617 Environment jobs

WasteAid

WasteAid is an international non-governmental organisation that works in low and middle-income countries to implement environmental and economic empowerment programmes, focusing on support to nascent green businesses and grassroots entrepreneurs.

The work improves the livelihoods of some of the poorest and most marginalised, promotes circular economy innovation and contributes to a cleaner and healthier future for all. Our programmes focus predominantly on the reduction of plastic, organic, textile and e-waste pollution in areas of the world that have no formal waste management systems.

The organisation promotes and shares locally appropriate, evidence-based inclusive practices, supporting and empowering others to take positive action. We partner with public, private and community-based organisations in countries where the lack of waste management systems is harming the environment, economy and society. We achieve our goals through our three flagship programmes:

• Our Wastepreneur programme for those individuals and micro businesses trying to make a living within the circular economy and make a difference in their communities.
• The WasteAid Circular Economy Network which brings together national stakeholders, local authorities and the private sector to tackle local waste challenges through networking, training, infrastructure support and innovation challenges.
• First Step Resource Management Programmes focus on a whole system approach to divert waste from landfill supporting community behaviour change, basic infrastructure, collector group training and end market development.

WasteAid is a dynamic organisation with an international team who work in a supportive and collegial environment.

We currently implement programmes in The Gambia, India, South Africa, South Sudan and Uganda.

Purpose of Role

The Director of Programmes is to provide strategic management of WasteAid’s programme portfolio. Working closely with the CEO and Fundraising Manager, the incumbent will lead the design of future programmes through identification of needs and the development of appropriate responses in liaison with interested funding bodies and other key stakeholders. Whilst developing WasteAid’s programme approach, they will ensure high quality delivery and impact in each of WasteAid’s countries. They will be a visible presence in WasteAid’s countries of operation and will act as a spokesperson for WasteAid on the issues we seek to address.

The Director of Programmes will represent WasteAid externally at relevant sector and donor events in UK and overseas and is a key member of the Senior Management Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Strategy (20%)

• Working closely with the CEO and the senior programmes team to develop WasteAid’s programme strategy to ensure that the organisation is responding to the most relevant needs within its remit.
• Ensure that WasteAid’s programme strategy aligns well with priorities of communities, policy makers and funders in each of WasteAid’s countries of implementation.
• Develop strong partnerships with key actors to focus on future collaboration and to complement WasteAid’s work.
• Contribute to internal strategy development work, taking the lead on all programmatic elements.
• Liaise with relevant experts to ensure that the technical elements of each programme reflect best practice and are relevant and appropriate to achieve the desired results.
• Ensure programme and technical best practice is implemented as part of any project.
• Ensure that lessons learned around programme successes or otherwise are documented and shared.

Programme Development (40%)

• Responsible for programme development within WasteAid; developing pathways to scale, forging partnerships with key stakeholders in country.
• Work closely with CEO, Head of Strategy and Impact and Fundraising Manager to design responses (projects), undertaking detailed needs assessments both remotely and in person.
• Ensure that the programmes teams in WasteAid’s countries of operation are able to fully identify needs and develop appropriate interventions to address them and that each country team knows the funding landscape in their respective locations.
• Play a full part in both writing and reviewing project proposals, depending on the resource needs of the organisation.
• Consistently horizon scan through close liaison with country programmes staff and key stakeholders in all WasteAid’s countries of operation.

Programme Delivery (20%)

• Lead the complete programme portfolio for WasteAid focusing on quality and timely delivery and detailed impact measurement of each project.
• Liaise closely with WasteAid’s donors, supporting the project teams to engage and having regular check-ins directly.
• Ensure in-person support to project staff through regular visits in-country and coordinating other relevant SMT members to visit as required.
• Support the whole programmes team to deliver to the best of their ability through an open and inclusive management style –one that supports and mentors.
• Oversee impact measurement and seek to build on WasteAid’s evidence base ensuring that we have robust data in order to communicate successes.

Operations and Budget Management (10%)

• Recruit, manage and develop the entire programmes team within WasteAid in line with HR policies and in consultation with the CEO, as required.
• Manage the entire programmes budget in collaboration with the Director of Finance to monitor and track spend and to ensure that WasteAid’s policies relating to finance management are followed.
• Work to develop budget and cashflow forecasts and be an early warning system for any financial pinch points relating to programmes activity.
• Maximise cost recovery across all projects.

External Relations (10%)

• Build relations with all key stakeholders in each country including, but not limited to UK representation offices, relevant Ministries, elected local politicians and local authorities, academic institutions and community groups.
• Contribute to WasteAid’s advocacy pillar through a visible presence in appropriate fora in collaboration with SMT colleagues.
• Take the lead on representing WasteAid at appropriate events and conferences where there is an opportunity to showcase WasteAid’s programmes.
• Develop an online presence as a thought leader through blogs, articles and through social media.

Person Specification

• Significant experience of a similar role in a development setting, ideally with experience of circular economy and/or livelihoods programming or programming in a linked sector.
• Significant experience at a senior level managing programmes in Sub Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrable ability to operate in a small (but growing) organisation understanding what this means in terms of programming and process.
• Entrepreneurial drive and the ability to think creatively to deliver and scale WasteAid’s programmes whilst strictly adhering to development principles.
• Extensive and demonstrable experience of representing an organisation with donor organisations, government officials, senior business leaders, senior diplomat level, as well as liaising with academic institutions, local authorities, community leaders.
• Minimum of 5 years experience of operations management at a senior level –HR, procurement, budget and finance management.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in incorporating impact measurement approaches into programmes as part of international programmes.
• Understanding of the challenges and possibilities of a Circular Economy approach and how it relates to Africa and Asia.
• Extensive experience of remote team management gained at a senior level.
• Proven experience of capacity building and training partner organisations and experience in community based and participatory programme planning approaches.
• Proven ability to work with UKAID, EU and other key institutional donors.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• A clear communicator with good emotional intelligence, sound judgement and a collaborative, hands-on approach.

Desirable

• Experience of delivering programmes within the circular economy or closely linked sectors.
• Specific knowledge of the countries in which WasteAid works.
• Held a senior leadership position within a sub £10 million non-profit organisation.
• Experience of working with corporate donors designing and delivering ESG/CSR programmes and building productive relationships.