Project Directors, Congo

The Wildlife Conservation Society will be recruiting for various positions in Central Africa. Two positions currently available in the Republic of Congo are (1) Project Director, Conkouati-Douli National Park Landscape Project (reference: CDNP) and (2) Project Director, Project for Ecosystem Management of the Periphery of the Nouabal -Ndoki National Park (reference: PROGEPP).

1. The Conkouati-Douli National Park is located along the coast of the Republic of Congo, adjacent to the border with Gabon, covering 5,045 km2 of marine habitat, coastal mangroves and lagoons, littoral forest, inland lakes, savanna, swamp forest and mountainous rain forest. Humpback whales, killer whales, and dolphins occur off the coast, and the beach itself has been described as part of the best remaining sea turtle habitat in Africa. CDNP also harbors manatees, at least four species of monkeys, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, leopard, buffalo, hippo, bushbuck, jackals, mandrills, kob, sitatunga, and golden cat, among other species. Over 400 species of birds have been identified in the area in and around the Park. The CDNP and surrounding landscape are currently threatened by the commercial bushmeat trade and commercial logging pressures. WCS and the Government of Congo are working on a joint project to conserve and manage the CNDP and surrounding landscape. Project activities focus on law enforcement, environmental education and community outreach, alternative activities, wildlife management, and ecological and socio-economic research and monitoring. Cross-border collaboration with Gabonese wildlife authorities is particularly important regarding marine conservation and other transboundary issues. The Project Director is responsible for management and oversight of CDNP activities as a full time on site manager based at the Park headquarters.
2. PROGEPP is a progressive WCS-initiated project which aims to mainstream biodiversity conservation and wildlife management through improved forestry management of the timber concessions (1,600,000 ha.) surrounding the Nouabal Ndoki National Park, northern Republic of Congo. The project is based on the collaboration between WCS, the Ministry of Forestry Economy and Environment of the Government of Congo, timber companies, and local communities. Project activities focus on wildlife management, environmental education and community outreach, alternative activities, wildlife law enforcement, ecological and socio-economic research and monitoring, and working with timber companies to reduce the impact of exploitation practices. The Project Director is responsible for management of PROGEPP activities and staff (100-110 employees) and is based as a full time on site manager in the remote village of Kabo, northern Republic of Congo.

For each position, approximately 60% of time is dedicated to management of project staff and program activities and research. The Project Director is also responsible for fund raising, basic budget management, and reporting. The Project Director works closely with the Project Administrator to assure accounting, purchasing, other administrative tasks, and smooth running of the project (approx. 40% of time). The Project Director reports to the WCS Congo Country Program Director and the Director of the Africa Program in New York.

Experience Required:

Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years experience working in conservation management in Africa. A Masters or Ph.D. degree in a relevant field is desired. French fluency is essential. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to coordinate project activities, manage personnel, design and undertake ecological and socio-economic monitoring, organize accounts and reporting, work constructively in multi-cultural situations, and maintain a high level of self-motivation.

The successful candidates will be given a two-year contract, with the possibility for renewal pending evaluation of performance and program context.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to:

Mrs. April Stanley,
WCS Africa Program,
2300 Southern Boulevard,
Bronx, NY 10460.
Fax: 718-364-4275;
E-mail: wcsafrica@wcs.org; reference: CDNP or PROGEPP)

For more information visit our web site.

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