Senior Analyst

Reports to:                                          Country Program Director, Republic of Congo 

Location:                                              Ouesso, Republic of Congo Congo 

Country Program/Sector:             Republic of Congo/Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea Region 

Position Type:                                   Consultant 

Duration:                                             12 months 

Application deadline:                     30 June 2019 

Expected travel: Approximately 20%. As required within the Central Africa region, and to donor/technical meetings as needed/possible. 

Position overview 

WCS is looking for an experienced analyst to support a substantial multi-partner program on Combatting Wildlife Crime (CWT) in northern Republic of Congo.

WCS, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and African Parks Network (APN) are collaborating on an innovative approach in northern Republic of Congo that integrates international and local expertise from the wildlife conservation, criminal intelligence and judicial sectors. This strategic approach aims to strengthen local capacity in northern Congo to investigate, arrest, prosecute and convict wildlife criminals to the full extent of the law. By combining and coordinating efforts, initiatives to combat wildlife crime will be taken to the scale necessary with which to dismantle and disrupt transboundary wildlife trafficking networks operating in this region. The approach will serve as a model for scaling to neighboring countries in Central Africa.

The project was launched in October 2018, and at a local level has worked to strengthen the capabilities of protected area enforcement operations to coordinate and respond effectively to intelligence as well as enhancing the capacity of the justice system to prosecute, convict and uphold sentences of wildlife criminals.

The next phase of the project will focus on scaling efforts to dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and through regional coordination and strategic transboundary partnerships we will reduce the ability of criminal groups to profit from poaching and trafficking of protected animals and their body parts. 

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop regional intelligence analysis capability and the production of tactical intelligence reports in a timely manner to support and guide investigations by WCS/WWF/African Parks and government counterparts;
• Provide real-time intelligence analysis capability on a sometimes ad hoc basis for WCS and partner agencies during ongoing counter-trafficking projects
• Instruct and mentor a team of national analysts in the use of analytical tools and techniques in order to identify central wildlife trafficking syndicates and individuals and their associated gangs and front companies as well as their trafficking modus operandi, routes and means of transportation;
• Publish analytical products for WCS/WWF/African Parks leadership and provide informational briefings outlining findings and recommendations to guide WCS/WWF/African Parks strategies and interventions to combat wildlife trafficking;
• Oversee the deployment of the i2 Intelligence platform in the region, ensuring system security, support country deployments, dealing with service providers; and in collaboration with the WCS Office of Strategic Technology;
• Support the strategic development of, and the management of risks in relation to CWT technology services;
• Support WCS/WWF/African Parks programs to empower and build support in national government for CWT intelligence-led approaches;
• Provide inputs to assist fund-raising efforts for WCS’s programs on wildlife trafficking in Africa, identifying and enhancing support from existing and new sources, assisting in development of proposals and reports, building relationships with funders; and
• Summarize work efforts, meetings, project statuses, and accomplishments in the form of monthly activity reports. 

Required Qualifications

• Professional and/or academic experience in the processing and analysis of criminal and other intelligence and an interest in researching wildlife trafficking, transnational organized crimes, or serious crimes;
• A demonstrable appreciation of appropriate security protocols (both physical and technical) when processing and managing sensitive intelligence products.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, evaluate and analyze raw and processed information and intelligence, and a familiarity with link analysis process, and measuring centrality;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, in working out solutions to problems or questions related to the work, writing clear and concise intelligence products, and delivering written and verbal presentations
• Familiarity with analytic software and presentation tools such as iBase, Analyst Notebook, Maltego, SNAPD, Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe suite products. Knowledge of these programs shall extend beyond that of data entry.
• English language proficiency required and French language proficiency highly preferred

Application Process: 

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV and the names and contact information of three references to: wcscongobrazza@wcs.org by 30 June, 2019. Please include “Regional Analyst” in the subject line of your email. 

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are 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

WCS provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. WCS does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations 

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview. 

Organization Background:

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.