🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ West Africa Blue – 3 Positions

West Africa Blue is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Country Director
2.) Human Resources and Administrative Manager
3.) Project Activity Lead

About West Africa Blue

West Africa contains 14% of the world’s remaining mangroves. Along with immense carbon sequestration potential, these coastal ecosystems help protect against erosion, storms and flooding and support diverse terrestrial and marine fauna, including IUCN Red List Threatened Species. Yet these vital wetlands are under increasing threat due to climate change and human activities. Nature-based solutions such as carbon credit projects can play an important role in helping to preserve these ecosystems while also providing a path for under-resourced communities to achieve sustainable economic development.

West Africa Blue (“Blue”) partners with communities and governments to pioneer and launch urgently needed high-integrity, financially sustainable, nature-based solutions. We seek to mitigate climate change, boost community resilience and protect biodiversity. Our partnership builds income diversification opportunities, sustainable strategies, critical skills development and enhanced financial inclusion, especially for women, in rural areas of Africa.

Our team is diverse, innovative, entrepreneurial and committed, with a deep, longstanding connection to West Africa. We are seeking an inspirational leader to join us and lead our flagship project in Sierra Leone.

Blue was co-founded in 2022 by Solon Capital Partners, a leading West Africa-focused investor providing capital and support to high-impact organizations throughout the region.

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Country Director

The Role

The role of Country Director, Sierra Leone is central to our mission and strategy. Our flagship project in Sierra Leone (a large scale community-centric mangrove conservation and restoration carbon credit project) has been underway for 2 years, and we expect to issue carbon credits within the next 12-24 months. This role is essential to achieving that key milestone and delivering successful projects in the country. The role presents a unique opportunity to tackle climate change directly while making a meaningful impact in the lives of affected communities.

You will have significant management and operational responsibility, and you will join a close-knit team that is passionate, collaborative, and fun. United by a shared sense of purpose, we are committed to helping overcome one of the world’s biggest challenges whilst bringing development to some of its least-resourced communities.

The Country Director will be responsible for:

• Overseeing and managing the implementation of high-integrity, community-led mangrove conservation and restoration projects in Sierra Leone. This includes activities such as income diversification initiatives, efficient cooking solutions, community forestry programs and extensive community engagement.
• Leading and mentoring a direct team of managers and a wider community network of project staff, shaping the culture of our young organization.
• Building and fostering relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, funders, technical consultants and community members.
• Preparing and managing budgets and producing reports to present project performance and impact.
• Ensuring Blue’s operations in Sierra Leone are efficient, compliant and implemented at the highest standards.
• Representing Blue at local and international conferences in a senior management capacity.

Success in the role means:

• Blue achieves its project delivery targets.
• You have deep, deferential and trusting relationships with communities as well as strong, constructive relationships with national government and other key stakeholders.
• You and your team are globally recognized as leading practitioners in nature-based carbon projects.
• The company’s systems, policies, workstreams and resources are effectively managed.
• Your colleagues regard you as a dependable and proficient team member.
• Your team is continually developing their skills and the organization’s capabilities are constantly evolving. The team understands and demonstrates the company’s values and culture.
• You are up to date and well-versed in market trends and intelligence.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 8+ years of management experience within a high-paced, results-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Experience in successfully delivering complex projects in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Strong project management expertise including comprehensive planning, operations, budgeting, and financial management.
• Experience in successfully leading a diverse team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A proven ability to problem-solve and adapt efficiently.
• In-field experience working with rural communities.

In addition, it will be beneficial to have:

• A master’s degree in environmental science, natural sciences, business, management, communications, or similar.
• Experience with environmental policy and/or carbon markets.
• Experience working closely with rural communities.
• Experience working in Sierra Leone / West Africa.
• Proficiency in Krio and other languages of Sierra Leone.

We are seeking a highly motivated self-starter who is a team player and a natural leader. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems in a fast-paced environment and is excited to join us in our mission to build prosperous communities and thriving ecosystems through successful nature-based solutions. This role offers ambitious leaders the opportunity and support to take on greater responsibilities at Blue.

The Country Director will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone and require occasional trips to Blue’s project areas as well as international conferences/events.

We offer competitive compensation packages akin to those at start-ups and fast-growing businesses.

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2.) Human Resources and Administrative Manager

The Role

With our flagship project in Sierra Leone underway, Blue is seeking a dynamic and versatile professional to take on the challenging and critical role of Human Resources and Administrative Manager with our Sierra Leone team. This role presents a unique opportunity to gain a wealth of valuable experience in a new and exciting sector while making a meaningful impact in the lives of affected communities. You will join a close-knit team that is passionate, collaborative, and fun. United by a shared sense of purpose, we are committed to helping overcome one of the world’s biggest challenges.

