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Capacity-Building Program Manager (CBPM)
Responsible to: Deputy Executive Director

Summary of Responsibilities:
The primary responsibility of all MCT personnel is to further the achievement of its vision of “Enduring partnerships that conserve our land and sea to improve quality of life for communities across Micronesia.” In pursuit of this vision, MCT’s mission is, “We build partnerships, raise and manage funds, make grants, influence policy and provide conservation and financing expertise.”  Additionally, MCT personnel commit to shared norms as are periodically reviewed and updated but which prioritize mutual respect, and integrity, as well as a focus on Micronesia communities and values.
 
Towards the achievement of MCT’s vision and mission, the CBPM is responsible for the overall management of the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) Capacity-Building Program from program development, and financial and technical reporting, to resource mobilization, knowledge management and partnership development. Under the supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, this involves the effective management of the full MCT Capacity-Building portfolio, including but not limited to, existing learning networks, internship and scholarship programs, as well as future and proposed fellowships, internships, training programs and other capacity-building initiatives.  Tasks include program strategy development, individual project/initiative concept design and technical support to MCT grantees and other partners.   Resource mobilization and grant-writing comprise a major component of the CBPM’s responsibility as well, maintaining existing grants and donor relations as well as seeking new opportunities and program support.  The Capacity-Building Program works closely with MCT’s Conservation and Livelihoods programs, ensuring that partners’ capacity needs and project work are integrated and complementary.  The CBPM also works closely with technical partners including the Nature Conservancy, Rare and the Micronesia Challenge Regional Office to coordinate, develop and deliver technical training and support.

Specific Responsibilities:
Program Management and Administration

• Initial priority tasks will include: Review of the August 2019 evaluation of the Capacity-Building program and implementation of selected recommendations from the report.  This will also include the alignment of the re-vamped program with MCT’s 2019-2021 Strategic Action Plan.
• Set annual performance parameters and learning objectives for MCT’s Capacity-Building program and funds portfolio, assess the performance and provide recommendations.
• Management of the annual MCT Capacity-Building related Advised Fund(s) allocations and indirect grant-making, maintenance of the financial integrity of the MCT Capacity-Building Program to ensure the most effective use of MCT’s Capacity-Building Program resources.
• Ensure the maintenance and management of MCT Capacity-Building Program records and files including donor files and other related documents.
• Responsible for maintaining all documents relevant to MIC/PIMPAC and any other capacity-building activities and programs carried out through MCT, including budgets, financial administration systems, contracts, workplans, and training materials.  For PIMPAC s/he is responsible for communicating with the PIMPAC co-coordinator at NOAA regarding budgets and finance.
• Raise funds for new and existing networks and/or other specific projects and programs (internships, fellowships etc.) by writing proposals, negotiating with bilateral and multilateral agencies and cultivating donors as needed.
• Prepare and monitor Capacity-Building program budgets.
• Responsible and accountable for meeting strategic/financial goals and objectives.

