Partnerships for Forests Regional Manager – DRC and ROC

This Opportunity : The Partnerships for Forests 2 (IFSLU) programme, Component 3, aims to support development of the capacity and market systems required to enable rural communities and national economies to benefit from a sustainable forest and land-use economy in Central Africa. The programme’s main intervention areas are: To work closely with local organizations and communities to enable them to benefit from investment in sustainable land-use sectors To support businesses and entrepreneurs to trial new approaches and build capacity in sustainable land use practices To strengthen capacity for entrepreneurs', financial institutions, companies, business associations and other actors to support people to benefit from sustainable land-use activities, including community-based forest management The programme is funded by the FCDO and began on the 17/02/2025 and it is expected to run until 28/02/2030. The Regional Manager – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Republic of Congo (ROC) will be a key member of the programme team, managing the implementation of the portfolio, strategy, team, workplan and budget, and is responsible for ensuring that programme objectives, outcomes and deliverables are met. Together with the Team Leader, the Regional Manager – DRC ROC will act as the programme’s lead representative in the nominated countries and will engage closely with partners, FCDO, country governments in priority countries, private sector and public sector organizations, and NGOs. Location : The position is based in Palladium’s Kinshasa's office. Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the DRC, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Reporting Lines : The role will formally report to the Project Director who is based in the UK. The position will work in close collaboration with the Team Leader. The Regional Manager – DRC ROC will also maintain frequent reporting to the Team Leader, who is ultimately superior within the programme’s hierarchy. The Regional Manager – DRC and ROC will closely with the Regional Manager – Cameroon Gabon . The role is offered full-time. The Regional Manager – DRC ROC is responsible for the development management of the regional team based out of the Kinsaha office, comprising of various workstreams. They will need to work closely with the wider regional team and the central team to deliver the programme. Additionally, they will need to work closely with the wider global Partnerships for Forests team in regions around the world. Primary Roles and Responsibilities : The Regional Manager – DRC ROC will: Technical Strateg y Oversee delivery of grants and technical assistance to project partners, including leading on diagnostics and implementation of recommendations Contribute to adapting and managing the implementation of the programme’s strategy, workplan and budget to achieve the targets, in collaboration with other programme staff. Lead the regional design and development of other key initiatives, including Business Social Enterprise Development, Market Systems Development, Enabling Conditions, GESI and smallholder empowerment Collaborate with the wider Partnerships for Forests global team to bring synergies and learnings together under the “one platform” approach to IFSLU. Provide technical guidance and quality assurance for selected project activities, outputs and deliverables. Provide monthly and regular pipeline and strategy updates to the FCDO-SRO and other IFSLU Components. Support adaptive management by identifying contextual changes, risks, and opportunities, and proposing practical adjustments to programme delivery. Oversee the preparation and QA of project concepts/proposals for approval by Project Approval Committees and the Client, with support from the TAF Manager and the Technical Lead. Where the Team Leader is unavailable to participate in regular Project Approval Committees, the Regional Manager – DRC ROC will participate as a voting member. People Management Manage a regional team comprised of various workstreams, supporting to ensure effective collaboration and delivery of timely work and high-quality outputs. Support the recruitment and onboarding of new programme team members. Provide regular feedback to the Team Leader, Project Director and other PMU-based teams. Ensure team motivation and wellbeing is prioritised, adhering to good staff management practices including staff planning, recruitment, on-boarding, appraisal, and development. Stakeholder Management Contribute to the development and communication of a clear strategic vision for the programme and overseeing its effective implementation. Support the Team Leader in building relationships across a wide range of stakeholders including civil society organisation, public and private sector. Act as a representative in the region, specifically DRC ROC. This includes client relationships in the region and in the UK. Participate in relevant regional events and conferences, raising the profile of the programme in the region. Work with partners and regional / country teams to identify and facilitate key opportunities relevant to the programme, including potential private public partnerships. Frequent regional and domestic travel may be required, often at short notice and to insecure locations. Any other tasks requested by the Team Leader or the central programme team. Partner/ Consortium Management Work closely with the P4F Congo Basin consortium partners to support effective programme delivery. This will involve identifying opportunities to utilize their specific areas of technical expertise to develop new activities and enhance existing activities. While this role is not expected to “own” any consortium partner relationships directly, the Regional Manager – DRC ROC is expected to develop effective working relationships with each partner, cognizant of their particular strengths, and to be an effective correspondent for the programme’s portfolio and overall strategy in DRC ROC. Operations, Governance and Risks Work closely with operations and finance colleagues to ensure compliant and efficient programme operations at country level. Support risk management by identifying, mitigating, and escalating operational, fiduciary, reputational, and security risks. Contribute to governance processes, internal reporting, audits, and compliance requirements as required.