KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Project Leadership and Management
· Lead the establishment and management of project governance structures, including the PIU, Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Technical Advisory mechanisms.
· Provide strategic, technical, and managerial leadership to ensure effective delivery of the AY4SF project within time, budget and quality parameters.
· Oversee project implementation to ensure activities align with project objectives and goals and meet the quality standards in expected results.
· Lead and supervise the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to deliver against the approved Annual Work Plan.
· Ensure effective systems for planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting are in place and aligned with SCI and GCF standards.
· Ensure timely implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan, Gender Action Plan and Grievance Redress Mechanism.
· Manage risks proactively and ensure appropriate mitigation actions are implemented.
Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
• Serve as the main liaison between SCI, MLAFWRD and the National Designated Authority (Climate Change Management Department).
• Lead engagement with line ministries (EMA, Forestry Commission, MYEDVT, MWACSME, and others), private sector partners and financial institutions.
• Represent the project at Provincial District Development Committee (PDCC) meetings, ensuring integration of Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs) within District Development Plans (DDPs).
• Enable the regular convening of, and report to the Project Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Group, action their recommendations, and report on progress and leverage their support for problem solving.
• Maintain close working relationships with Provincial Permanent Secretaries Offices, RDCs, and community structures to institutionalize climate-resilient planning.
• Facilitate coordination among implementing partners, government agencies and private sector actors for efficient delivery and sustainability.
• Represent SCI and the project in national fora on climate adaptation, resilience, and green jobs on need basis.
Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance
• Leverage Country office and Global Technical Expertise to support technical quality of programme implementation
• Ensure technical coherence and quality assurance oversight across project outputs, including:
o Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs) integrated into DDPs,
o climate resilient value chains,
o youth empowerment and green jobs, and
o promotion of nature-based solutions (NbS) for ecosystem restoration.
• Oversee mainstreaming of cross-cutting priorities such as gender equality, social inclusion and youth empowerment.
• Promote adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making through regular reflection, learning, and planning cycles.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
• Oversee implementation of the project’s MEAL Framework aligned with GCF’s Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF).
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly, six monthly and annual reports to the Project Steering Committee, Executing Entities, Accredited Entity (SCA), and other stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and quality reporting to GCF via the Executing Enitiy and Accredited Entity, including facilitating reporting on the in-kind contributions from the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Foster a strong learning culture and document best practices in locally led adaptation and youth-driven climate action.
• Participate in cross-country learning events and Community of Practice with other SC supported GCF projects to share experiences from Zimbabwe and learning from others where relevant.
Financial and Operational Management
• Oversee efficient financial management, ensuring full compliance with GCF fiduciary standards and SCI standards and policies.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and expenditures, ensuring cost-effectiveness and value for money.
• Oversee procurement, logistics and contract management for partners, consultants, and suppliers.
• Ensure robust internal controls and transparent fund flow mechanisms between SCI Zimbabwe, government partners, and implementing partners.
Team Management and Capacity Strengthening
• Lead, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary team to achieve high performance, accountability, and collaboration.
• Foster an inclusive and empowering culture within the PIU and district teams.
• Build capacity of staff, government counterparts and partners on climate adaptation, resilience programming and GCF compliance.
• Encourage knowledge sharing and staff development across districts and partners.
Child Safeguarding, Safety and Ethics
• Ensure project staff and partners uphold SCI’s Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policies.
• Ensure all incidents and risks are reported and addressed according to SCI standards.
• Promote a culture of transparency, ethical behaviour and safety in all operations.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Advanced degree in Climate Change, Environment, Natural Resources Management, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
• Minimum 10 years’ progressive experience managing large, complex, multi-stakeholder projects (preferably GCF, Global Environmental Fund, Adaptation Fund, UNEP, IUCN, AfDB, World Bank, or EU-funded).
• Proven experience engaging and coordinating with national, provincial, and district government institutions.
• Strong understanding of locally led adaptation, ecosystem-based approaches, green jobs and climate-resilient livelihoods.
• Excellent leadership, coordination and partnership management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management, reporting and compliance oversight experience.
• Exceptional communication, representation and relationship-building skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and any other local language.
Desireable
• Experience working with an INGO.
• Familiarity with GCF standards expectations and reporting processes.
• Knowledge of youth entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and climate finance mechanisms.
• Working knowledge of local languages.