POSITION SUMMARY
Since World Monuments Fund (WMF) was founded over half a century ago, it has been a groundbreaking organization conserving in an innovative way the world's irreplaceable treasures — architectural and cultural sites that span the history of human civilization.
World Monuments Fund (WMF) is seeking an established preservation professional for a two-year consultancy with possibility of extension as Program Manager, sub-Saharan Africa-Consultant to develop and implement a rich portfolio of community-led preservation projects across Africa. Reporting to the Principal Project Director (PPD), the Program Manager will help to manage a group of existing projects and develop a series of new efforts with particular relevance to the organization’s global priorities: underrepresented heritage, climate change, and imbalanced tourism. The successful candidate will have a broad base of professional cultural heritage experience across sub-Saharan Africa and strong familiarity with a wide array of African heritage. Critical is proven experience working closely with diverse communities to promote, manage, and safeguard their heritage places.
The consultant will be based full-time in sub-Saharan Africa and will be expected to travel within and outside the region as required. S/he will have demonstrated experience in conservation and management of immovable heritage and must be fluent in English, which is WMF’s primary working language. Competency in an additional regional language is expected.
REPORTS TO
Principal Project Director
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with the PPD to elaborate and implement the WMF strategy for sub-Saharan Africa.
- Identify, cultivate and engage with an extensive network of partners and professional collaborators working in the cultural heritage field in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Liaise with government partners, stakeholders, and local community members to develop consensus about project objectives and activities, and engage with them during project implementation.
- Participate in donor cultivation, identifying and engaging potential donors.
- Develop project budgets and report on expenditure.
- Manage consultants, define work activities, prepare contracts and oversee activities.
- Produce regular reporting on projects for internal distribution, partners, and donors; make presentations about project activities.
- Manage project implementation, defining metrics for monitoring and evaluation, preparing time schedules, defining activities and goals, and ensuring goals are met.
- Play an active role in the World Monuments Watch by encouraging nominations for each cycle and advocating for strong entries from sub-Saharan Africa.
- Represent WMF at conferences, meetings, and other events as appropriate and especially as relates to discussions focused on the sub-Saharan Africa context.
- Work effectively and collaboratively across the organization to support the objectives of the sub-Saharan portfolio, including preparation of funding proposals and development of public messaging.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Advanced degree in Historic Preservation / Cultural Resource Management / Architecture / Engineering / Archaeology or related field.
- 7-10 years of experience in cultural heritage project management.
- Experience developing historic structure reports, conservation management plans, protected status nomination files, or other documents that compile historical research, documentation, condition assessments and conservation and management recommendations.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of international heritage theory and practice, including international charters and international standards of practice. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate her/his knowledge and understanding at an interview.
- Demonstrated track record in project management of physical conservation activities at monuments or heritage sites in Africa, include oversight of consultants and contractors, sound financial planning and tracking, and development of realistic budgets.
- Demonstrated experience in development of participatory planning approaches and community engagement at heritage sites.
- International experience or education is an asset, including participation in training courses.
- Experience and knowledge of heritage and/or conservation education and training at university level in Africa, and access to a network of educators in this field is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop plans for conservation of historic sites or monuments, and schedule conservation processes.
- Demonstrated experience giving professional lectures and running formal meetings.
- Computer fluency in Microsoft environment (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and familiarity with one or more technical data management platforms (e.g. GIS, CAD, Arches).
SKILLS
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to write in English to a high standard and prepare reports on project activities and other communication material.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with international colleagues and develop effective working relationships with colleagues within the organization and beyond.
- Highly organized and detail oriented with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver projects according to deadlines and within approved budgets.
- Financial literacy and proven experience managing complicated construction budgets.
- Ability to work gracefully under pressure.
- Comfort working in an international environment and with a broad and diverse range of people.
TERMS of CONSULTANCY
- Salary commensurate with experience and based upon location.
- This is a fixed term two-year consultancy position with the possibility for extension.
Those who wish to apply as consultants please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@wmf.org for consideration. Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls please.
World Monuments Fund is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. WMF is an at-will employer.