The Human Resources and Administrative Manager will be responsible for leading/supporting the following core functions:

• The development and implementation of HR strategies, policies and procedures.
• Establishing HR priorities in collaboration with management.
• Effectively managing the operations of the offices including managing supplies, equipment, record-keeping, and facilities.
• Serving as a point of contact for internal and external communications, including handling correspondence and coordinating meetings.
• Leading the delivery of special projects including field missions, visitor trips and events.
• Ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

Success in the role means:

• Blue’s HR policies and procedures are implemented effectively and professionally.
• The company’s offices operate efficiently and professionally.
• Company field missions, visitor trips and events are well-organized and run smoothly.
• New/additional tasks and workstreams are taken on and managed diligently.
• Multiple workstreams are effectively delivered on in parallel.
• Blue’s stakeholders consistently share positive feedback regarding your ability to collaborate.
• Your colleagues regard you as a dependable and proficient team member.
• The highest standards of ethics and integrity are continuously demonstrated without exception.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management and 5+ years experience working in a human resources role within a high-paced, results-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Strong organizational skills and a track record for effectively multitasking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written work and reports.
• A demonstrated aptitude to excel under pressure and in challenging situations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office/Exchange and various technology platforms.
• Proficiency in English and Krio.
• Experience working in Sierra Leone / West Africa.

It will be beneficial for candidates to have the following:

• A master’s degree in human resources.
• Experience working with rural communities.
• Experience with climate action work, and/or community livelihood projects.

The following attributes will be critical for success in this role:

• A self-starter who can work independently.
• A patient, empathetic and respectful demeanor.
• A quick learner who can adapt and problem solve efficiently.
• Comfortable spending time in the field and in underdeveloped areas.
• An unwavering commitment to integrity.

We are seeking a highly motivated self-starter who is a team player and consummate professional. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems in a fast-paced environment and is excited to join us in our mission to build prosperous communities and thriving ecosystems through successful nature-based solutions. This role offers ambitious managers the opportunity and support to take on greater responsibilities at Blue.

The Human Resources and Administrative Manager will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with occasional trips to Blue’s project areas. We offer competitive compensation packages akin to those at start-ups and fast-growing businesses.

If you are an experienced professional who is passionate about communities and the environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

APPLY

3.) Project Activity Lead

The Role

With our flagship project in Sierra Leone underway, Blue is seeking a dynamic professional to take on the exciting and critical role of Project Activity Lead with our Sierra Leone team. You will be joining a team that is passionate, collaborative, and fun. We share a sense of adventure and are united by the challenge of helping overcome one of the world’s biggest challenges.

The Project Activity Lead will be responsible for leading the following core functions:

• Coordinating and driving the implementation of Blue’s various project activities throughout the project areas.
• Collaborating with members of the Blue team and external consultants to design project activity work plans which you will manage.
• Ensuring that the company’s community social safeguarding processes and policies are upheld.
• Ensuring that documentation and reporting requirements related to project activities are met.
• Collaborating with the Blue team and external consultants to monitor, review, assess and as needed, refine project activity plans.
• Closely managing field teams and consultants to effectively implement project activities.
• Effectively managing stakeholder relationships.

What does success in this role look like?

• Blue’s project activities are being delivered at a high standard and on schedule.
• You have established deep, deferential and trusting relationships with the communities.
• Multiple workstreams and multiple resources are effectively managed in parallel.
• There is proactive, effective and consistent communication with the broader Blue team and external stakeholders.
• Problems are efficiently solved as they arise.
• Your ability to collaborate receives positive feedback from Blue’s stakeholders.
• Your colleagues regard you as a dependable and proficient team member.
• Blue is progressing towards and achieving our targets for restoration and addressing deforestation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 2 – 3 years’ experience working in a high-paced, results-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Experience working within rural settings with local communities.
• Strong organizational skills; a track record for effectively juggling many tasks at once.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a demonstrated ability to produce high quality written work and reports.
• Experience managing teams of colleagues and/or consultants.
• Experience with capacity-building.
• A proven ability to problem-solve efficiently.

It will be beneficial for candidates to have the following:

• A master’s degree in environmental science, natural sciences, business, management, communications, or similar.
• Project management experience.
• Experience with climate action work, and/or community livelihood projects.
• Experience ensuring communities are deeply engaged with project processes and that community consent for the project is established.
• Experience working in Sierra Leone / West Africa.
• Proficiency in Krio.

The following attributes will be critical for success in this role:

• An open mindset and a strong sense of cultural awareness.
• Comfortable spending significant amounts of time in the field and in underdeveloped areas.
• A quick learner who can adapt efficiently.
• Passion and sense of urgency around nature-based solutions and communities.
• Hands-on problem solver.
• Energetic, proactive, respectful, and patient engagement with colleagues.

The Project Activity Lead will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with regular trips to Blue’s project areas.

We offer competitive compensation packages akin to those at start-ups and fast-growing businesses.

APPLY