Application deadline: Saturday, 30 August 2025
Location: Dakar, Senegal

Full time: 40 hours per week
Contract:  2 years fixed term

Salary: EURO 3,500 – 4,000 per month

Date when the job expected to start: January 2026

We’re BirdLife International, the only global Partnership conserving birds and all life on our planet. We exist to give one voice to nature, and to unite and strengthen conservation across borders.

We are looking for a driven and visionary Technical Lead, Guinean Forests Integrated Program (GFIP) to be responsible for the overall program management, including coordination with partners and participating countries. 

You can find out more about the Guinean Forests Integrated Program (GFIP) here.

In this role you will be contributing to BirdLife's work by overseeing the technical delivery in key areas such as learning, knowledge management, capacity building, governance, and financing solutions.

How you will do this:

• Leading day-to-day programme coordination with Conservation International, ensuring compliance with technical and fiduciary standards.
• Overseeing the implementation of project work plans, budgets, and administrative tasks while managing sub-grantees, staff, partners, and consultants.
• Working closely with the Finance, Administrative, and Grants Manager on strategic financial, operational, and procurement decisions.
• Coordinating with Conservation International and various stakeholders to enhance national capacity development in line with GFIP objectives.
• Developing and coordinating outreach activities, training workshops, and seminars, delivering presentations on key topics.
• Leading and participating in field missions, providing guidance to consultants, government officials, and stakeholders.
• Driving policy development by analysing trends, reviewing issues, and preparing evaluations.
• Preparing detailed progress reports, Implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to track performance.
• Supporting learning and knowledge sharing among Guinean Forests country projects, and other conservation initiatives, while integrating regional and global best practices.
• Leveraging GFIP’s convening power to influence the agenda of African states and the African Union on forest restoration and conservation.
• Monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of knowledge tools, gathering participant feedback for continuous improvement.

Ideally you will have:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Sustainable Development, Natural Resources Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Studies, or a related field, or a BSc with relevant experience. 
• At least eight years managing large, complex, multi-partner projects.
• Proven leadership in supervision, technical assistance, and capacity building on forestry, biodiversity, and climate change.
• Expertise in biodiversity conservation, conservation planning, and landscape/water management, particularly in West Africa.
• Experience with GEF projects, international/regional policy frameworks, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in impact monitoring, applied biodiversity conservation, and report writing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French (Portuguese is an advantage).
• Strong representation and networking skills, including advocacy for climate change and biodiversity conservation.
• Self-motivation with creative problem solving skills.
• Strong cultural sensitivity, teamwork, and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time.

See the full job description here.

Salary & benefits:

Commensurate with experience and qualifications and in accordance with BirdLife International, Africa Division terms and conditions.

BirdLife values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Find out more about our Diversity statement.

We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

We will consider putting into place appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.