Landscape Leader, Democratic Republic of Congo

~ The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US nonprofit, 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.

Position Overview

WCS will in the near future be expanding its role and activities in the Maiko - Tayna - Kahuzi - Biega landscape in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in cooperation with USAID and the Government of DRC.

WCS is looking for an experienced Landscape Leader to ensure the oversight and coordination of activities within this landscape, supported by USAID under the Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) project of the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE). The landscape includes the Maiko and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks, Itombwe and Tayna Reserves, and corridor areas linking these protected areas, many of which have been informally established as community reserves.

The Landscape Leader will work with WCS DRC and cross-cutting staff to implement a broad range of conservation strategies including protected area management, wildlife law enforcement, biological and socio-economic surveys, land-use planning, local livelihood activities linked directly to biodiversity conservation targets, and the development of REDD+ strategies to reduce deforestation.

In addition to work funded by USAID, the Landscape Lead will also oversee WCS programs within the landscape funded by other donors. The position will report to the WCS DRC Country Director and will be based in either Goma or Bukavu, DRC, with extensive travel around the landscape, as well as regular travel to Kinshasa. 

Responsibilities  

The duties of the Landscape Lead will include: 

• Oversight and implementation of WCS programs within the MTKB landscape, in accordance with WCS field operations policies and procedures, approved work plans and budgets, and contractual agreements. 
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with other program partners, stakeholders, beneficiaries, government agencies and other relevant organizations.
• Responsible for the day to day coordination and oversight of contractual agreements with program partners. 
• Along with the DRC Country Program and other WCS staff, participating in the development of new projects and activities within the landscape, and assisting with fundraising. 
• Working with the DRC country program and the CARPE Chief of Party to prepare technical reports as required. In addition to regular formal reports, ensuring that the DRC country program is kept regularly up to date on project activities and achievements, and providing summaries of any special project highlights which can be used to keep donors informed.
• In collaboration with WCS DRC program, CARPE Chief of Party and cross-cutting staff, monitoring program implementation according to the monitoring and evaluation plan, and preparation for and coordination of program evaluations.
• Oversight of financial management, human resources and WCS assets for the MTKB landscape according to WCS policies and systems. 
• Assuring that all WCS security standards and protocols are implemented in coordination with WCS policies. 

Qualifications  

Requirements for the position include: 

• A Masters or PhD degree in conservation, natural resource management, or other relevant field and ten years relevant experience in Africa.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in difficult settings, and politically sensitive situations.
• Experience of managing projects with a wide range of different elements and multiple sub-grantees and partners. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and relational skills, especially in a cross-cultural environment, including fluency in French and English. Knowledge of Swahili would be an advantage.
• Experience of working in an area of insecurity.
• Experience of working in eastern DRC and/or other countries in the Central Africa region would be an advantage. 

To Apply 

• Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three referees not later than August 15th, 2015.
• Please include "MTKB Landscape Lead position" in the subject line of your email.
• Please also click here to send a copy of your appplication materials, (file size should be limited to under 500kb).
• Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.