Forestry Project Manager, Cameroon (Full-Time / Permanent)

About us:

Recognising the importance of the tropical timber sector to biodiversity conservation in the Congo basin, the Zoological Society of London commenced working with the forestry sector in Cameroon in 2007, establishing partnerships with timber companies and working with them to improve wildlife protection in timber production forests. The project has developed, tested and implemented approaches to help companies reduce the impact of logging operations on wildlife, control illegal activities, carry out effective monitoring and thereby meet their obligations under national legal and certification standards whilst also providing them with the skills to carry these out. Under this next phase of the project we are seeking to continue our existing activities, build on project achievements and expand the scope of our work to ensure that timber production forests contribute to biodiversity conservation.

Overview of the Role:

ZSL Cameroon are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery and development of this ongoing project. The Project Manager will be responsible for implementing existing activities and expanding the scope of our work through strengthening of existing partnerships, exploring and developing new relationships within the sector, engaging at the policy level and building relationships with training/education institutions. Main responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring the successful implementation of all project activities and that project outputs are delivered to a high quality and in a timely manner.
• The management of in-country project staff including any consultants, students or staff from partner organisations affiliated with the project.
• Managing all project related grants to ensure adherence to grant commitments; ensuring that all activities are carried out to budget and with regular, timely and accurate technical and financial reporting in accordance with ZSL/funder procedures.
• Maintaining and developing good relations with other relevant stakeholders including, amongst others; private sector partners, Cameroonian authorities, national and international industry/certification bodies, local and international NGOs, local communities and research institutions.
• Contributing to the strategic development of the project.
• Technical and financial reporting internally to ZSL and externally to donors and partners.

Person Specification:

This is a management position which requires previous project experience in planning, managing and implementing and reporting conservation projects (project, financial and personnel management). Candidates should also have:

• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken French and excellent spoken English
• An MSc/engineer degree in forestry, natural resource management or a related discipline and work experience in a relevant field.
• A practical knowledge and experience of logging operations and certification processes, as well as a strong interest and understanding in wildlife and tropical forest conservation issues.
• Skills in GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS) and experience in the use of the SMART software or other patrol based monitoring support software such as MIST or cybertracker would be desirable.
• Excellent writing skills, including technical and financial reports and proposals.
• Proven experience in managing budgets and grants.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries, preferably in Central Africa

Please note: The post will be based in Yaoundé with regular trips to field sites in the East region and potentially other sites in Cameroon. The position is to start as soon as possible.  A full job description is available from https://www.zsl.org/forestry-project-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.