Cameroon: Law Enforcement Advisor

Key Purpose of the Job

This post will oversee all aspects of ZSL’s work to support law enforcement and address illegal wildlife trade in Cameroon in line with our country strategy and funded commitments. The post holder will support our wildlife protection activities to combat poaching and trafficking by: working with other team members to develop and implement operational systems related to law enforcement; producing resources and trainings to develop capacity to carry these out within the ZSL team and partners; establishing field based information gathering networks; supporting arrest operations against traffickers and strengthening judiciary follow up of court cases; and supporting the community surveillance networks. This will primarily focus on illegal wildlife trade affecting priority landscapes for the programme including the Dja complex, and Lake Ossa/Douala-Edea. The post-holder will also provide technical input on project development, design, delivery and reporting. He/she will assist with maintaining existing and developing new, relationships and partnerships with relevant stakeholders including Cameroonian authorities, judiciary, donor agencies, local and international NGOs, private sector actors, research institutions and local communities.

The post will be based at ZSL’s office in Yaoundé, main field sites in the East Region and Lake Ossa with regular national and regional travel as required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Law Enforcement

· Engage with key stakeholders working within the judicial system in order to improve law enforcement, and deliver appropriate sentencing for serious wildlife crime in accordance with Cameroon law.

· Follow up on, record (and where necessary attend) court cases involving serious wildlife crime.

· Support the implementation of Community Surveillance Networks in priority landscapes.

· Lead implementation of law enforcement activities in priority landscapes to improve effectiveness of support to partners to control poaching and illegal wildlife trade

· Develop written guidelines and procedures for all relevant programme law enforcement activities including a ZSL Cameroon confidential information policy.

· Management of field based information networks to include overseeing collection, exploitation and transmission of sensitive information.

· Provide support to project and partner teams in the planning and execution of enforcement activities (targeted arrest operations, drafting and forwarding court complaint reports, judiciary follow up of court cases etc.) in the field.

· Ensuring country manager, relevant colleagues and key partners are kept up to date on emerging issues related to poaching, illegal wildlife trade, judiciary system, corruption, security etc.

· Monitor and assess the performance of law enforcement activities carried out in various field sites and provide technical assistance where necessary.

· Support relevant government authorities to set up effective informant networks and provide ongoing technical support as required.

Programme development, co-ordination and support

· Work with project managers to ensure successful delivery of projects to a high standard.

· Support project development and writing of fund raising proposals for law enforcement work as appropriate.

· Provide technical advice and support to staff and partners, in line with ZSL’s experience, to ensure the quality of outputs and maximum impact of the programme in Cameroon.

· Travel to project sites and other localities as necessary for project activities.

· Work with the programme team to build the institutional capacity of local partners.

Reporting and Communications

· Ensure technical and financial reports to ZSL, donors and partners are produced on time and to a professional standard.

· Represent ZSL at key meetings and workshops and develop ZSL’s profile in Cameroon and the wider region as required.

· Assist the Country Manager with building and maintaining strong, open and regular communication with key local partners, and ensure their consultation and inclusion in the design and implementation of all project activities in Cameroon.

Expectations of job holder

· To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all aspects of the post holder’s work.

· To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities attached to this post.

· Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information in line with the confidential information policy.

· To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary.

· To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job.

· To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.

NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

· Experience of living and working in developing countries, ideally Central Africa.

· A higher degree (MSc or above) in a subject related to conservation/natural resource management / wildlife law or equivalent level of work experience in a relevant field.

· Strong experience in the field of law enforcement (anti-corruption, anti-poaching, wildlife law or/and protected area management).

· Proven capacity building skills, experience in developing training resources and delivering training.

· Experience in project design, planning and management desirable.

· Experience of managing relationships with relevant partners.

· Experience of technical and financial report writing.

Knowledge

· A good understanding of current international and Africa specific illegal wildlife trade issues.

· Good understanding of intelligence management systems especially regarding sensitive information. Good understanding of relevant legal and procedural systems.

Skills & Abilities

· Fluent spoken and excellent written French essential.

· Ability to communicate in English desirable.

· Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.

· Good cultural awareness and able to work effectively in different cultural environments.

· Strong organisational skills, with ability to carry out multiple tasks to deadlines.

· Personable and ability to work both within a team and with minimal supervision.

· Motivated.

· Effective networking and people skills.

· Ability to manage enforcement databases.

· Excellent report-writing skills.

Other Requirements

· Driver’s license preferred.

· Able and willing to work long hours and over weekends when required.

· Willing and able to travel to and spend time in project sites in Cameroon.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "**Apply for this job online**" button on the following link:

https://careers-zsl.icims.com/jobs/1256/law-enforcement-advisor%2c-cameroon-%28full-time---1-year-fi...

If you have any queries regarding these positions or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications is: Midnight Sunday 29th May 2016.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.