POSITION TITLE: Program Manager for Environmental NGO Capacity Building

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Program Manager for Environmental NGO Capacity Building

REPORTING TO: Guangzhou Office Director

OFFICE LOCATION: Guangzhou, China

EMPLOYER: Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC)

POSITION SUMMARY:

ISC is seeking an experienced Program Manager to oversee the implementation and expansion of the environmental NGO capacity building program. The program seeks to help Chinese NGOs be more effective at implementing community-based energy efficiency, low carbon, and environmental projects. Our approach will bring tested capacity-building and technical assistance methods to these NGOs, and catalyze the creativity of local individuals to come up with better solutions to resolve their community environmental issues.

S/he will work mainly on implementing the environmental NGO capacity building program by working with local partners. S/he will also be responsible for future program development in the environmental NGO capacity building field. S/he will also have to provide support for the implementation of other programs in Guangdong, such as the US-China Partnership for Climate Action and the Public Building Energy Efficiency project.

S/he will also assist Guangzhou Office Director in overseeing day-to-day office administrative and communication tasks in the Guangzhou office.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In ISC’s first years in China, it worked with several pilot communities in Guangdong Province on energy efficiency and emissions reduction projects in factories, schools, municipal buildings, hospitals, and residential buildings. The program brought citizens of all backgrounds together to identify, prioritize, and implement projects. ISC is now scaling up this successful pilot by building the capacity of local institutions and NGOs across Guangdong and South China to accelerate the implementation of environmental, community-based projects at the local level.

Project Objectives

· Build the capacity of Chinese environmental groups to effectively implement community energy efficiency and environmental projects;

· Build the network of Chinese environmental NGOs, and enhance connections and peer-learning among non-governmental actors;

· Demonstrate that a collective effort by NGOs, government agencies, and communities can have a more significant impact on the sustainability challenges facing China than any of these sectors acting alone.

Project Activities

· Conduct research on environmental NGOs and institutions in the Pearl River Delta;

· Deliver networking events;

· Implement a Social Entrepreneurship Fund to strengthen local environmental NGOs and foster innovation;

· Provide capacity-building trainings for environmental NGOs and institutions.

EMPLOYER DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1991, the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is as a not-for-profit organization that provides technical expertise and leadership training to solve important global issues such as sustainable development, energy efficiency, and environmental protection resulting in lasting change.

Headquartered in the USA, and with offices in Washington, DC; China and other countries, ISC has an international staff of approximately 75 people. ISC values include a commitment to improving the quality of life and the earth’s ecosystem; maximizing effectiveness through creativity and high quality work; and compassion, honesty and respect toward one another and ISC’s partners.

In China, ISC currently has offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. More information about ISC’s China programs is available at: http://www.iscchina.org/.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program implementation, oversight and development

· Leads the implementation of the environmental NGO capacity building program

· Organizes trainings, roundtables, networking events and other activities to achieve the goal of the environmental NGO capacity building program

· Manages Social Entrepreneurship Fund which will award seed funding to local environmental NGOs

· Works together with ISC management team for future program development in community-based/NGO capacity building field

· Assembles and authors guidelines and toolkits for environmental NGOs to use and learn from in order to become more effective

· Develops work plans, budgets and progress reports as required by ISC, donors and other partners

· Manages the partner relationship with Sun Yat-sen Universities’ Institute for Civil Society (ICS)—a key local partner in the program

· Maintains relationships with current and potential funding sponsors and networks with other environmental NGOs in order to create a network of environmental NGO in which peer-learning and experience-sharing can occur

2. Communication& Monitor and Evaluation

· Represents ISC to NGO partners, government officials, funding sources, other partners, beneficiaries, and at conferences and other outreach opportunities

· Ensures monitoring and evaluation activities and reporting meet ISC’s standards, and are completed on schedule

· Reviews and finalizes program reports

3. Financial management and grant oversight

· Responsible for implementing activities in accordance with project or activity budgets.

· Consults with project accountant and Finance and Administration Manager regarding best practices for financial administration of project work

· Develops and monitors the grant agreements and sub-agreements for project partners

· Works with finance staff and the ISC China Country Director to revise budgets, as needed

4. Other

· Assists in the implementation of other programs activities in the Guangdong, as needed

· Supports the Guangzhou Office Director in various administrative tasks

RELATIONSHIPS

· Reports to Guangzhou Office Director

· For NGO capacity building program related responsibilities, reports to China Country Director

· Coordinates closely with the Urban Program Manager and the EHSA Program Manager,

· Provides support and interacts with the Communications Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, and other key program staff

· Communicates as needed with ISC Headquarters leadership and support staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· An advanced degree in environmental science/engineering, the social sciences, or other related degree

· 5+ years of experience managing environmental, international development and/or civil society projects.

· Previous experience or understanding of the environmental NGO sector in South China

· Proven project management skills with experience managing multiple projects and/or working for an international organization in China.

· Strong interpersonal skills and mentoring skills to work effectively with partners/clients.

· A track record that demonstrates energy and creativity, and the ability to successfully prioritize and manage competing priorities.

· Demonstrated success in project planning, financial management, program monitoring, report writing, and identifying and procuring technical assistance.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills.

· Experience in data processing (Microsoft Word), spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel), E-mail, and Internet browser software.

· Strong English skills (spoken and written) and fluency in Mandarin required.

Visit our web site at www.iscchina.org for more information on ISC.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 25, 2012

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter, resume, and salary history by Email to:

ISC is an equal opportunity employer.

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