Program Manager - Development Diamond Standards

* **Open only to citizens of Sierra Leone***

The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI International) is an international non-profit organization located inOttawa, Ontario. DDI works on the political, social and economic challenges facing the artisanal diamond mining sector in Africa and South America. For more information on DDI, please visit: www.ddiglobal.org.

DDI seeks to engage a Program Manager for the implementation of the Development Diamond Standards™ Project (DDS). The project ensures that artisanal diamond miners apply certain standards (DDS social and environmental provisions) in their mining activities and are aligned with broader international efforts for responsible supply chains.

The DDS project includes: Standards that set specific and measurable social/environmental provisions for artisanal diamond miners; a realistic operating model for their Application with independent Third-Party Verification; and a traceable Chain of Custody that maintains the integrity of “development diamonds” from the digger to the consumer. The project initiated in 2012, was able to demonstrate the ability and willingness of artisanal diamond miners to operate in accordance to standards, and to qualify for 3rd party certification as development diamond mining (producing) sites.

In the present program, DDI seeks to complete development diamonds’ chain of custody process through the international diamond supply chain, from mine to retail, with appropriate safeguards and marketing. The Program Manager is responsible for facilitating the actualization of this process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working under the direction of the Executive Director and Program Director, based in Canada:

· Work with government representatives on policy related to artisanal diamond mining.

· Represent DDI in Sierra Leone at meetings and sites, maintain relationships with government representatives, diamond industry professionals, site operators and other stakeholders.

· Provide leadership, supervision, and direction for DDI’s field project implementation, including day-to-day coordination, monitoring, and supervision of technical and general office staff, project funds, and consultants, while ensuring quality control of all deliverables.

· Strategic planning in coordination with Headquarters in Canada.

· Ensure timely completion of technical activities and the timely completion of contractual technical reports and deliverables (work plans, quarterly reports, performance monitoring plans, etc.).

· Liaise with local GIZ and other donors, collaborating with local partners and a wide range of stakeholders (including government counterparts, civil society, and the private sector in the diamond sector) to exchange information and strengthen professional relationships.

MANDATORY REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Direct experience in public policy and government relations

· A minimum of 5 years experience in managing projects and supervising staff

· A minimum of 3 years of demonstrated work experience in natural resource program management

· Familiarity of international donor rules and regulations

· Experience with monitoring and evaluation in complex and culturally diverse settings

· Demonstrated history of providing deliverables on time and within budget

· Fluency in written and oral English

· Demonstrated effective communication skills and especially strong interpersonal skills with government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

· Familiarity with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme would be an advantage

· Solid knowledge of artisanal mining issues

· Knowledge of the Sierra Leone’s diamond supply chain dynamics

· Prior experience in Sierra Leone or another African country, with the design and management of artisanal mining projects would be an asset

· Willingness to relocate to Koidu, if not residing in the area.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered applicants must submit the following to dds@ddiglobal.org

· Cover Letter

· CV in reverse chronological format

· A list of at least three professional references including name, contact information, and statement of relationship to the reference.

We thank everybody for their interest in this position, however only short-listed candidates will be contacted. For short-listed candidates, a written exam will be administered and final candidates will be invited for a panel interview.