NTFP Manager at Resonance

Resonance is an award-winning frontier market solutions firm based in Burlington, Vermont that helps a variety of donor, commercial, and investor clients around the world catalyze lasting impact.  We envision a prosperous and just world of thriving markets, healthy ecosystems, and vibrant communities where businesses, governments and citizens work together creating a better world for all.

Resonance seeks to catalyze large-scale social, environmental, and economic change by new and dynamic forms of collaboration. We do this by fostering public-private partnerships, facilitating sustainable investment, and providing deep analytical insights in frontier markets.  We strive to merge strategic insight with practical on-the-ground knowledge into an integrated approach that emphasizes results.

We seek candidates who are ready to apply their analytical and problem-solving skills to some of our planet’s greatest challenges in an entrepreneurial, fun, and fast-paced environment. We are looking for passionate and committed people who can work collaboratively to deliver results for our clients and stakeholders around the world.

Resonance is currently seeking Non-Timber Forest Products Manager candidates to propose for an upcoming 5-year USAID-funded Zambia Alternatives to Charcoal project. The purpose of this activity is to promote energy alternatives to charcoal with the goal of reducing deforestation and forest degradation in certain provinces of Zambia. The position is contingent upon contract award.
The Non-Timber Forest Products Manager will report to the Innovation and Challenge Lead and will work closely with the project’s Livelihoods Manager. This position will primarily be responsible for coordinating the development of charcoal regulation and policy with the Department of Forestry, overseeing community-level forestry related implementation, and leading the project’s focus on non-timber forest product (NTFP) development. This position will be responsible for leading the design and execution of the project’s forestry strategy in charcoal producing areas of Zambia. They will have experience working with the Zambian government on forestry and charcoal issues and will be experienced in NTFP business development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Provide technical leadership and oversight of APPROACH’s engagement with the forestry sector—specifically around charcoal use and non-timber forest products.
• Research the economic implications and strategies for reducing charcoal production, with a specific focus on the dynamics of forestry supply chains, growth and value of charcoal biomass, and charcoal demand.
• Identify and lead the implementation of strategies for substituting charcoal production with NTFP enterprises that effectively meet the economic, social, and cultural needs of charcoal producers.
• Analyze and develop partnerships in Zambia and internationally, focused on NTFP value chain market development to support producers and community level enterprises. NTFPs could include but not be limited to honey, shade coffee and cocoa, seed, caterpillar, mushrooms, nuts, and tree oils.
• Work closely with the Zambian Government on strengthening policy, regulations, and enforcement around forestry issues related to charcoal.
• Monitor progress of partnerships on established work plans and towards programmatic goals.
• Document implementation successes, challenges, and lessons learned and share them through regular reports.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in forestry, economics, business, rural development, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of relevant experience related to the charcoal and/or forestry sectors in Zambia.
• Experience working with or in the department of Forestry and the Zambian Government on natural resource issues and governance.
• Past enterprise development experience that fostered the growth of enterprises in frontier markets related to the NTFP or forestry sector.
• Strong forestry and/or natural resource economics background, with proven ability to conduct forest economics research.
• Strong understanding of charcoal sector issues in Zambia.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a team environment as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in providing technical assistance, including organizing and facilitating workshops.
• Proven ability to meet targets and deadlines.
• Ability and interest to live and work in Lusaka, Zambia.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES 

• Experience working on USAID projects in Zambia
• Experience working with Zambia’s Forestry Department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of SSG-Advisors, LLC (doing business as Resonance) is to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. Resonance hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. Resonance believes that employees should be provided with a working environment which enables each associate to be productive and to work to the best of his or her ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere