WITH: Ede-Wageningen, Netherlands 1 year contract, renewable for another period of 12 months, with the possibility of becoming permanent after 2 years in post. Full-time, 36 hours per week Head of Programmes CEO, COO, Head of Programmes, Programme Heads, Communications and Advocacy staff and other technical and operations staff in head office; Heads of Office and technical staff from network offices, Associate Experts Page 3 of 7
RESPONSIBILITIES Provide leadership for Wetlands International s work to promote climatesmart land use in relation to all programmes, including leading the interoffice team and coordinating implementation of the Peatland Treasures Stream of our Strategic Intent 2015-2025 Supervise and manage staff, consultants, projects, contracts and budgets according to Wetlands International policies and standards Evaluate and report on implementation progress towards our Strategic goals for the Peatland Treasures Stream and contribute to institutional reporting and learning processes in the organisation Nurture and maintain specialist expert networks relevant to peatlands and climate smart land use As a senior member of the programme leadership with a global role, develop strategic initiatives, partnerships and programmes and mobilise (financial, technical and human) resources to contribute to achieve organisational goals Contribute to the development of organisational strategies, positions and policies, reviewing programmatic achievements, as well as prioritisation of strategic initiatives and partnerships to deliver the Strategic Intent Represent and promote Wetlands International with external partners, donors, members and networks on various Represent and promote Wetlands International with external partners, donors, members and networks on various levels and in a multitude of international settings Carry out other tasks according to the organisational needs as agreed with the Head of Programmes in individual work plan Page 4 of 7
PERSON SPECIFICATION Profile: The Programme Head is a visionary and facilitative leader with the professional insights, active networks, programme/project management experience and management competencies to lead a network-wide team and related partners to deliver concrete, innovative and tangible results related to wetlands and climate-smart land use. The Programme Head recognizes opportunities and acts upon them. The Programme Head is a teambuilder, facilitator, coach, mediator and diplomat. Essential: Demonstrated knowledge of policy and practical aspects of wetlands ecosystems and climate-smart land use Extensive experience on programme/project development and implementation with a track record of successful results, working with dispersed teams and diverse partners Proven ability to inspire, empower and motivate colleagues in and outside of Wetlands International, so as to build a high performance team Knowledge of key issues, debates, trends and key global processes related to climate-smart land use and sustainable agriculture Diplomat, good listener with strong interpersonal skills and comfortable working across different cultures and levels of society; confident communicator and advocate for different target audiences at all levels Strong willingness and ability to learn, share and innovate; Proven ability to mobilise ideas through developing and coordinating teams Language: excellent communications skills in English, essential: written, oral and presentation. Commitment to Wetlands International s mission, values and ways of working Willingness and ability to travel regularly Preferred: Has an elaborate international network with relevant (international) NGOs, academics, knowledge institutes, governments, and other regional & global institutions Proficiency in French, Spanish or Dutch EDUCATION: Minimum of a master s degree in a relevant discipline Page 5 of 7
HOW TO APPLY All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, please complete our online application form and submit the following information preferably in MS Word: An up-to-date curriculum vitae (of no more than 3-4 sides of A4) A detailed statement (of no more than 2- sides of A4) explaining why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you suitable. (Please look at Advice for Candidates on the Oxford HR website for hints on how to write a successful statement). The Oxford HR Online Form, which provides us with the key information we will need to take your application through to interview. Please note: also enclosed with this form is Oxford HR s Equal Opportunities Form. You are under no obligation to complete this. Any information you do provide will only be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will remain confidential. It will not be used as part of the selection process. N.B. The documents should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (yymm) e.g: Pat-Jones-CV-1502 Pat-Jones-Statement-1502 Closing date 11 th Sep 2017 Preliminary interviews w/c 18 th Sep 2017 Final Panel Interviews early 2 nd Oct 2017 These dates may be subject to change, and applicants will be advised in advance should this happen. SELECTION PROCESS All candidates will receive feedback within four working days of the closing date. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview. EQUALITY STATEMENT Equality and diversity is at the core of Wetlands International values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. QUERIES If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Ana Filipa Fernandes or Felicia Malachi at wetlandsclimate@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance. Page 6 of 7
ABOUT OXFORD HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and UK charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. Photo credits: Wetlands International