Country Director

Zimbabwe Country Director

Reports To: Africa Director

Location/Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe

Terms: Full Time

Duration: Permanent

About IFAW:

The International Fund for Animal Welfare is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at www.ifaw.org

Position Summary/ Objective

The Country Director position serves as the front-line IFAW representative with the Government of Zimbabwe, diplomatic missions, local communities, and other NGOs to advance our mission overall and priorities in the country. The incumbent will have overall accountability and leadership of the IFAW Zimbabwe’s performance, guiding country strategy development and implementation consistent with IFAW’s Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP). The Director is charged with overseeing and guiding staff charged with the responsibility of undertaking the various programs and activities that advance IFAW’s conservation agenda, specifically the Room to Roam Initiative in a priority anchor landscape. The Director, in consultation with the Africa Director ensures operational planning, and oversees financial, operations and human resource management for effective delivery of institutional and programmatic strategies.

Cooperating with Program Directors, this position works towards identifying future focused strategic initiatives to grow our work for impact in Zimbabwe that align with global priorities. The Director works closely with leadership across IFAW to build and deliver our commitment to conservation and rescue, in Zimbabwe. The position is accountable for ensuring the consistent, high-quality performance of staff in Zimbabwe, fostering an understanding of global strategy, accountability, professionalism, and recognition. The Country Director models and ensures systematic practice of IFAW values, supporting bold and new thinking by fostering innovation and building effective teams.

Role and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Africa Director, as well as relevant Program Directors and support departments in the development and implementation of the Zimbabwe Strategy in line with Institutional goals
• Negotiate with the host government and relevant institutions (e.g., ZimParks) to ensure that the Country Office has mutually recognized agreements (MOUs) as well as program frameworks guiding implementation
• Provide leadership to ensure the effective development, financing and implementation of strategic program initiatives and projects in Zimbabwe
• In collaboration with functional leadership across IFAW, ensure that project plans are in place to achieve program and brand objectives.
• Lead the implementation of the Zimbabwe strategy, including human resource planning, annual work plan and budget planning. Ensures, through regular monitoring of activities, effective project implementation and use of best programming practices.
• Provide ongoing executive leadership and management direction for all aspects of the Zimbabwe office including operations and procurement, finance, administration, and human resources.
• Ensure strategic engagement and partnership building with relevant national and international stakeholders on conservation and related issues in Zimbabwe (e.g., KAZA TFCA and SADC Secretariat).
• Raise the visibility of the work in Zimbabwe among institutional funders, trusts and high income/net worth individuals and cultivating those relationships that will aid philanthropy staff with prospect development
• Oversee the delivery of any grant funded work in Zimbabwe and ensure timely delivery of activities and reporting to meet donor expectations, including working with IFAW’s Impact and Evaluation team to effectively document impact.
• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence by providing, facilitating, or coordinating high quality technical and management support to staff in Zimbabwe including effective employee relations and performance management systems, regular performance feedback and annual performance appraisals, coaching and mentoring staff in decision-making.
• Undertake regular management team meetings and establish ad hoc committee structures in which input on key issues is sought from colleagues in open discussion.
• Create and maintain an inclusive team environment for regional and international colleagues hosted in the Country Office.
• Provide indirect management and guidance to regional brand and communications and when necessary, serves as IFAW’s main media spokesperson.
• Supervise contractors in the region as required to ensure the achievement of IFAW’s long and short-term program objectives.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• At least 5 years of supervisory experience
• Proven history of engagements with government, local community, and NGO leadership platforms
• Appropriate education/work experience in animal welfare/conservation/natural resources management, proven cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and landscape / geography-based work experience
• Experience in developing and operationalizing strategies that have taken a strategic priority to the next stage of growth
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills. Second language skills strongly preferred
• Proven record of accomplishment in field-based implementation of landscape level programs and an understanding of the importance of planning, monitoring and evaluation in delivering effective programmes
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Mission-driven, self-directed individual with a passion for IFAW’s mission
• Commitment leading with integrity and working collaboratively with a management team of senior professionals

How to apply

Please forward letter of interest, CV, and copy of credentials to the following email: [email protected]

Your application should include your current and expected salary and benefits. The subject for your application should read: Zimbabwe Country Director

Applications should be received before close of business, Friday, 25th November, 2022.