Partnership, Coordination and Other

• Manage the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship and the Association for the Promotion of International Cooperation - Japan/Sophia University programs, including leading the recruitment of new scholars/participants, liaising with and advising the MCT Board of Trustees scholarship committee representative, developing and monitoring student workplans and contracts and periodic reporting to donor partners, individual contributors, press outlets and MCT’s social medial accounts and platforms.
• Manage MCT’s current internship programs including the Micronesia Challenge Young Champions (in coordination with the Micronesia Challenge Regional Office), Professional Internships in Pacific Terrestrial Island Ecosystem Management (PIPTIEM)
• Coordinate the Micronesians in Island Conservation (MIC) and the Pacific Islands Managed and Protected Areas Community(PIMPAC)
• Organize MIC/PIMPAC/PIPTIEM retreats, meetings, learning exchanges, facilitated self-assessments, training and capacity building events, and provide follow-up for evaluation and reinforcement.
• Collaborate with other regional programs/initiatives to provide and extract useful lessons and experiences, and coordinate on joint functional initiatives.  This includes the Micronesia Challenge Support Team, the Micronesia Challenge Regional Office (MCRO), the Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Locally Marine Managed Areas Network (LMMA).  Particularly, s/he will explore opportunities for collaboration among MIC and PIMPAC activities where they can meet shared goals.
• Responsible for coordinating PIMPAC/MIC/PIPTIEM funding and other technical support to the Micronesia Challenge Regional office for the development and implementation of the Micronesia Challenge internship and other capacity-building programs.
• Partner and coordinate with appropriate resource agencies/organizations/individuals to provide capacity building and technical assistance to carry out technical and organizational capacity-building support activities such as organizational development planning, management planning, and technical assistance in priority focus areas (e.g. community engagement, monitoring, enforcement, etc.).This work may include development of work plans with jurisdictional teams to identify capacity needs and coordination with appropriate consultants to implement capacity building needs on community engagement activities, development of management plans, enforcement training and community based socio-economic and biological monitoring.
• Dissemination and development of communications materials for websites, reports, newsletters, list-serves, etc.

• Development of PIMPAC annual work-plans for Freely Associated States identifying capacity needs and mechanisms and timeline for providing support

• Responsible for the development and maintenance of a database of technical experts and resource people both within the region and outside of it available to MCT partners and grantees.

Works closely with the MCT Conservation Program Manager to ensure the effective coordination and harmonization of the programs’ priorities and activities and for the successful implementation of MCT Strategic Action Plan and Grant-Making Strategy.

Qualifications: 
Education

• Advanced university degree in human resource development (preferred) and/or NGO Management, Business Administration or similar field or environmental fields, such as natural resource management or environmental economics.

Experience            

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in conservation work, which should include program management and reporting and the supervision of employees, including performance evaluation.  Experience coordinating networks, including organizing meeting or events remotely, including arrangements for air travel, accommodations, meeting venues, meals, receptions and other logistics.  Facilitation of multi-stakeholder workshops, learning exchanges, retreats and related activities.

Management Skills

• Excellent analytical and writing skills, teamwork and people management skills, communication and interpersonal skills and good negotiation and problem-solving skills.  Experience with supervising program staff (potential for future program growth). Ability to set objectives, manage multiple priorities and independently complete tasks within assigned time frames.  Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.  Ability to coordinate project information from a number of sources to create reports and maintain good program records and files.  Strong administrative skills, attention to details and numerical ability. 

Language

• Written and oral fluency in English is required and fluency in at least one of the Micronesia vernacular languages preferred. Fluency in one or more the official languages of the United Nations is also desirable. Ability to communicate professionally with a wide variety of people of different cultures to develop, negotiate and/or implement functional programs.

IT Skills

• Proficiency in standard computer software (word-processing, excel, presentations, databases and internet) and functional familiarity with posting to social media platforms.

Travel

• Domestic and International travel is required to perform certain tasks.  All travel costs will be paid by MCT.
• The CBPM will spend significant time on travel for the project (approximately 6-8 regional site visits).  The CBPM will follow MCT policies and procedure for travel.  Additionally, travel expenses and reports should be shared with NOAA regarding PIMPAC activities.  

Salary and Benefits and Duty Station:
MCT offers attractive and regionally competitive salaries and benefits depending upon qualifications. MCT does not provide relocation, housing or repatriation expenses. MCT covers the employer portion of the FSM National health insurance basic plan and offers a retirement plan and life insurance. The duty station for this position is Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia and MCT offers a modest relocation package for bona-fide residents of other Micronesian jurisdictions to assist with any required change of residence.

How to Apply:
Submit letter of interest, resume and three letters of reference to: 
​
Lisa Andon, Deputy Executive Director
deputy@ourmicronesia.org
P.O. Box 2177, Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941
Tel. 691-320-5670/Fax 691-320-8903


electronic submissions preferred