Program Manager at Cube Zanzibar | June 2024

Program Manager (Blue Economy and Waste Management)

Organization: Cube Zanzibar

Job ID: 0124

Location: Unguja, Zanzibar

Type of Contract: One-year contract with strong possibility of permanent contract

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Deadline: 11 June 2024

Start Date: ASAP

WHO WE ARE

CUBE Zanzibar is not only an innovation and business enabler that offers incubation services, financing and business acceleration support to startups and small-businesses, but also a designer and implementer of various developmental projects. It is an advanced entrepreneur-boosting platform with a network of over 2000 entrepreneurs across Zanzibar and Tanzania, 500 partner-organizations worldwide, and over 50 successful projects. CUBE Zanzibar is the first non-profit organization in Zanzibar, dedicated to tackling a broad array of local environmental and social challenges through enabling innovations and innovators. Its initiatives span from AgriTech to the Blue Economy, EdTech, and sustainable innovation, embracing practices such as upcycling/ recycling. It focuses on growing private sector, improving accessibility of social services related to health, education, gender, agriculture, food security, and waste management. These efforts are aligned with both Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Tanzania’s development agenda. We have carefully selected our model and service offerings to support the innovation of business ideas and empower aspiring entrepreneurs and new startups to achieve their goals. Cube Zanzibar is dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity among the youth in Tanzania’s coastal communities, recognizing them as crucial elements for the long-term sustainable socio-economic growth of the society.

POSITION BACKGROUND

As part of the Blue economy and waste management initiative; the “Lifting the Lives of Women and Youth in the Coastal Communities in Tanzania” project, implemented under the guidance of the UNDP’s Blue Economy Portfolio, addresses the severe environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by marine litter in Tanzania’s coastal regions—Unguja, Pemba, Bagamoyo, and Tanga. The initiative is part of a broader strategy designed to enhance coastal resilience through innovative solutions for effective marine litter management. The project aims to achieve significant environmental improvements and socio-economic benefits by focusing on three main intervention areas: mapping and enhancing policy frameworks, supporting sustainable practices, and fostering innovation and community engagement. In parallel, the project will empower local communities through trainings and innovation challenge. This challenge will also be supported by a cross-sector collaboration mechanism that brings together private and public sectors in sustainable waste management strategies.

THE ROLE

The expected outcomes of the “Blue Economy and Waste Management” initiative and specifically the “Lifting the Lives of Women and Youth in the Coastal Communities in Tanzania” project that is implemented under the guidance of the UNDP’s Blue Economy Portfolio include:

· A significant reduction in marine litter, particularly plastics,

· Enhanced local capacities for sustainable economic activities, and

· Strengthened environmental policies that foster a circular economy.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Program Manager to lead the initiative. The Program Manager will be responsible for: i) guiding the strategic direction, planning and coordination; ii) ensuring that programmatic activities within the imitative are effectively and efficiently implemented; iii) overseeing the environmental surveys and research utilizing technologies and innovation iv) ensuring that progress and performance of the initiative is regularly monitored and evaluated.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Coordination

· Guide the planning of a comprehensive program strategy in alignment with the objectives of UNDP’s Blue Economy Portfolio and Cube’s Blue Economy and Waste Management Initiative

· Coordinate with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, NGOs, and private sector partners, to ensure synergy and alignment of efforts

Research and Data Analysis

· Supervise the mapping of the waste bank locations in Unguja, Pemba, Bagamoyo, and Tanga

· Oversee the biodiversity assessments and socio-economic surveys in those areas to understand the impact of litter on marine life and local communities

· Analyze previously collected GIS mapping data and update the data to identify any variances in the selected hotspots to ensure its accuracy

Policy Framework Enhancement:

· Manage the assessment of current policy frameworks pertaining to the management of marine litter and the implementation of sustainable waste management practices

· Identify gaps and opportunities for policy enhancement and advocate for policy reforms to support effective waste management strategies

· Advocate for strengthened environmental policies at local, national, and regional levels, leveraging project outcomes to influence policy formulation and implementation

Community Engagement and Fostering Innovation

· Organize and facilitate workshops and training sessions focused on imparting knowledge and skills related to effective waste management, recycling processes, and environmental conservation practices

· Establish and nurture community groups dedicated to conducting regular beach clean-ups and monitoring activities to mitigate marine litter pollution

· Develop and oversee innovation challenges aimed at fostering creative solutions to address marine litter challenges

· Engage local communities in co-designing and implementing innovative waste management solutions, leveraging traditional knowledge and modern technology

Cross-Sector Collaboration:

· Establish and maintain a cross-sector collaboration mechanism involving public and private sector stakeholders in sustainable waste management strategies

· Facilitate partnerships with businesses, academia, and civil society organizations to mobilize resources and expertise for effective waste management interventions

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

· Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track project progress, measure impact, and ensure accountability

· Prepare timely and accurate progress reports for stakeholders and UNDP management, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned

· Represent the project in relevant forums, conferences, and meetings, showcasing achievements and sharing lessons learned

WHO YOU ARE

The Cube team values diversity, creativity, and unity and we believe in dialogue, collaboration and teamwork. We work hard to deliver excellent relevant projects that have positive impacts on the actors and places where we engage.

To complete our team, we are looking for a team player, detail oriented, and motivated problem-solver, with an ability to manage stakeholders and develop partnerships and knowledge of the blue economy. You are highly organized, reliable and a problem solver. You enjoy working in an environment with varied tasks and you are not afraid to take initiative or ask questions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

· Advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in environmental sciences, natural resources management, environmental studies, marine conservation, sustainable development, project management or any other discipline that is relevant to nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources with 3-5 years relevant work experience

· A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in one of the above disciplines in combination with 6 and more years of qualifying experience

Experience

· Good experience in policy analysis and strategy development

· Experience in analyzing and implementing various blue economy business models

· Good understanding of innovative finance mechanisms for circular economy

· Experience in relating and coordinating with the informal or formal waste management sector

· Experience in partnership development with private sectors, non-profit partners, community groups, development partners and/or government agencies

· Experience in other fields related to green growth, including (but not limited to) environment, innovation, energy, infrastructure, or economic development.

· Proven ability to work in a pro-active way, independently and deliver quality results requiring minimal supervision.

· Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under tight deadlines.

· Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.

· Experience working in research environments: collecting, surveying, analyzing, and interpreting data

Language Requirement

· Excellent English and Swahili oral and written communication skills; including public speaking.

Other

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than 11 June 2024, 23:59 Tanzania local time.

Applications should be written in English and consist of:

• Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience
• Curriculum vitae

Interested candidates matching the above criteria should send their documents to info@cubezanzibar.org mentioning the reference number 0124.

Kindly notice that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.