Project Director - Sustainable Land Management - [Archived Advertisement]

• Global Project Lead
• Vital SLM Initiative - Biochar
• Passion to make a difference

A unique opportunity to lead a Global Project and lend your expertise and passion in Sustainable Land Management.

Job Summary

This innovative not-for-profit organisation has a proven record in supporting regional sustainability throughout Australia and beyond. They are excited to be working on their largest initiative to date and seeking to appoint a passionate, capable and suitably qualified Project Director to lead this important global project.

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate and promote the adoption of sustainable land management practices involving the use of innovative organic amendments, based on biochar. Funded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the project’s duration will be 2.5 - 3 years commencing early 2015.

Reporting to the Executive Director with accountability to a Technical Steering Committee, you will lead the project working with six existing biochar demonstration projects in the developing world locations of: Peru, Myanmar, Aceh, China (Henan, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangsu), Kenya, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Your responsibilities will include evaluation of the role and potential of biochar in SLM; building awareness, knowledge and improved understanding and establishing knowledge management dissemination systems – particularly for small landholders and farming groups; establishing local and international networks of demonstration sites and farming groups and providing training in the use of bochar. Further aiding your success will be your strengths in coordinating and delivering in a complex project arena and establishing strong relationships and working effectively with a broad range of stakeholders including the six in-country partner organisations, the UNEP and GEF, agricultural landholders and farming groups.

Job Requirements

We are seeking highly motivated, self-directed candidates, with the passion to embrace and commit to the term of the project and who meet the following essential requirements:

• Extensive knowledge, expertise and understanding of biochar science and sustainable land management
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills demonstrated within similar international project complexity, covering key elements of budget, stakeholders, outcomes & deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to build knowledge, awareness and commitment in an educative context
• A high level of intrinsic motivation, initiative and self-direction – able to work virtually/remotely
• Superior skills in data manipulation, statistical analysis, evaluation and reporting
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including cross cultural effectiveness in the development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to present research findings to diverse audiences and develop extension materials and guidelines
• Postgraduate qualifications (PhD level or equivalent), research record, extension and education in a field of environmental science, agriculture, earth science or related discipline
• Technical proficiency in English is essential with skills in one or more of the national languages of the six project partner countries being desirable
• Considerable international travel will be required

A mutually beneficial arrangement including remuneration, conditions and support will be negotiated and available for the successful candidate.

For a confidential discussion and to obtain the Candidate Information Book with full application requirements, please contact the Consultant assisting the organisation, Ms Bronwyn Pearson on 0412 400 206.

Closing date for applications: Monday, 23^rd February 2015.

Starfish Initiatives is a registered charity and has been operating since 2001. Starfish is governed by a professional Board of Directors and is accountable to its voting members and the Australia Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.

Starfish’s purpose and passion is creating and supporting genuine rural and regional sustainability. In fact, we are one of only a few organisations in Australia, or the world, who specialise in this area.

Starfish have a demonstrated track record in providing a comprehensive suite of professional services and strategic initiatives which support and create the systems, knowledge, know-how, cultures and way of life which are needed for rural and regional sustainability.