Supervisor : Landscape Manager
Rental : Sena Oura National Park, Pala Chad
Program : WCS Chad
Start date : As soon as possible
Type of Position : Permanent duration
PRESENTATION OF THE’ORGANISATION
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a private, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization founded in 1895 that saves wildlife and wilderness by understanding critical issues, by developing science-based solutions and taking conservation measures that benefit nature and humanity, he said. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, the, with a presence in more than 60 countries and experience in the creation of more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has brought together biological knowledge, the cultural understanding and partnerships needed to ensure that vibrant and wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations,this knowledge is applied to solve species management problems, including, habitats and ecosystems essential to improving the quality of life of poor rural populations whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.
WCS programme in Chad
In Chad, WCS has a long history of involvement in conservation, which dates back to 2005. This includes aerial surveys of semi-arid areas, air inventories and support for the protection of elephants in the 2006-2012 Zakouma Park, technical expert contributions to the development of the National Action Plan for the Elephant ( PANE ) of Chad in 2014, aerial counts of wildlife in 2015, a commitment in support of the Government of Chad for the management of the Sena-Oura National Park ( PNSO ) as part of a cross-border initiative close to the Bouba-Njidda National Park ( PNBN ) in Cameroon from 2016 until today. More recently, in May 2021, WCS, in partnership with the EU and other partners,launched the Central Chari Basin Conservation Programme called “Central Chari Basin Ecosystem: towards an integrated landscape approach (BC-Chari)”, covering the landscapes located between the South-East of Chad, the North of the CAR and the North-East of Cameroon. Over the past few years, WCS has worked with the Governments and Partners of Chad, CAR and Cameroon to establish cross-border co-ordination systems to combat poaching (in particular to combat well-organised poaching of elephants). WCS is developing a new programme with the EU to engage in transhumant cross-border pastoralism.northern CAR and North-East Cameroon. Over the past few years, WCS has worked with the Governments and Partners of Chad, CAR and Cameroon to establish cross-border coordination systems to combat poaching (in particular to combat well-organized elephant poaching). WCS is developing a new programme with the EU to engage in transhumant cross-border pastoralism.North CAR and North-East Cameroon. In recent years, WCS has worked with the Governments and Partners of Chad, CAR and Cameroon to set up cross-border coordination systems to combat poaching ( in particular to combat well-organized poaching of elephants ). WCS is developing a new program with the EU to engage in cross-border transhumant pastoralism.EU to engage in cross-border transhumant pastoralism.EU to engage in cross-border transhumant pastoralism.
The WCS Chad ( program created in May 2021 ) is responsible for representation, the management and administration of all WCS initiatives and activities in Chad as well as the good coordination of cross-border actions. A national office has been established in N’Djamena, with a time-consuming administration and representation team.
Post Office Summary
The overall objective of the community conservation coordinator is to lead the implementation of a rights-based approach to conservation, while ensuring an environment conducive to strengthening the role of communities in conservation solutions.
Tasks and responsibilities of the position
- Lead the implementation of ongoing community conservation activities in close collaboration with the Chief of the’eco-development of PNSO as well as with civil society organizations
- While advising the Landscape Manager, document and report on community conservation activities in a timely manner
- Lead and manage the’ team under his responsibility, providing overall strategic direction for the community conservation program, technical input and staff mentoring
- Develop and implement socio-economic research and monitoring systems, community conservation components of the Sena Oura landscape program.
- Participate in the development of strategies to integrate and implement the community and socio-economic aspects of the Landscape
- Implement community conservation and social protection frameworks and policies in close collaboration with the conservation department, the’ national team and in accordance with WCS standards
- Develop appropriate grievance resolution mechanisms (GRMs) and monitoring systems ;
- To develop free and informed prior consent and conservation approaches based on community rights
- Design and deploy community conservatories
- Train staff and partners in social protection ;
- Deploy and monitor social protections across the landscape
- Organize and facilitate local meetings, workshops and other participatory processes by working with the conservation department, communities and local authorities, and, WCS staff and other relevant partners to integrate community concerns into conservation, natural resource management and land use planning processes
- Design research, oversee data collection and analyze baseline data on socio-economic aspects, community relations, and, the interactions between populations and wildlife and traditional land use patterns in the region
- Provide training, mentoring and expertise to WCS Pala program staff and assist in training and mentoring the’ team in the collection and analysis of socio-economic data, including, community relationships and engagement, as well as community outreach/awareness methods.
- Coordinate and supervise WCS community conservation awareness teams.
- Work with international, national and local staff and organizations to create awareness to promote wildlife conservation, and, sustainable management of natural resources and conflict resolution, and addressing specific land use management issues.
- Advise on development priorities and work with other senior managers to plan and implement activities related to health, human rights, education, etc.
- Work with consultants and the WCS team to train, train, implement and monitor a community livelihoods program (including the small grants program) that is directly related to conservation, natural resource management, and, conflict mitigation and resilience to climate change.
- To promote capacity building of local communities, local authorities, local associations, subcontractors and staff.
- Work with the WCS staff to integrate socio-economic and land use data/land tenure in relevant GIS databases to contribute to comprehensive natural resource, protected area and zoning plans.
- As a senior member of the WCS Pala program team, participate in strategic meetings and identified tasks to help ensure the smooth running of the program.
- Work with WCS Pala staff and the Landscape Manager to ensure work plans, reports and budgets, including, the organization of logistics and responsibility for the budget of its section.
Required skills
- Master’s degree (or higher education level) in a relevant study on community conservation and natural resource management, wildlife management, etc. ; technical knowledge of socio-economic research methodologies.
- Proven experience with international organizations in Africa (3 years and older) in community conservation and natural resource management and experience working with local communities, including, in areas south of Chad.
- Effective in coordinating multiple resources to get things done ; can work on multiple tasks at multiple levels and switch between them ; can predict and plan around obstacles.
- Good technical, logistical and financial management of projects (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
- Proven experience in partner capacity building.
- Commitment to wildlife conservation.
- Proven skills in managing and building teams.
- Mastery of French and English required, knowledge of the local languages will be an advantage.
- Proven ability and ease of living and working in a multicultural environment in remote areas, in difficult terrain conditions.
Preferred qualifications
Significant professional experience, knowledge of environmental and political issues, and solid reputation in the environmental community of Chad.
How to apply
Interested candidates, who possess the above qualifications, skills and experience, must apply through this link before the 27 february 2024.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and are looking for future team members who share that same value.
