POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Salalah, in Dhofar Governorate, Oman, Chief of Party (ARISE Program Lead) is the most senior manager of the ARISE Program Team, with strong managerial experience and technical expertise in biodiversity, land restoration/conservation, and land management. S/he is responsible for the overall coordination and management of all programmatic and financial aspects of the ARISE Program in accordance with approved documents and GGGI guidelines. S/he designs detailed work plans, ensures rigorous technical and financial oversight of program activities, manages the operations unit, and drives multi-stakeholder communication to position GGGI as a trusted partner in biodiversity and land management. As Chief of Party, The Program Director/Chief of Party has dual reporting to the Regional Director of the GGGI-MENA and the Country Representative.

PURPOSE

• Serve as the program lead responsible for the comprehensive execution and daily management of the ARISE Program team in Salalah, Oman
• Provide robust technical expertise and innovative direction in biodiversity conservation, land restoration/conservation, and sustainable land management
• Lead the development of detailed annual work plans, technical reports, and comprehensive budget forecasts, ensuring seamless integration of project activities with local environmental targets
• Supervise the execution of programmatic activities, providing rigorous administrative, financial, and technical oversight to meet targeted project milestones

ENGAGEMENT

• Keep abreast on socio-economic and political changes in the environment and undertake timely strategic review of GGGI's country program ensuring continued relevance
• Develop networks and partnerships with national and regional institutions
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the ARISE Program Workplan, detailed budget, terms of references, job descriptions, Risk Management Framework, etc.
• Lead, direct and mentor the country teams in line with the organizational strategy
• Maintain close communication with the RO-MENA and Omani Authorities on relevant factors keeping abreast with developments and changes
• Ensure the ARISE Program implements GGGI policies, procedures, operational guidelines and standards
• Ensure coordination with other divisions of GGGI for prompt support services
• Manage technical staff members supporting the country program from the RO-MENA

DELIVERY

I. Program and Financial Management:

• Coordinate the design and review of project documents as requested by GGGI, the ARISE Program Steering Committee (PSC) and the Program Management Committee (PMC);manage program budgets, financial resources, and expenditures by tracking resources, reviewing actual performance against budgets, explaining variances, and developing cost modification requests; document and disseminate best practices within Oman and abroad to promote quality and learning; support project partners with technical implementation; and ensure staff compliance with accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency standards, GGGI operational procedures, and applicable Omani Government regulations

II. Representation and Advocacy:

• Act as the primary point of contact for RO-MENA , the Omani Government, implementing partners, and key public-private stakeholders
• Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies and institutions for the delivery of ARISE Program results
• Oversee program communication strategies in collaboration with GGGI Communication Experts, ensuring full compliance with donor's branding and marketing requirements as well as GGGI marketing and communication procedures

III . Manage the ARISE Program Implementation Unit (PIU) Team

• Lead, manage and supervise the PIU team to meet ARISE Program objectives
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with GGGI' performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork
• Participate into the recruitment for the ARISE Program, in collaboration with Human Resources team, to ensure optimum service delivery through recruitment of competent and qualified staff
• Foster organizational values of teamwork, empowerment, risk-taking, customer responsiveness, and effective communication

Desired Candidate Profile

• Master s degree or equivalent in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, land/ecosystem restoration and conservation, natural resources management, bioeconomy, economics, environmental science, or a related field
• A minimum of 9-11 years professional experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary environmental, biodiversity, or land restoration programs in international settings or developing country contexts. , of which 7-8 should be with some experience in a senior management position. Work experience, particularly in community development, is desirable
• Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder programs or initiatives involving government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, research institutions, and local communities.
• Demonstrated experience working with national and sub-national government institutions, including policy dialogue, institutional strengthening, coordination, and implementation of development programs
• Experience engaging private sector actors, investors, and value chain stakeholders to promote sustainable and scalable development outcomes
• Experience mobilizing public and private investment, developing partnerships, and identifying opportunities for program sustainability and scale-up
• Experience applying participatory approaches, community-based development methodologies, stakeholder engagement processes, and capacity-building principles
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in organizational policies, procedures and regulations, front-line team management, central and local governments, and community development preferred
• Proven experience building and maintaining institutional linkages required
• Experience with participatory methods and partnerships required
• Public relations skills required
• Understanding of and experience with community-level development and demand-driven organizations, and accompaniment and capacity-building principles in local partnerships highly desired
• Fluency in Arabic is an asset for this role and is highly desirable
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required

FUNCTIONAL

• Experience as Chief of Party is highly desirable
• Outstanding skills in managing large program budgets and operations are a must.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement, client relationship, communication and consensus building skills
• Excellent communication skills, ability to communicate complex economic and development issues in a clear and simple way to a diverse audience
• Proven project delivery experience, i.e. managing the delivery of results on time and on budget
• International experience across multiple country contexts with specific experience working with developing countries implementing public policy, bankable projects and green growth
• Experience engaging with government officials and development partners in countries to influence the framework and development of national roadmap developments, financing vehicles, policy development and decision making
• A track record of delivery of complex programs, having delivered projects involving capability building and/or significant knowledge dissemination activities
• Solutions-oriented mindset, with a proactive and adaptive approach to problem-solving.
• Commitment to collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Experience in MENA/Sultanate of Oman is a plus

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision, and values
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership
• Excel at problem solving, ask questions and seek support when needed, share easily information and knowledge with others both internally and externally
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport, and resolve conflict easily
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity