Khetha Programme: Chief of Party

**Job Advert Summary**:
This is a 15-month fixed term contract starting 1st July 2023 to be based in WWF office in White River (Mpumalanga) with potential for remote working.

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is _for nature, for you_.

Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

**Khetha Programme**:
The Khetha Programme aims to halt the impacts of wildlife trafficking on key populations of flagship species and communities around protected areas in the South African and Mozambican landscape of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). We will achieve our goal through collaboration between WWF South Africa and partners towards the following objectives:

- Support innovative partnerships and novel approaches within civil society, communities, the private sector, and government in at least four innovation nodes in the GLTFCA to improve relationships between people and wildlife.
- Support the implementation of critical wildlife trafficking policy frameworks for South Africa and Mozambique to increase crime prevention, detection, prosecution, and collaboration; 3. Learn, collaborate, and coordinate with influential institutions in the GLTFCA landscape to strengthen the collective response to wildlife trafficking.

The project objectives contribute to the implementation of the United States National Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking and complement regional and bilateral programmes managed by USAID and other United States Government agencies in southern Africa. The programme also aligns with ongoing responses by donors, governments, the private sector and civil society as well as to relevant national strategies in Mozambique and South Africa.

**Background to the role**:
WWF South Africa is seeking a highly experienced and proven Chief of Party to provide governance oversight and leadership through to close out of the Programme on 30th September 2024. The Chief of Programme will be based at the WWF SA office in White River and report directly to the Senior Manager: Wildlife, with additional reporting requirements to the Chief Financial Officer.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- Tertiary qualification (preferably postgraduate) in relevant discipline.
- Minimum 12 years’ experience in managing complex and multi-agency teams and projects.
- Proven ability to liaise with donors, specifically USAID, multi-disciplinary partners and government officials.
- Ability to manage effective project cycle management process including proven implementation of financial management, reporting and auditing.
- Experience with establishing and managing performance-based management systems.
- Track record of managing dispersed teams and projects across different disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
- Technical understanding of wildlife management, illegal wildlife trade and community conservation issues would be beneficial.
- Regional and international experience in conservation / development sector.
- Confident oral communication and excellent writing skills.
- A valid driver’s license and experience in driving 4x4 off-road.
- Ability to undertake travel to project sites is essential for this position.
- Non-South African citizens will require a valid work permit.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- **Provide compliance and governance leadership and oversight to the Khetha Programme**
- Maintain compliance with the WWF SA / USAID Co-operative agreement and WWF SA organisational policies and procedures.
- Serve as a solutions-oriented expert for all major USAID and internal compliance matters.
- Design and advise on policies, procedures, and trainings to ensure compliance.
- Develop and maintain strong relations with key WWF SA internal stakeholders, namely Senior Management Team and Finance and Business Support as needed.
- Advise the organization and disseminate information on any changes made to compliance regulations and assess impact on WWF SA.
- Respond to escalated USAID compliance related questions and issues.
- Advise on USAID grant and contractual matters and ensure there is a strong understanding across the organization of what issues nee