Position title:                          North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape Director
Reports to:                              Country Director, Cameroon
Country Program/Sector:     Cameroon
Position Type:                        Full Time
Location:                                Garoua, Cameroon
Internal liaison:                     All teams in Northern Cameroon and Sena Oura National Park, Chad
Coordinates with:                  Various departments of the WCS North Cameroon program and Chad – Sena Oura Program, WCS Cameroon offices, WCS Chad offices, WCS Sudano-Sahel Regional Team
Expected travel:                     Frequent travel to the National parks and within the wider region

Context
The Wildlife Conservation Society works to safeguard wildlife and natural habitats through rigorous scientific research, an international environmental education programme and the management of the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks. These activities help to change people’s attitudes towards nature and aim to promote viable and sustainable interaction between people and wildlife at local and global levels.

WCS has been operating in Cameroon since 1985. Through its partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) WCS supports the Government of Cameroon to protect its biodiversity in four protected areas across the country. Currently, the WCS Cameroon programme is working on three main landscapes, namely the Takamanda-Mone Technical Operational Unit (UTO), the Mbam and Djerem National Park, and the Binational Complex of the Benoué, Bouba-Ndjida (Cameroon) and Sena Oura (Chad) National Parks.  WCS Cameroon has three offices and employs 274 persons, 96% of whom are Cameroonian nationals. Approximately 200 persons are currently employed in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex landscape.

WCS signed an agreement with the government of Chad in February 2023, which includes the provision of technical support in areas such as the conservation of wildlife, forests and fisheries. This includes the management of protected areas, such as Sena-Oura National Park, and the establishment of a number of projects to protect and study specific populations of charismatic large wildlife.

WCS started working in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex in 2013 to install protections for wildlife. Since 2016, WCS has acted in a technical advisory capacity to MINFOF in the management of the protected areas in the landscape. This involves providing support to the management units of Bouba Ndjidda National Park (BNNP) and Bénoué National Park (BNP).  Bouba Njidda National Park covers 220,000 hectares, and is surrounded by seven hunting zones totaling 500,000 hectares of Protected Areas. It also includes Bénoué National Park, composed of a core area of 180,000 hectares and fourteen hunting zones extending over 1,047,874 hectares. Importantly, the largest program in WCS Cameroon’s portfolio is North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex, that extends from Bouba Ndjidda into Chad’s 73,500 hectare Sena Oura National Park. This transboundary project and its field team are managed from WCS’s office in Garoua in coordination with WCS offices in Pala (Chad) and N’Djamena (Chad).  The approach of WCS in North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex is designed to preserve ecological connectivity between the various conservation units. Current activities focus on supporting law enforcement in teams consisting of WCS, and Chadian and Cameroonian government agencies; monitoring of various large mammal species; provision of management support to the government; infrastructure development to facilitate the movement and accommodation of field teams; and community conservation to provide benefits to local communities and reduce pressure on the parks.

Job Purpose
WCS is seeking a Landscape Director who can inspire, lead, build and support a large multidisciplinary team to deliver conservation gains and community benfits.  The Landscape Director is responsible for the implementation, strategic development, coordination and administrative and financial management of activities in the North Cameroon/Chad Bionational Complex Landscape. This position requires leadership and management skills, as well as diplomacy and close coordination and collaboration with government agents, traditional authorities, and partners.

Responsibilities

Team leadership and Management

• Lead and manage a team of appoximately 200 persons in Cameroon and Chad, providing guidance and support, and fostering a cohesive and motivated work environment.
• Inspire team members and cultivate a shared vision for conservation success.
• Build a diverse, gender-balanced, and inclusive workforce.
• Work with the Country Director, HR manager, Finance and Administration Director, and Programme Manager to develop and maintain a functional organisational structure in the landscape.
• Serve as an active member of the WCS Cameroon Senior Management Team, contributing to overall organisational strategy and decision-making. Particpate in weekly senior management meetings, providing updates on landscape activities, challenges, and opportunities.

Representation and stakeholder relationships

• Frequently engage with government and local partners, maintain strong partnerships with key institutions in the landscape and engage with traditional authorities and community representatives to create awareness to promote wildlife conservation, sustainable natural resource management and conflict resolution
• Work with the Country Director, Finance and Administration Director, and Programme Manager to ensure donors are consulted and kept informed on developments and progress in the landscape.

Strategic planning and programme development

• Work closely with the Country Director, Programme Manager, and Deputy Landscape Director to review the strategic approach used in the landscape and prepare the landscape for future fundraising opportunities.
• Contribute to the drafting of proposals for the development of projects in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape
• Work in collaboration with the WCS Cameroon Country Director, WCS Chad Country Representative and the Sudano-Sahel Regional team to improve WCS intervention strategies, advise on development priorities and plan innovative and sustainable activities.

Programme oversight and operations

• Oversee the coordination and management of projects in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape portfolio.
• Work with the Deputy Landscape Director and staff to ensure the development of work plans, reports, budgets, procurement plans and other project outputs for effective implementation of activities
• Work with the Logistics Director to oversee efficient planning and quick execution of all field operations to support conservation activities, avoid interruptions; and ensure procurement policies and financial-administrative procedures follow internal and donor requirements.
• Work with the Finance and Administration Director, Programme Manager, Landscape Finance Manager, and technical department heads to ensure high-quality and timely financial and technical planning and delivery of projects is guaranteed and donor requirements are met.
• Oversee the work of the anti-poaching, community conservation, biomonitoring, aviation, logistics, and communications departments and ensure departments plan, coordinate, budget, and report in line with WCS and donor requirements.

Security and safeguards

• Ensure the highest standards of safety and security are introduced and maintained for all WCS staff, partners and associates in the field in adherance with WCS Code of Conduct.
• Ensure the highest human rights standards are respected and promoted by all staff members and partners in adherance with WCS Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

• Strong programme and project management skills based on at least  5 years’ experience in a relevant role
• Good understanding of conservation opportunities and challenges within the Sudano-Sahel region
• Master’s degree (or higher) in conservation, natural resource management or any other field relevant to conservation in Africa
• Experience of working on complex multi-disciplinary conservation projects, preferably in the field (experience in the Sudan-Sahel region would be an advantage)
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams and managing several major activities simultaneously, proven ability to achieve the targets and objectives of several projects/strategies.
• Experience in managing large international project portfolios funded by various donors with several project partners
• Solid experience in technical, logistical and financial project management (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation)
• Strong commitment to promoting gender equality and creating an inclusive work environment
• Excellent open and effective communication skills, in French and English (verbal and written).
• Proven team management and leadership skills
• Ability and willingness to live and work in a multicultural environment in remote areas, under difficult field conditions

Application process

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply at this link.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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.