US Forest Service International Recruitment 2017

The US Forest Service (USFS), International Programs and Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), as a part of the US Agency for International Development’s bilateral programs in Ghana, seeks a full-time Project Director to lead the implementation of the
Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project in the Western Region.
The USFS Office of International Programs promotes sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and disaster management internationally. By linking the skills of the field-based
staff of the USFS with partners overseas, the agency can address the world’s most critical forestry issues and concerns, as well as improve capacities to respond to major disasters. The USFS regularly engages the agency’s wide range of expertise in over 90 countries, for programs on
sustainable forest management, climate change, combat illegal logging, fire management, improved systems for responding to disasters, and other topics.

Job Description

Job Title: USFS Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project Director

Background:

The Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project (CSLP) is six-year program supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Feed the Future Initiative and managed by the US Forest Service’s International Programs. Working with local communities and the Government of Ghana, the CSLP is part of the country’s ongoing efforts to mitigate threats to landscape conservation. More specifically,
the CSLP is working to improve carbon sequestration, forest management, and livelihood diversification in the six coastal districts and municipalities of the Western Region. The overall long-term impact of the project is to promote low emissions development in Ghana’s Western Region by strengthening community-based natural resource management and monitoring. The project is focused on the coastal landscape, including mangroves and other wetlands, forests and agricultural areas, both on and off reserve, managed under a diversity of land tenure regimes.

Position Description:

The Project Director will manage the USFS CSLP project and take a lead role in the development, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities and partnerships including:

Program Management and Representation
Provide strategic direction for biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental governance, and food security efforts;
Provide reporting and program implementation information on a regular basis to USFS/IP Washington, USAID/Ghana, and other partners;
Finalize, implement and provide oversight of work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
Manage and oversee execution of financial transactions and record keeping of locally procured goods and services;
Hire and supervise project staff, consultants, and visitors needed to implement program activities in Ghana;
Provide technical and logistical support to short-term USFS/IP detailers on technical assistance missions to the project implementation areas;
Represent USFS to CSLP stakeholders and other current and potential local partners; and,
Explore potential further USFS support to USAID and other USG related efforts in Ghana.

Technical Activities

Work, coordinate, and communicate closely with host country government agencies, project partners, other related USAID projects, and USAID/Ghana to facilitate increased collaboration, information sharing, and management related to sound coastal forest landscape conservation;
Organize technical assistance missions for USFS/IP and USAID experts in support of project goals and provide technical and logistical support to short term USFS/IP detailers on technical assistance missions within Ghana;
Provide support for a network of local partners to engage in research, information dissemination, policy improvements and capacity building of local communities/organizations in natural resource best management practices; and,
Collaborate with partners in the development and implementation of the Performance Management Plan as well as any Environmental Mitigation and
Monitoring Plan for environmental compliance and monitoring of program activities.

Qualifications:

Minimum five years’ experience managing USAID programs in Africa
Professional proficiency in English
Strong interpersonal skills
Demonstrated leadership, management, supervision, and communication skills
Masters/Ph.D. and/or significant experience in forestry, climate change, natural resources, agriculture, conservation biology, environmental sciences, or related field
Demonstrated ability to provide technical coordination and leadership with a broad range of interested parties, across cultures, languages and varying capacity levels in order to catalyze improved natural resource management and livelihood outcomes
Proven ability in broad outreach, including building, maintaining, and managing diverse partnerships ranging from international donor agencies to local civil society groups
Salary will be commensurate with experience. Both Ghanaian and foreign citizens are encouraged to apply.

Location: Takoradi, Ghana

The successful applicant will be hired through a contractor.

How to Apply

If you are interested in more than just a job and would like to share in METI’s success, then please submit your resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
Please include “CSLP Project Director” in the subject line. In the body of the email, please indicate where you saw this posting.
METI offers a superior employee benefits package to include 401K Plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). METI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.