I have a vast experience with project cycle management in conservation and development projects in various settings disposing of the fist-hand experience of donor´s as well as implementing organization´s perspective and requirements. At the same time, having 3 years of experience in in-situ projects department of the Prague Zoo I could benefit from the first hand experience of field as well as zoo based conservation work and already established relations with the main actor in the sector. My main specialization is community-based social initiatives focusing on livelihoods, poverty, and behavior change. During the last 5 years I have been working on various projects in Africa (Ethiopia, Zambia, Cameroon) and Mongolia.

In the frame of my most recent assignment working as Head of in-situ projects department for the Prague Zoo I was responsible for the management of the project on environmental education, The Wandering Bus, in Cameroon

http://www.waza.org/en/site/conservation/waza-conservation-projects/wandering-bus

and project of the “Return of the Wild Horses” to Mongolia whose aim is to re-establish Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia by means of reintroduction

http://www.waza.org/en/site/conservation/waza-conservation-projects/gobi-b-takhi-project

Being given that the above project is dedicated to the transportation of living animals from Czech Republic to Mongolia, it makes it highly demanding in terms of fast decision making, coordination, logistics, procurement and immediate media coverage. These skills could be of benefit for the position.

In Zambia I was fully responsible for running a field office in the Meheba refugee camp implementing program of Local Integration of former Angolan refugees. The program consisted of technical, vocational and entrepreneurship training to build capacity and provide support to other income generating activities. My duties included project cycle management ranging from programming while providing Head of Mission with first-hand field assessment outputs to the daily implementation of activities in complementarity with the project logframe. I was in charge of local staff, elaborating weekly and monthly plans with regard to continuous monitoring of field activities and reporting in compliance with UNHCR requirements.

During my assignment in Ethiopia, I was responsible for the Taza Sustainable Livelihood Development Program focused on empowering local communities with financial and technical start-up support in order to sustain their livelihoods. Program has thus facilitated establishment of numerous IGA groups and 3 agriculture cooperatives, facilitated the land ownership, pond construction, tools and skill for vegetable production, apiculture handling and cattle watering using sustainable water management practices. As Country Representative my role was representation (dealing with government, international and local organizations, networks and media, financial management, accountability, supervision of project implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.