Norlha Volunteer Environmental Project Manager

Norlha is a non-profit, apolitical and secular association based in Lausanne, Switzerland. We support the sustainable improvement of living conditions of the most vulnerable populations in the Himalayas, without discrimination of ethny, race, or religion. On the field, we collaborate actively with local partners to implement projects that really meet their needs. As a young and small but fast growing organisation, guided by an experienced Strategic Board, we are constantly striving to improve the efficiency of our actions, while combining an open and friendly working atmosphere with professionalism.

Norlha's environmental program currently consists mainly in environmental awareness raising and setting up of waste collection system in a Tibetan region of Sichuan (China), as well as a sustainable agriculture project in Bhutan. In the near future, further projects are to be set up in China, Nepal and Bhutan, in the sectors of water and sanitation, small-scale renewable energies, mountain natural disaster risk reduction and environmental protection in general.
We are continuing to enlarge our motivated team with people willing to use their passion, skills, and time to produce concrete results that will support sustainable livelihoods in the Himalayas.

Job Description

• Manage our WASTE project in China, based in Lausanne
• Regular financial and operational reporting to Programme Manager and Operational Director
• Provide strategic advice to ensure the good implementation of the project
• Motivate and guide people on the site to ensure efficient results

Academic Qualifications/Education

Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Environmental Science/Studies, Climate Change

Professional experience

• Ideally, knowledge of the environmental and climate change challenges in the Himalayas
• A first experience in managing environmental projects
• Organized, able to communicate ideas and recommendations efficiently
• Comfortable with contacting people and coordination; ability to look for external support (eg. expertise) and share experiences with similar organizations

• Highly motivated to work at the service of the local communities and preserving the environment, strong sense of personal commitment

• Good diplomatic skills

Language skills

Professional command of written and spoken English and French

Required availability

• Minimum commitment length: ideally 1 year

• Minimum 10% - 25% depending on the project phase, with flexible working times

• Ideally at least one monthly meeting in Lausanne, shared office at disposal, but work from home is possible

How to apply:

To apply, please send a CV, a cover letter in English to jennifer.andre@norlha.org mentioning “Volunteer Environmental Project Manager” in the subject by Wednesday 31 July 2012. Please note that Norlha will not provide any help to obtain a visa for Switzerland and the organization will only respond to shortlisted candidates.