Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) works in Tanzania to support its government partners to conserve wildlife and ecosystems focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places. We work with and for people to secure biodiversity in key ecosystems worldwide as the basis for all life and the livelihoods of present and future generations. FZS maintains long-term conservation programs in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. The Africa Programme is the Society’s largest and oldest and works with partners in five focal countries: Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In Tanzania, FZS works to deliver conservation in the Serengeti, the Selous, and the Mahale ecosystems in partnership with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Purpose of the job:

To provide high-quality technical assistance, and practical and administrative support to the FZS Mahale Ecosystem Management Project (MEMP) to deliver the KFW – KAMACO grant under the supervision of the FZS MEMP program manager. The M&E grant officer will ensure the project is operating within the required project strategy and operational plans, budget, and donor standards, and ensure successful delivery of the project through the management of these processes. The M&E will monitor and evaluate all project activities and provide high-quality training and technical assistance to Partners for the project’s delivery.

Operational Structure

• Reports to the FZS Program Manager
• Interacts daily with the FZS staff based in the Mahale, Kigoma, and Katavi
• Supports key Partners’ staff.

Expected Core Outputs

Support the effective and efficient implementation of donor requirements associated with the KFW project including;

• Prepare a monitoring and evaluation plan for the program, measuring the program’s impact against goals and indicators throughout the project’s life.
• Identify indicators to assess needs, monitor project progress and assess longer-term impacts of the project.
• Run, establish as needed, and supervise operation recording and delivery systems with partners
• Oversee the data collection in the area of work regularly to measure achievement against the project’s performance indicators.
• Work closely with partners and other stakeholders in Mahale, Katavi, and Mpanda in the implementation of FZS activities;
• In collaboration with the program, the manager prepares financial and narrative donor reports on the delivery of the project
• Support coordination and reviewing new project proposals to ensure M&E is built into the budget and design from the start
• In coordination with the program manager, prepare and organize baseline surveys with measurable indicators in line with the objectives outlined in the project document.
• Support logistical arrangements for project activities;
• Work closely with the FZS Programme Manager to ensure that there is value for money for every activity done.
• Oversee the design and operation of databases to enter and analyze survey data.
• Provide training in assessment & monitoring methodologies to relevant staff.
• Manage the development of surveys for assessment & monitoring purposes.
• Support the recruitment and supervision of all the consultancies to achieve the intended outcomes.
• Build the capacity of partners in the delivery of all project activities.

Reporting

• Prepare quarterly monitoring and evaluation progress reports against goals and indicators of the project.
• Coordinate with FZS project staff to provide completed activity reports covering their work, and compile these for monthly submission to the FZS Programme Manager.
• Assist the FZS Programme Manager in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports by obtaining activity reports from FZS field staff and compiling these, for onward submission to the Tanzania Country Director.
• Identify areas where technical support on monitoring, data collection, analysis, and reporting is needed.
• Organize training and in-house coaching on M&E systems as required.
• Support team in preparing quality project progress reporting and facilitate project midterm review and final evaluation.

Partner Relations and Networking

• Strengthen linkages, networking, participation, cooperation, and learning between FZS – TANAPA and a wide range of stakeholders
• Coordinate and communicate with the managers and wardens in charge of the respective sectors/areas and other units as required
• Close communication with the FZS Programme Manager Mahale regarding any ongoing government or partner projects.

Project Management

• Facilitate team building and motivate and maintain strong working relationships with all FZS staff and staff of partner organizations;
• Implement team communication strategies with partners including the government, NGOs, and others;
• Ensure FZS policies and regulations are implemented by project staff;
• Proper, efficient, and transparent use of project funds ensured and expenditure within agreed FZS and donor budgets and according to FZS Financial Policies and Procedures;
• Support the preparation of project reports submitted as per FZS, KFW donor, and government
• Provide necessary support to project staff and reinforce the core FZS values

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Graduate Degree in relevant skills, M.Sc. preferable and Natural Resources will be an added advantage
• 3-10 years experience in monitoring, evaluation grants management, and environmental project management with substantial experience in managing large bilateral donor funding grants.
• Detailed technical knowledge of Monitoring Evaluation & Learning
• Demonstrated ability in data analysis, monitoring, and evaluation of project implementation activities in the context of biodiversity/natural resource and/or development projects.
• Experience in delivering the procurement of services as above (e.g. drafting of project proposals, procurement requirements, guidelines, specifications), preparing financial reporting, developing work plans and reports
• Experience in working across organizational responsibilities and forming good working relationships with staff from other institutional partners
• Experience in project management (e.g. setting timelines, budgets, attending and managing staff and meetings to deliver projects to these)
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities, verbal and listening skills
• Strong experience in training field staff and others
• Experienced in developing and effectively applying performance management plans or similar tools is required.
• Experience applying theories of change, results frameworks, logical frameworks, or similar tools for project design, implementation, and learning is a plus.
• Good computer skills, including use of Office programs such as Outlook, Word, and Excel;
• Must have a proven safe driving record, provide documentation of past traffic violations upon request, and maintain a valid driver’s license; and
• Ability and willingness to work and live in a very remote area under basic conditions.
• Good writing skills
• Ability to travel nationally within Tanzania regularly.
• Fluency in Kiswahili and English, both written and oral
• A passion for wildlife conservation

Behavior Competencies required

• Teamwork: Cooperating and working effectively to achieve a shared goal. Supporting the development of the FZS team
• Communication: Be able to communicate effectively and clearly with colleagues and project partners
• Management: Able to work without direct supervision and supervise, motivate, and manage project staff as required.
• Planning and organizing: Good organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Effectively setting goals and work plans; indicating necessary action, time, and resources, and monitoring progress
• Problem analysis: Pointing out problems, recognizing important information, and establishing connections between various data. Tracing potential causes for problems
• Integrity: to work with the utmost integrity and uphold the FZS code of ethics. Be able to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Flexibility: the role of the pilot sometimes requires extended work hours, workdays, work weeks, and call-outs for emergency response, occasional overnight travel to Stations and other Reserve and Parkside areas may be required.

Work Environment/Travel:

The position will be based in Mahale Katavi