Head – Programme Delivery

Emirates Nature is a UAE environmental non-governmental charity, established in 2001 under the Honorary Founder and President H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the United Arab Emirates. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the Ruler’s representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Board of Directors.

We operate with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah and are governed by a local board of directors. Emirates Nature works in association with WWF, one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. Emirates Nature-WWF has been active in the UAE for two decades and is renowned for its commitment to biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, sustainable development, and community engagement.

Some of our flagship projects include marine conservation initiatives to protect coral reefs and marine species, wildlife conservation programs focusing on endangered species such as Arabian oryx and sea turtles, habitat restoration projects in critical ecosystems, and sustainable development initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change impacts and promoting eco-friendly practices across various sectors.

It is our organizational objective to ensure a high performing workforce within our offices with highly efficient, skilled members all of whom will be unilaterally focused on supporting and delivering conservation activities to our stakeholders within the UAE.

The Head of Programme Delivery at Emirates Nature-WWF plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful design and delivery of high-impact environmental projects and initiatives across the UAE. This position oversees the planning, implementation, financial management, and monitoring of key conservation efforts in alignment with Emirates Nature-WWF’s goals. Reporting directly to the Chief Climate and Conservation Officer (CCCO), the role is responsible for managing cross-functional teams and ensuring effective collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver on strategic conservation priorities.

(1) Programme delivery and performance review – 70%: Ensure effective management of projects and programmes within approved timelines and budgets, ensuring all project/programme milestones, contractual, and donor reporting requirements are met, adhering to ENWWF agreed standards.

• Oversee the development and monitoring of project/programme workplans and budgets to optimize outcomes and meet organizational requirements, managing project/programme risks.
• Ensure effective project/programme monitoring and evaluation, including adherence to internal performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of project/programme delivery.
• Enhance existing project/programme reporting frameworks (internal/external); report to the CCCO on the status of project/management, including implementation, progress, financial, and risk management.
• Assist project teams to develop and monitor stakeholder engagement plans specific to the project/programme; effectively communicate progress and achievements to both internal and external audiences; support CCCO and project teams in stakeholder management.
• Ensure projects/programmes document lessons learned and implement adaptive management strategies based on project needs, ensuring projects/programmes include provisions for exit or hand-over strategies.

(2) Team capacity building & effective coordination – 10%: Effectively lead programme/project teams based on a clear governance and responsibility matrix; foster a collaborative approach to enhance strategic outcomes and address project operational challenges.

• Lead on the review and enhancement of ENWWF project management framework, continuously improve project/programme delivery governance, and ensure effective resource allocation towards successful delivery of projects/programmes.
• Develop the capacity of project management team members to follow best practices in project management.
• Establish roles and responsibilities, including lines of communication, to enable effective collaboration between multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage interdependencies and ensure effective coordination across project teams to ensure timely completion of project/programme deliverables based on agreed project goals and KPIs.

(3) Programme Design, support in business development and donor reporting – 20%: Lead the programme design and work collaboratively with project teams and other units to ensure successful rollout of programme delivery, optimizing business development and donor relations.

• Lead the development of a programme design framework aligning with ENWWF strategic priorities, incorporating mid-term plans, theory of change, and effective resource planning.
• Assist the CCO in mapping out scenarios to rollout programmes based on secured funding, monitor programme income, and identify scalability pathways for programme activities.
• Ensure timely and effective donor reporting, working closely with project teams and the CCO to foster donor relationships.
• As a senior member of the Conservation Unit, advise on key opportunities and organizational strategies in response to the evolving political and economic landscape.

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field; a degree in Sustainability is a plus.
• Relevant certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP, PMI, PRINCE2) are required.
• Additional certifications in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) or Data Analytics related to program delivery can be an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 16 years of experience in programme/project management roles, with at least 8 years in a leadership position, ideally managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated track record of managing complex programmes, budgets, donor reporting, and financial oversight of large-scale projects.
• Proven experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and delivering complex, high-impact programs in the environmental sector.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies.

Project Management & Implementation

• Expertise in planning, implementing, and monitoring complex conservation programs.
• Strong knowledge of project governance, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics.
• Ability to oversee interdependencies across project teams for cohesive program delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Skilled at managing relationships with internal teams, government bodies, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency in balancing diverse stakeholder interests while aligning with strategic goals.

Strategic & Analytical Thinking

• Ability to identify and address strategic issues, set priorities, and proactively mitigate risks.
• Strong analytical skills to monitor KPIs and performance indicators for continuous program improvement.

Leadership & Team Management

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and support cross-functional teams, including remote and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in performance management, budget oversight, and optimizing team resources.

Financial Management

• Experience managing program budgets, donor reporting, and financial oversight of large-scale projects.

Technical Knowledge

• Familiarity with tools and methodologies for program delivery, such as PMP or PRINCE2 certifications.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation practices, data analytics, and emerging environmental technologies.

Emirates Nature-WWF Focus: Acts as a member of Emirates Nature-WWF, placing higher priority on Emirates Nature-WWF goals than own goals and anticipating the effects of own area’s actions on others to ensure holistic Emirates Nature-WWF outcomes.

External Orientation: Looks outwards ensuring WWF stays relevant, continues to anticipate and adapt to external environmental and global trends.

Delivering Quality Outcomes: Establishes stretch goals, plans, using best judgment and takes responsibility for planning to and delivering on outcomes.

Building Working Relationships: Builds collaborative relationships through the understanding and development of other’s and own ideas.

Communicating Effectively: Uses appropriate means of communication to convey messages, seeks input from others and ensures understanding.

Leading Teams: Develops direction and shared purpose, builds a team through coaching to ensure the accomplishment of goals and high level team performance.

Leading Change: Encourages and seeks out innovative solutions and brings people on a journey constructively and empathetically.

Managing Resources: Makes the right judgments based on financial and resource availability.

Establishing Strategic Direction: Generates options to achieve long-range goals, selects the best strategies for success and delivers on strategic goals.

Building Organizational Capability: Diagnoses individual and team capability and development needs and champions talent management.

Internal: All Units

External: Local government agencies, regulators, private and public sector partners, international conservation bodies, media, suppliers and contractors

Emirates Nature-WWF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and offer a flexible and diverse place of employment.

Emirates Nature-WWF staff participate wholeheartedly in general activities and events that require the full support and participation of all staff members, whether the focus of any particular event or activity has any bearing on the job description and assigned project objectives and activities.

Further, this position requires international travel and participation in global forums and conferences, advocating for Emirates Nature-WWF’s mission at the highest levels. Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as the role will involve leading multiple projects across various time zones.

Please send your application consisting of a cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate to work with EN-WWF and your CV with the subject ‘Application for Head – Programme Delivery’ to the attention of Ms Magdalena Tayoun at [email protected] before 30th November 2024.

Emirates Nature reserves the right to appoint a candidate prior to this date.