7 Aprile 2005

EGYPTIAN - ITALIAN ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION PROGRAM (EIECP) II
SIWA ENVIRONMENTAL AMELIORATION PROJECT – SIWA PROTECTED AREA

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: INTERNATIONAL CO- MANAGER
LOCATION: SIWA PROTECTED AREA, MATROUH GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

I. BACKGROUND
The collaboration between the Government of Egypt and IUCN – The World Conservation Union started in 1973 with Egypt's admission as Member State.
Under the Program titled "Institutional Support of Italian Aid Assistance to the EEAA-TCOE/Egyptian-Italian Environmental Cooperation Program, Phase I", financed by DGCD and executed by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), the IUCN was entrusted to provide the services of technical assistance and policy guidance for the Siwa Environmental Amelioration and Wadi El Rayan Protected Area Projects.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 5th November 2003 between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the implementation of the "Phase II of the Egyptian-Italian Environmental Cooperation Program" (also referred as: EIECP II) stipulating that IUCN will be sub-contracted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a technical partner for Phase II of the Program.

Within this framework, IUCN will provide its technical support services, including transfer of technology and scientific dissemination for the following Program's components of the Egyptian-Italian Environmental Cooperation Program (EIECP), Phase II:

1. Wadi Rayan Protected Area (WRPA)
2. Capacity Building and Institutional Support to Nature Conservation Sector (CBNCS)
3. Gabal Elba Protected Area (GEPA);
4. Siwa Environmental Amelioration Project (SEAP) – Siwa Protected Area sub- component.

The overall objective of the Siwa Protected Area sub- component is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources in the Siwa region.

II. ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CO- MANAGER
The International Co-manager of the Siwa Protected Area will work very closely with the national co-manager appointed by the Nature Conservation Service, as well as other experts involved in the management of this project. She/he will be responsible for managing project activities and funds, and providing the required technical advice, training and transferring of technology to Egyptian staff. In addition, she/he will develop the training and technology transfer activities of the project and serve as the principle key contact for the technical assistance provided by IUCN.

III. EXPECTED TASKS
The International Co-manager of the Siwa Protected Area is expected to undertake, but not limit the work, to the following tasks:

1. Strengthen the mandate and institutional capacity of Matrouh local EEAA office;
2. Develop a Management Plan for Siwa Protected Area that promotes collaborative management;
3. Monitor and evaluate the use and management of biodiversity resources;
4. Produce information, education and communication activities and materials;
5. Contribute to development of Siwa region as an eco-tourism site;
6. Develop and implement a biodiversity strategy and action plan for Siwa Oasis on a pilot-scale;
7. Promote synergies with other projects in an effort to develop complementarities;
8. Provide support to the Project Executive Committee (PEC), Project Management Unit (PMU) as well as liaise closely with the Nature Conservation Sector (NCS)/ EEAA, Italian Cooperation and UNDP.

SELECTION CRITERIA
This position requires a strong background in management of biodiversity and natural resources, with at least 5 years of working experience. The post involves interaction with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including government, NGOs, local community, as well as national and international experts, and hence requires strong coordination, communication and networking skills. Candidates should also have skills in collaborative management, conflict resolution and negotiation skills, as well as skills in biodiversity monitoring and evaluation. Fluent spoken and written English is essential, and Arabic is a strong asset. The successful candidate will be expected to be fully computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office and major software packages.

This position requires good organisational capacity, networking and information-sharing abilities.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Applicants are asked to submit their CV and a supporting letter of motivation to the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

Applications should be submitted before 18 April 2005 to uicnmed@iucn.org
or by fax to ++ 34 952 028 145.

Applicants selected for interview will be contacted directly by IUCN.