The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

Our work on climate change seeks to construct the building blocks of low-emission, climate-resilient communities. We work throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East for chiefly governmental clients, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.

Abt Britain is seeking candidates to serve as Team Leader for an upcoming tender opportunity funded by FCDO titled Congo Basin Forestry Action Program (CBFAP), particularly the “Forest for Local Communities” component of CBFAP. CBFAP is a seven-year program to support effective forest governance and markets reform; provide grassroots support to local communities; mobilize private sector finance for forests; and drive reform, ambition and cooperation.

Forests for Local Communities (FLC) focuses these efforts across four Congo Basin countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon). The primary objective is to increase participation, transparency, and accountability in forest land use planning and decision-making processes. Through this objective, FLC aims to improve forest and land use governance and forest management solutions that support forest-dependent communities.

The Team Leader will be responsible for the management and delivery of both the FLC program and the FLC team. These responsibilities include primary engagement with FCDO client representatives, representation of FLC to external governmental and non-governmental stakeholders; and managing relationships with local organizations, other programs operating in the region, and other Abt program staff.

Location - The successful candidates will be based in Kinshasa, with travel across the Congo Basin as required.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with FCDO points of contact in the program countries.

• Report regularly to FCDO by fulfilling formal reporting requirements and reporting on an informal basis as needed.

• Develop and cultivate working relationships with key stakeholders in both other Congo Basin countries and the UK and working to ensure coordination on program delivery.

• Build strong relationships with partner firms as well as other consultants and technical experts engaged in program delivery.

• Manage working relationships with leaders of other development programs to find commonalities and synergies where possible.

• Overall management of the program and program staff.

• Manage other relationships critical to successful program delivery, including local governments, other agencies, partners, and other stakeholders.

• Oversight and quality management for the program, ensuring that all outputs are delivered on time and within budget, and that deliverables conform to and comply with FCDO requirements and expectations.

• Regularly conduct assessments to identify risks and opportunities. Develop and implement plans to mitigate potential risks and exploit potential opportunities.

What We Value

We invite applications from candidates with the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent or higher, preferable.

• At least eight years of experience managing large and complex donor-funded programs funded (preferably FCDO), preferably in DRC and other Congo Basin countries.

• Technical expertise in at least one or more of the following areas: forestry and sustainable land use, market systems development, land tenure and resource rights, and forest commodity value chains.

• Experience working with local communities, ideally in Congo Basin countries.

• Experience with climate finance and private sector engagement.

• Experience managing interdisciplinary and complex teams.

• Strong oral and written communication skills in both English and French.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/) . In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Around the world, vulnerable populations face an array of complex problems. At Abt Global, we’re committed to making fundamental societal change in these disproportionately affected communities. We help wherever we’re needed. Here, you’ll collaborate with an international network of talented colleagues as you design and implement solutions for critical health, climate, economic, and governance issues. In partnership with local and indigenous communities you will help to improve lives and livelihood. All the while having the support and encouragement of leaders who always put your career and wellbeing first. Come make a World of Difference with us.

At Abt, our commitment to creating a more equitable society for populations around the world starts from within. We understand how communities can flourish when people are given the right resources and support, and at Abt we continuously strive to cultivate a culture where there are no barriers to personal and professional fulfilment. Our welcoming and inclusive environment, our stance on employee wellbeing and flexibility, our deliberate approach towards expanding our talent representation, and our Employee Networking Groups are just some of the ways we ensure that everyone at Abt can thrive. With an eye towards continuous improvement, we know there’s always more to be done. And we’re set on doing it.