Date Posted

30-06-2014

The Wildlife Conservation Society is seeking an experienced conservationist and team manager to fill the position of Conservation and Biodiversity Unit Director for Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (NNNP) in the Republic of Congo. The primary responsibility of this position will be ensuring effective protection of the wildlife of NNNP. Nouabalé-Ndoki is the most intact, best-managed protected area in the Congo Basin, with thousands of forest elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees, critical rainforest habitat, good park facilities, and extraordinary tourism potential. 

The purpose of this position is to ensure the effective protection and conservation of NNNP and its wildlife while maintaining good relations with the surrounding community and the Government of the Republic of Congo.

WCS and the Government of Congo have established a Congolese public entity to manage Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, the 'Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation,' comprised of a multi-stakeholder board of directors and a Park Management Unit (PMU). The Conservation and Biodiversity Unit is one of 5 operational units in NNNP (the others include Community Development, Research and Monitoring, Logistics, and Finance and Administration) and reports directly to the Park Director in charge of the PMU. 

The Conservation and Biodiversity Unit Director will provide operational leadership and be responsible for all aspects of the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit as defined in the Park Management Plan and the parks annual work plan. Duties include recruitment, training, mentoring and management of wildlife law enforcement teams, working closely with the Ministry of Forests staff assigned to the PMU. In addition to coordinating all of the anti-poaching activities, the Unit Director will work closely with other PMU services and insure the collection and transmission of Law Enforcement Monitoring (LEM) data.

The job includes managing conservation and protection staff, developing strong relationships with government partners and ensuring the program runs smoothly day-to-day. The Conservation and Biodiversity Unit Director is based in the field, living permanently on-site at the park headquarters, Bomassa.   

General responsibilities   

• Operational responsibility of the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit (CBU) Recruit and train park ecoguards
• Manage a team that includes all CBU staff including 30-60 full-time park ecoguards anti-poaching rangers
• Work closely with the Research and Monitoring department to integrate informant and LEM data into park management and ecoguards deployment decisions 
• Assure that LEM data are collected and analyzed using the SMART LEM system 
• Using the SMART LEM system draft monthly law enforcement reports which include indicators of effort, seizures, resulting legal proceeding, maps with geo-referenced data on patrol effort and  illegal activities etc.
• Assure that all CBU ecoguards follow park regulations and are well disciplined 
• Implement the directives of the Park Director Advise and support the park management on anti-poaching planning and areas to implement patrols in the park and its periphery D
• evelop and implement the monthly park ecoguard patrol schedule, including the deployment of all protection personnel 
• Maintain CBU records including signed mission orders, GIS logs of all patrol routes, SMART data, debriefing data from all patrol missions, registry of all wildlife offences, etc.
• Create and maintain an information network related to environment and wildlife crime around the park Assure that all legal instruments related to seizures, incidents  or arrests are submitted by the appropriate personnel
• Follow up with the legal system cases sent to court Communicate regularly with the administrative authorities of the zones surrounding the park,
• Maintain and regularly update database of known wildlife 
• Maintain a clear and detailed personnel files on all unit staff
• Participate in weekly management meetings
• Be available to perform any other task assigned as part of the service by the park management Present to the management of the project a quarterly and annual activity report   

Person Specification

We are looking for an outstanding leader with proven managerial experience, strong communication skills, a full understanding of African conservation, and proven ability to command a law enforcement team. A relevant degree (e.g. biology, political science, law enforcement, management,) is essential, along with a thorough knowledge of the issues around wildlife protection, and wildlife trade. A proven ability to work well in a team in multi-cultural situations and under difficult field conditions is essential. Fluency in written and spoken French required. Bush pilot qualifications and experience beneficial

Experience:

Qualifications and Experience:

• A degree in the field of environmental or biological conservation from a recognized university. Candidates with a Masters degree will have an added advantage.
• At least five (5) years of conservation fieldwork experience with the last 2 years at a senior position.
• Experience in patrolling and enforcement related work and advanced training in this area of conservation would be an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge and commitment on the issues of wildlife conservation in Central Africa
• Excellent writing and speaking skills in French. Ability to converse in English.
• Must be computer literate and have the ability to use appropriate technology.
• Excellent leadership, diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
• Meticulous approach to work and ability to produce effective outcomes.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision, both in the field  and in the office.
• Organization and management skills (required)
• Proven track record in personnel management (required)
• Proven track record in wildlife management (required)
• Hands-on management of a remote and large protected area in Africa including staff supervision, infrastructure and maintenance, and law enforcement (required)
• Hands-on management of law enforcement operations, ideally with military training and experience (preferred)
• Experience working with tourism operators (preferred)
• Experience developing infrastructure within a remote protected area (preferred)  

To apply: Please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter to: the WCS Africa Program at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and cc This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Include contact information for three references and specify whether we may contact each of these or whether this should await your approval.