WCS recherche un directeur de projet adjoint – Le complexe transfrontalier du BSB binational, Tchad

 

 

Job Description :

Position : Chad Deputy Project Director – The Transboundary Complex of Binational BSB Yamoussa

Reports to : BSB Yamoussa project

Director Location : Sena Oura National Park

Country Program : WCS Chad

Start date : 15 March 2021

Position Type : Fulltime

Application deadline : 28th February 2021

 

Organization Background :

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.
The Sudano-Sahel Region presents unparalleled opportunities for WCS to play a direct role in saving some of the last remaining intact wildernesses on the planet and to contribute significantly to the security of people and wildlife. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key populations of endangered elephant, northern giraffe, lion, eland, chimpanzee, gorilla, bongo, and the second largest antelope migration on the planet. Hundreds of bird species occur in the area, including the shoebill and the crowned crane. Communities also depend on the land for their livelihoods through pastoralism, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a significant presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, with a strong conservation history and proven success in protected area management. WCS currently has conservation initiatives in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, with new program activities developing in Ethiopia.

Cameroon and Chad Program Overview :

Present in Cameroon since 1988 and in Chad since 2016, WCS works on three main landscapes namely UTO Takamanda-Mone, Mbam & Djerem National Park, and the Binational Complex of National Parks of-Sena Oura (Chad) and Bouba-Njidda (Cameroon). The BSB Yamoussa project is implemented by both the WCS Cameroon and WCS Chad program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife of the Republic of Cameroon, and the Ministry of Environment and Fisheries of the Republic of Chad, under the coordination of the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC), with financial support from the financial cooperation of the Federal Republic of Germany (Kfw).

The overall objective of the project is “to ensure the long-term conservation of the rich biological diversity, the integrity and the ecological services of the BSB Yamoussa transboundary complex, in particular through the restoration and development of monitoring systems and controls, allowing effective protection by the authorities in charge of protected areas”.

The BSB Yamoussa project revolves around four specific objectives :

  1. Rehabilitation and development of surveillance infrastructure to ensure that surveillance and protection systems respond effectively to the diversity and intensity of the various threats ;
  2. Staff capacity building and logistical support for an improvement of the management system of the protected areas of the BSB Yamoussa cross-border complex ;
  3. The fight against poaching, surveillance, and the effective application of laws relating to wildlife crime to establish effective protection at the landscape level ;
  4. Monitoring the populations of large mammals in order to improve their protection and assess the impact of the implementation of project activities. It is also supporting the process of relocating six landlocked villages in the Sena Oura national park, particularly in the construction of socio-economic infrastructure.

 

Duties and responsibilities :

  • Based at the project implementation site, under the supervision of the project director and in relation with conservation efforts of the Sena Oura Park the Deputy Project Director is responsible for the implementation and supervision of the project activities supporting the complex of transboundary protected areas of BSB Yamoussa and additional activities in relation to the conservation of the biological and ecological integrity of the landscape, more specifically in the Chadian part of the project ;
  • The Deputy Project Director, with the assistance of the Director, will provide technical direction and supervision of the project and will represent WCS in Chad where he will be in contact with government authorities, administration, donors and other partners active in the area of the project ;
  • He/she will maintain collaborative relations with the relevant government and technical services at national and regional levels, for the management and protection of the complex of transboundary protected areas of BSB Yamoussa, as well as with partners active in the project region ;
  • In collaboration with the decentralized administration services, as well as with partners active in the region, he/she is responsible for development of the corresponding annual work plans and budget. Working closely with the project director and the project operations manager, he/she will ensure the execution of all program activities in the field ;
  • He/she will also work closely with the anti-poaching coordinator in charge of implementation of the strategic anti-poaching action plan ;
  • He/she is responsible for the staff of his site (recruitment, evaluation, follow-up, etc.). He/she will work coordinate all the administrative and material aspects necessary for the success of the project activities ;
  • He/she will participate and ensure the proper functioning of the project logistical services in Chad including supervising and ensuring a good management and maintenance of the goods and properties of WCS at his disposal (rolling stock, computer equipment, etc.) As part of WCS program development, he/she will be expected to contribute to the preparation of proposals for the search for additional funding which will complement the funding of WCS activities in Cameroon and Chad ;
  • The Deputy Project Director will be responsible for providing key reports based on reports from staff under his responsibility according to the donor requirements. With support of the project director and the head of financial services, he/she will prepare the required monthly, quarterly and annual reports, including, where applicable, budgets and performance indicators for program activities ;
  • He/she will help the director and other staff to develop, implement and review the strategic plans for the project. He/she will, in conjunction with the project manager, carry out annual performance appraisals for all staff members directly under his responsibility and ensure that the direct supervisors carry out evaluations of their subordinates.

 

Qualification Requirements :

  • Hold a Master’s degree in an appropriate field, preferably in natural resource management (agronomy, forestry, environment), management of protected areas, or related fields, or / and proven experience (5 to 10 years) in project management conservation in Africa and specifically in the sustainable management of natural resources in Sudano-Sahelian zones and protected areas ;
  • Demonstrate the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary projects and activities as well as to be ability to develop and implement a work plan within the deadlines required by the donor (s) ;
  • Demonstrate the ability to work in a team and coordinate the activities of a multidisciplinary team, supervise and manage staff ;
  • Should have good communication and facilitation skills ;
  • Having experience in managing a project under Kfw funding is a plus ;
  • Efficient coordination of multiple resources to get things done; capable of working on multiple tasks at multiple levels and switching between them; able to foresee and plan around potential obstacles ;
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of logistics and financial management for projects (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) ;
  • Proven experience in building partners’ capacity ;
  • Experience in managing a projects under Kfw funding is an added advantage ;
  • Perfect written and oral command of French, good knowledge of English desired ;
  • Commitment to wildlife conservation ;
  • Proven ability and comfortable with living and working in a multicultural environment in isolated areas, under difficult field conditions.

Application Process :

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV, in French; including names and contact information of three references to : [email protected] by 28th February 2021. Please include “Candidature pour le poste de Directeur adjoint – Sena Oura” in the subject line of your email.