Project Lead

Overview:

The Project Lead reports to the Senior Operations Manager and leads the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Kennemer Ecoworks' large-scale forest conservation and restoration in selected municipalities in South Cotabato, covering three (3) ancestral domains. This role ensures that the conservation goals are integrated with sustainable livelihood development, cultural heritage preservation, and long-term land tenure and land use within the forest areas of the 3 ancestral domains.  The successful candidate will coordinate across multiple stakeholders, including indigenous peoples organizations/communities, government agencies, local government units, private sector partners, and civil society organizations.  The Lead will supervise workstream heads in forest protection, sustainable livelihood, community/stakeholder engagement, and coordinate with the Kennemer Group's shared services heads (Finance, Admin, Procurement, Human Resources, Data Management) for the timely provision of project support.  The Lead will be responsible for the overall performance of the project team in meeting annual targets and performance indicators.

Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Implementation:

1. Designs and manages forest restoration, agroforestry, and conservation framework and activities integrating biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and livelihood outcomes aligned with best practices and responsive to local realities;
2. Develops annual plans, workstreams, and budget based on the project's key performance indicators and allocates the deliverables to various teams and units within the Kennemer Ecoworks organization;
3. Overall responsible for meeting targets set in conservation, restoration, and livelihood;
4. Develops and reviews group and individual key performance indicators (KPIs), guiding catch-up plans on workstream implementation delays and key issues impacting project performance;
5. Institutes participatory planning and budgeting with  partner IP organizations,  and leads in accomplishing shared targets in conservation, restoration, and livelihood;
6. Coordinates with the Kennemer Group's Shared Services Heads for the timely provision of support.

Stakeholder Engagement and Exercise of Priority Rights (EPR) Sustainability:

1. Leads engagement with  indigenous peoples' partner organizations through regular updating and high-level coordination on conservation plans and activities;
2. Directs engagements with municipal local government units and national line agencies (DENR, Department of Agriculture, etc.) on forest conservation plans and works actively with the Kennemer Ecoworks Stakeholder Engagement Group.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation:

1. Provides direction to the team who will be responsible for the accurate reporting of conservation outcomes, and socio-economic co-benefits;
2. Provides timely updates to senior management and recommends improvements in project implementation.

Qualifications:

• College degree in natural resources management, business management, environmental science, political science, or any related field.
• Preferably with a master's degree or units in environmental science,  business-related courses, or any related course.
• Outstanding ability in team management and motivating staff in the performance of duties.
• Program management experience, including stakeholder engagement, budget management, HR, and quality management for implementation.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in community-based forest conservation, restoration, and natural resource management.
• Minimum  5 years of experience coordinating with regional or provincial-level stakeholders (private sector, civil society, and government) in managing forest conservation and livelihood projects.
• Strategic and intuitive in relationship-building with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.