Regional Director - Central Africa

BACKGROUND

The Regional Director – TRAFFIC Central Africa is based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where the Central Africa regional office is legally hosted by IUCN. The Regional Director supervises staff based in Yaoundé, as well as additional out-posted consultants in other countries. The Regional Director is supervised by the Senior Programme Director for Africa and Europe at TRAFFIC International.
In the TRAFFIC context, the Central African region encompasses all states that are current members of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC), notably Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda and São Tomé and Príncipe.

TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. We actively monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is an international network, organised into eight regional programmes including Central Africa.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Directs, leads and co-ordinates the development and implementation of the Central African component of TRAFFIC’s global conservation programme. 
• Managing the implementation of the regional work programme including activities in the areas of research, policy development, advocacy, communications and capacity building and effective administration of an annual budget of approximately EUR 300k.
• Managing and leading the regional team, including an emphasis on continued development of capacity within the Central African regional team, and working with senior TRAFFIC colleagues to enable a high level of effective collaboration. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Represents the Central African regional team in development and management of TRAFFIC’s global conservation programme
• Collaborates with senior colleagues within the TRAFFIC network in developing and marketing projects necessary to deliver the TRAFFIC global conservation programme as components of a work programme addressing wildlife trade issues in the region, including development of funding proposals and budgeting and scheduling of planned activities
• Oversees management of implementation of project activities in the region developed under the TRAFFIC global programme, ensuring that the regional team delivers project results effectively, efficiently and to expected TRAFFIC quality standards
• Represents TRAFFIC in the region and maintains links and good working relationships with WWF, IUCN, governmental and intergovernmental agencies in Central Africa (or elsewhere with a focus on Central Africa), major donors and relevant NGOs
• Liaises with the TRAFFIC network, relevant WWF and IUCN programmes and the regional offices in Central Africa about events, developments and activities related to wildlife trade and utilisation.
• Ensures effective public and policy communication and interacts in this respect with the media, government and non-government agencies, and with funding bodies and donor agencies
• Ensures that TRAFFIC has the institutional capacity to deliver its programme in the Central Africa region, including the development and oversight of any sub-regional and project offices 
• Manages and supervises the TRAFFIC staff and consultants in the region and manages personnel issues including performance and staff development
• Manages the operating budget of TRAFFIC Central Africa and ensures effective administration and accounting of funds and the accurate and timely reporting of consolidated and project-related financial statements and accounts
• Ensures compliance with the terms of hosting agreements for the TRAFFIC office in Cameroon, in close liaison with the IUCN Regional Programme for Central and West Africa (PACO), and with potential further host organisations in the region
• Ensures preparation and submission of technical reports on activities and achievements (including six-month and annual activity reports) and project reports for funding agencies 
• Represents the TRAFFIC Network at regional and international meetings

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong skills in programme management, planning, and project implementation
• Excellent interpersonal, team management and leadership skills. The ability to work effectively as part of a small team, with respect for and sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches
• Broad international experience and familiarity with conservation and socio-economic issues of Central Africa, preferably with several years of working experience in more than one Central African country
• Project development and marketing experience, and strong financial management skills 
• Extensive professional work experience relevant to nature conservation, familiarity with major trends in biodiversity conservation policy, and issues relevant to the trade in wild animals and plants
• A good understanding of CITES, CBD and other multilateral environmental agreements, of nature conservation laws and regulations, of wildlife law enforcement, wildlife management and sustainable development issues, and of Central African policies regarding the conservation, use of and trade in biological resources
• A university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. biology, political science, law or economics)
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in both French and English, preferably a working ability in Spanish or Portuguese, or any Central African national language
• Good communications skills and experience of working with the media
• A willingness to travel widely and frequently and work under pressure
• Familiarity with standard word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software, and with electronic communication technology  

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 and brings together over 1,100 members (States, government agencies, NGOs and affiliates) and some 11,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN has approximately 1,100 staff, most of whom are located in its regional and country offices while some 150 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified women and men.