Job Title: Country Requirements Reviews – Programme Manager
Location: Bonn, Germany
Contract duration: 2 years (extension possible)
Reporting: Head of Policy Solutions

DRS is looking, on behalf of our client, an INGO, for a** Country Requirements Reviews – Programme Manager** to ensure the development, maintenance, and consistent implementation of the organization’s normative framework related to forest standards and associated risk assessments, in line with the applicable internal rules and procedures. The position will require close coordination with relevant programmes and other units within the organization.

Main Roles and Responsibilities:
Jointly with the twin Country Requirements General Functions Programme:

• Lead the Country Requirements Reviews Team, including staff supervision.
• Drive, coach, nurture, and inspire the Team to achieve a high sense of belonging, trust and fulfilment, as well as enable team members to deliver a high level of performance.
• Exercise the above leadership in the spirit of the organization’s Leadership Principles.
• Establish and implement effective and outcome-oriented work plans based on considerate annual budgets and in line with organizational strategies and priorities.
• Exercise high-quality project management in the Programme.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of all projects in the responsibility of the Programme within the planned budget.
• Ensure full alignment and seamless collaboration with the twin Country Programmes, including aligned leadership and supervision style.
• Establish and implement effective and outcome-oriented work plans based on considerate annual budgets and in line with organizational strategies and priorities.
• Coordinate and oversee the development, approval, maintenance, review, revision, and interpretation of country normative requirements and create and maximize synergies between the relevant procedures and reporting systems.
• Supervise the development of related communications, guidance, and training materials for the developers of standards and risk assessments for the actual users (certificate holders and certification bodies) as well as for the relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and adequate interventions to prevent delays and standstills in the ongoing processes.
• Maintain a well-functioning reporting system for the ongoing processes delivering regular, timely, and up-to-date status reports to management and approval bodies.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a model for the integrated review and revision of the organization’s Principles & Criteria, International Generic Indicators, and country standards.
• Management Community and to oversee its management by the assigned coordinator.
• Coordinate activities within and beyond PSU, especially with the Forest Management Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme, and Regional Offices.
• Support fundraising and reporting to donors.
• Perform additional project work and additional tasks as assigned for special business needs and agreed upon with the formal supervisor.
• Adhere to PSU operational procedures, e.g. conformance with the internal PSU accreditation program for normative knowledge, agile work planning, reporting on office presence, etc.
• Present the organization’s work in various fora, as applicable.
• Participate in the organization’s internal competence and accreditation program.

Requirements:
**Education and Training: **

• A minimum MSc degree in Forest Management is required.
• Other degrees are a strong asset (e.g., Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Business Administration).
• PhD degree is a very strong asset.

Working Experience, Style and Skills:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: Forest Management, Natural Resource Management, Conservation management, Certification, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Project Management.
• Experience in the following areas is a very strong asset: multi-stakeholder standards development processes and corporate environmental responsibility programs.
• Proven experience in the successful management of projects.
• Documented experience with documentation review and proven records of document management.
• Strong review and document evaluation skills: ability to understand complex contents and assess its relevance and applicability in a given context using standardized approaches.
• Excellent time management skills: ability to perform well while handling several functions simultaneously.
• Experience in fundraising and donor reporting is a plus.
• Very strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A very strong sense for diligence and accuracy.
• Service and solution-oriented attitude to work.
• Proactiveness and high level of engagement.
• Administration skills.

Leadership:

• Demonstrated strategic abilities.
• At least 5 years of experience in a people leadership position.

Computer Skills – very good skills in the use of/experience with:

• Standard software packages (MS Office 365; excellence in MS Word).
• Ability to quickly derive insights from data and reports, as well as guide data analytics relevant for the program performance.

Communication and relationship management skills:

• Exemplary verbal and written conduct and communication skills.
• Skills to lead a conversation and the ability to arrive at timely conclusions.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Conflict management skills.
• Assertiveness.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Fluency in Spanish (spoken and written) is a plus.
• Fluency in French (spoken and written) is a plus.
• Ability to explain complex topics to a layman’s audience.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relations.

How to Apply:

Applications and updated CVs should be submitted on the following link: https://drs-jobs.developmentaid.org/jobs/7774/country-requirements-reviews-programme-manager. Due to the high number of applications received via the DevelopmentAid website, we can only reply to shortlisted candidates. Please note that the above requirements can be modified during the recruitment process according to the client’s procedures.