WCS recruits 01 Chief of Party

WCS recruits 01 Chief of Party – Sustainable Bushmeat ROC

Reports To: WCS Congo Country Program Director

Start date: December 2020

Duration: 3.5 years

Position type: Full-time

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, 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.

Republic of Congo Program Overview:

Over the past 25 years WCS Congo has been the government’s principle conservation partner, assisting the Ministry of Forest Economy (MEF) in managing wildlife and its habitat in several of the country’s national parks, reserves, and protected area buffer zones. Within these sites WCS is developing and implementing actions for effective wildlife protection; community based natural resource management; ecological monitoring; scientific research; and environmental education. The program is the largest in WCS’s global portfolio and reports to the Regional Program for Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea. WCS Congo’s current portfolio of programs includes the management of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park through a Public-Private Partnership with the Government of Congo, wildlife management in the substantial buffer zones of the Park, support to the management of Lac Tele Community Reserve, a national program to support reform of marine conservation and resource management and a substantial policy support program to the central government in Brazzaville.

Job Summary:

Conserving the biodiversity of northern Congo by diversifying the livelihoods of bushmeat value chain agents and increasing poultry production, the WCS Chief of Party (C0P) will ensure the implementation, coordination and administration of all activities supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) office, under their Environmental Partnership Program (EPP) in the provision of alternative proteins in the Republic of the Congo. The award runs from September 2020 – September 2024.

Major Responsibilities:

The CoP will deliver on the following principal responsibilities in full coordination with, and supported by, the WCS Congo management team and the WCS Central Africa Regional team:

Serve as the primary WCS point of contact and authorized representative with USAID in regard to all communications on the Sustainable Poultry EPP project.

Maintain good working relationships with all project participants, stakeholders, beneficiaries and other relevant organizations both in the RoC and in the wider Central Africa region.
Maintain a strong and responsive relationship with the CARPE Director, AO, AOR and other relevant USAID and USG staff.
Maintain close working relationships with the WCS Congo and NNNP management teams.
Ensure that USAID and project stakeholders are kept regularly up to date on project activities, deliverables and events.

Coordinate the implementation, management and administration of the Sustainable Poultry EPP project:

Coordinate with management teams to ensure that project objectives are achieved to a high standard and on schedule.
Oversee and, in some cases, carry out the delivery of the project’s technical activities in accordance with the project work plan.
Ensure that adequate technical assistance is available, in close collaboration with the human resources department, supervising the recruitment and engagement of technical experts, partners and project staff, as appropriate, to help achieve the project objectives.
In liaison with the WCS Congo Country Program Director, liaise with the Congolese Government, civil society and business groups, and other organisations as needed to coordinate activities and achieve the project objectives.
In liaison with the WCS finance team, ensure financial planning and execution of approved budgets is in compliance with financial and administrative policies and procedures of USAID and WCS.
In liaison with the WCS Regional Grants Manager, ensure contractual and procurement procedures are executed in a timely manner in compliance with administrative policies and procedures of USAID and WCS.

Ensure that all USAID reporting requirements are met to a high standard and on schedule.

Preparation, submission for internal review and final submission of all contractually required technical project documentation (work plans, budgets, annual reports etc.).
Ensure all financial reporting is prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with:

WCS policies and procedures.
The requirements set out in the EPP award contractual agreement.
USAID and relevant U.S. Government rules and regulations.
The national law of the Republic of the Congo.

Experience / Training

Significant experience of project management.

Experience working in inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams and managing several major activities simultaneously, proven ability to achieve project targets and objectives
Experience managing international donor-funded projects, with multiple project partners and diverse project elements preferred.
Experience in gender mainstreaming and the ability to conduct gendered power analyses, effectiveness and needs assessments as required by the program and the ability to encourage active participation of diverse stakeholders preferred.
Experience implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Strong understanding of U.S. Government rules and regulations that govern the implementation of USAID-funded activities.

Experience of managing USAID-funded projects preferred.

Knowledge of African conservation issues.

A Masters or PhD degree in agronomic engineer, conservation, the social sciences, or other relevant field experience in African conservation.
Experience working on conservation projects in field settings preferred.
Experience working in Central Africa region would be an advantage.

Understanding of business management principles and private sector dynamics.

Experience operating in the private sector would be an advantage.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated representational skills, with an ability to maintain favourable public relations.
Experience giving effective presentations to diverse audiences.

Demonstrated high-level competency in writing and editing of professional technical reports and other written products.

Fluency in English and professional competency in French.

Salairy

Duration: 3,5 years

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply by emailing a detailed application/cover letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references to wcscongobrazza@wcs.org

Please include “WCS Chief of Party Northern Congo” in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you have any queries related to this position please contact: Morgane Cournarie, mcournarie@wcs.org .

Application Deadline: 5 November 2020, at 10 am Congo time

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

EOE/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled

Click here to apply

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