Cameroon: Director, Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project, Cameroon

Job Description

Director, Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project, Cameroon

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an international conservation NGO with headquarter in Bronx, New York, USA, currently seeks candidates for the position of Project Director for its Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project. The Takamanda-Mone region is defined by the Government of Cameroon as a Technical Operation Unit (TOU) and a collaborative project to conserve this landscape is being conducted by the Cameroon Ministry of Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) through the Program for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources PSMNR with the participation of a significant number of other technical and financial partners.

The project covers the Takamanda and Mone Forest Reserves and the Mbulu forest, and is contiguous with the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park in Nigeria. This area is one of the most biologically diverse in Africa and provides the last remaining stronghold for the Cross River gorilla. WCS plays a leading role in a coordinated research and conservation program focused on this critically endangered ape across Cameroon and Nigeria. WCS collaborates with the Government of Cameroon, international and local organizations, researchers, and local communities to promote conservation actions, sustainable natural resource use, and proper planning and implementation of development activities.

WCS has the lead role in the implementation of conservation-related activities within protected areas and other important forest areas of the Takamanda-Mone TOU. Project activities focus on biological and ecological research with special attention given to the status, distribution, ecology and the conservation challenges facing the Cross River gorilla; environmental education and community outreach; assistance in the management of conservation efforts through wildlife monitoring, socio-economic research, and the provision of advice and support to the government's protection activities; and community engagement and capacity building.
The Project Director is responsible for all aspects of the management and oversight of WCS's Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project activities as a full time manager, overseeing the day-to-day management of the staff, grants, resources, equipment, project outcomes, and field activities. The responsibilities will include staff recruitment and oversight, fund raising, budget management and reporting. The position is based in Bamenda and reports to the WCS Cameroon Country Director based in Yaounde. The Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project and WCS Cameroon are managed as part of WCS’ Sudano-Sahel Regional Program under the guidance of the Regional Director.

Responsibilities & Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating activities between WCS and partner organizations

• Developing and implementing comprehensive workplans and related budgets

• Managing personnel – including recruitment, oversight, and staff development

• Ensuring overall management for TMLP grants, responsible for achieving defined outcomes and ensuring compliance with grant agreements

• Producing timely and accurate technical reports and ensuring sound financial management

• Collaborating in the development of fundraising strategies, proposals, and budgets coordinating with program and development staff in the field and New York

• Overseeing the management of the office resources, field equipment, IT infrastructure, and vehicles

• Representing WCS externally, managing donor and partner relations

• Coordinating work in close collaboration with a parallel WCS project in Nigeria as well as with management and support staff in Yaounde and the US

Qualifications:

• A master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field is required

• A minimum of 5 years' experience of managing substantial conservation projects in Africa

• A demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple projects and activities, create and manage workplans, and adhere to deadlines

• Demonstrated organizational, operational and financial expertise

• Experience leading teams and managing personnel

• Strong oral, facilitation, and written communication skills

• A demonstrated ability to manage financial accounts and reporting

• Experience with successful fundraising initiatives including stewarding current donors and identifying new donors

• An ability to work constructively in a multicultural situations

• Experience designing and implementing ecological and socio-economic monitoring

• Some knowledge of gorilla or primate biology would be helpful

• The ability to maintain a high level of self motivation and to promote this in others

• An ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy in a complex, demanding environment

• English fluency is essential and the ability to speak French is desirable

• A commitment to WCS’s core values and mission

Interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter and CV to Dr. Roger Fotso (rfotso@wcs.org) and wcscameroon@wcs.org. This position is to be filled as soon as possible; and applications will be reviewed as they are received. Candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal by searching job title at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews