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Program Director STEWARD Location: Freetown

The US Forest Service, International Programs (USFS/IP) seeks a full-time Program Director for the Sustainable and Thriving Environment for West African Regional Development (STEWARD) Program, a four-year integrated natural resource management program funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID). Program activities focus on biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental policy, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ivory Coast. The Program Director will take the lead role in the management and monitoring of all program activities and partnerships.

Position Description

Responsibilities of the Program Director include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic direction for biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental policy, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
• Organize technical assistance missions for USFS/IP and USAID experts in support of program goals and provide technical support to short-term USFS/IP detailers on technical assistance missions within the West African region.
• Provide reporting and program implementation information on a regular basis to USAID/Washington, USAID/West Africa, and USFS/IP.
• Finalize work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Hire and supervise foreign national project staff and consultants as needed to implement program activities.
• Work and communicate closely with USAID missions, STEWARD funded partners, host country government agencies, and other relevant programs in West Africa to facilitate increased regional collaboration, information sharing, and management related to West African natural resource management, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and WASH.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

• Minimum five to ten years' experience managing USAID programs in Africa;
• Experience in forestry, climate change, and natural resources;
• Professional proficiency in French and English;
• Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders; strong interpersonal skills;
• Familiarity with USFS and USAID policies and procedures;
• Demonstrated leadership, supervision, and communication skills.

Location: Based in Freetown, Sierra Leone but with frequent trips to project sites in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Ivory Coast.

Application Instructions: Please send electronic submission including cover letter highlighting relevant experience, a resume including all language abilities, and a list of three references with contact information with “Program Director” in subject line to Stephanie Otis at srotis@fs.fed.us by October 24th. The selected applicant will be hired through a contractor.