Technical Lead, Guinean Forests Integrated Program

About the role

BirdLife International is seeking a Technical Lead for the Guinean Forests Integrated Program (GFIP) based in Dakar, Senegal. The role will oversee the regional programme, coordinate partners, and ensure delivery of conservation outcomes across the Guinean Forests biome.

Key responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the Guinean Forests Regional Programme in partnership with Conservation International, ensuring coordination, compliance and impact.
• Oversee programme planning, budgeting, reporting, implementation and delivery across country projects and regional initiatives.
• Manage the Project Management Unit and coordinate partners, consultants, sub‑grantees and stakeholders to achieve objectives.
• Drive stakeholder engagement, advocacy, outreach and regional collaboration to strengthen conservation outcomes.
• Embed innovation, gender equality, social inclusion, environmental safeguards and sustainable financing across activities.
• Provide technical leadership, training and knowledge exchange to government and non‑state stakeholders in West Africa.
• Support policy development, learning, knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships to scale impact.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes to meet GEF and donor requirements and support continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Post‑graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in Sustainable Development, Natural Resources Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Studies or a related field.
• Proven track record of leading complex, multi‑partner programmes and delivering results in biodiversity conservation, landscape management and sustainable development.
• Experience working in West Africa or with the Guinean Forests biome is desirable.
• Willingness to travel up to 30 % of the time.

Required skills

• Project management
• Budget planning and financial management
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Reporting to donors and GEF
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership coordination

What we offer

• Annual salary of €48,000
• Fixed‑term contract of 2 years with the possibility to renew up to 5 years
• Full‑time position (40 hours per week) based in Dakar
• Opportunity to lead a high‑impact conservation programme in the Guinean Forests biome