Deputy Country Manager, Cameroon (Full-Time / Permanent)

About us:

ZSL’s Cameroon Programme was established in 2007 and now encompasses a diverse portfolio of projects to address existing and emerging threats to biodiversity including support to protected area management, private sector partnerships to reduce impacts on biodiversity and combatting wildlife crime. Based out of Yaoundé, the programme currently has field sites in the south east of Cameroon and at Lake Ossa, close to Douala.

Overview of the Role:

ZSL are seeking a Deputy Country Manager with extensive and relevant management and/or technical experience, to assist the Country Manager in leading the delivery and development of this exciting and rapidly expanding country programme. The post holder will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of a suite of projects, leading on technical and scientific oversight and working closely with the Country Manager to ensure a continuity of delivery of high quality outputs with significant conservation impacts. Main responsibilities will include:

• Support to the Country Manager for the implementation of a ZSL Cameroon Strategic Plan through the effective implementation of existing projects and the development of new projects.

• A significant role in project design, implementation, management and monitoring and evaluation within the country.
• Ensure the scientific and technical rigour of project design and implementation.
• Assist with maintaining and nurture existing, and develop new, relationships and partnerships with relevant actors in the country, including government authorities, donor agencies, national and international NGOs, private sector and research institutions.
• Identify fundraising opportunities and secure funds for the programme, including the preparation of fundraising proposals.
• Lead on the programme’s technical and financial reporting internally and to donors, partners and other external audiences.

Person Specification:

This is a senior management level position which requires proven experience of managing projects, teams of people and associated resources, ideally in developing countries. The successful applicant should also have proven experience in applying robust conservation science methods when designing and implementing projects. The successful applicant will have experience of securing and managing donor funds and experience of developing and managing relationships with partners and donors. Candidates should also have:

• An excellent standard of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate in French is essential.
• A higher degree in a relevant subject or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in the design, planning, implementation and management of conservation and/or research projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of current international and ideally Africa specific biodiversity conservation issues.
• Skills in GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS), statistical programmes and experience in the use of the SMART software or other patrol based monitoring support software such as MIST or cybertracker would be desirable.
• Proficient understanding of aspects of ecology, social science or other relevant conservation science discipline and applying these methods to ensure scientific/technical rigor of programme activities.
• Excellent writing skills, including technical and financial reports, scientific papers and proposals.
• Proven experience in managing budgets and grants.

Please note: The post will be based in Yaoundé with national travel to attend meetings and workshops and to visit field sites in Cameroon. Some travel within Central Africa may also be required. The position is to start as soon as possible.  A full job description is available from https://www.zsl.org/deputy-country-manager-cameroon-full-time-permanent

To Apply:

Applicants should send their completed ZSL Application Form and Equality of Opportunity Monitoring Form, by email to hr@zsl.org. Please include the job title in the subject header of your email. We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview.

Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 23^rd August 2015                                   

Anticipated Interview Date: W/c – 31^st August 2015

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.