West Africa Project Consultant (Bilingual French/English)

Born Free USA, an international wildlife conservation and animal protection non-profit organization, seeks a West Africa Project Consultant to provide support for its work to combat wildlife trafficking and end exploitation of wildlife in West Africa. This is an exciting opportunity for a bilingual (French/English) individual experienced in delivering logistical and technical project support, especially in the organization of workshops. This is a two-year remote independent contractor position to support implementation of a federally funded grant project.

Project Background

In West Africa, wildlife crime is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, resulting in catastrophic and irreversible damage to ecosystems and the critical services that these ecosystems supply to communities and economies across the region. Having a negative impact on national economies, wildlife crime jeopardizes the security and livelihoods of communities and undermines good governance and the rule of law. Wildlife crime is also a key anthropogenic driver for the emergence of zoonoses, whereby illegally exploited wild fauna and flora are brought into close proximity with people.

The West Africa Strategy on Combating Wildlife Crime (WASCWC) has been validated by Environment Ministers and will soon be adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with its 15 member States. To support the implementation of the WASCWC, Born Free USA is working with authorities across 13 West African countries to enhance law enforcement capacity through training workshops and strategic enforcement support. The overarching goal of this project is to reduce wildlife crime in West Africa, benefitting communities, biodiversity, security and economies across the region.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct background research on issues relating to wildlife crime, including analysis of wildlife crime data, and contribute to the development of substantive reports.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for workshops in West Africa or virtually.
• Contribute to the implementation of a variety of approved project activities, including developing National Wildlife Crime Strategies, developing resources for intelligence data collection, raising awareness about enforcement activities, and preparing technical reports;
• French/English translation of technical reports, emails, and other documents.
• French/English interpretation during meetings and project visits.
• Source and organize professional interpreters for workshops and other meetings.
• Maintaining checklists and databases.
• Liaising with stakeholders, including government authorities and non-governmental organizations.
• Providing support in the development and submission of grant reports.
• Providing basic accounting support (developing and checking budgets, reviewing receipts, developing financial reports).
• Developing blog posts related to Africa projects and policy work.
• Any other support required by the Africa Policy and Capacity Building Director.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bilingual in French/English. Proficiency in both languages equivalent to that of native speakers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English to the degree of high-level technical writing, translations, and interpretation.
• Advanced degree in natural sciences or environmental policy strongly preferred;
• At least 3 years of professional experience working either on environmental projects or within a policy and advocacy role.
• Strong data collection and analytical skills. Ability to synthesize data into coherent reports.
• Experience proof-reading and editing technical reports.
• Experience providing logistical and administrative support for workshops and meetings.
• Excellent drafting and editing skills. Ability to draft or edit technical reports, grant reports, press releases, speeches, interventions and letters for officials, power point presentations, training manuals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Designing skills a plus.

The successful candidate will have the following attributes:

- Ability to complete tasks independently, on time, and at a high level of accuracy.

- Willingness to work under pressure to tight deadlines.

- Ability to communicate effectively, and professionally with a wide range of people and personalities.

- Collaborative spirit and willing to take initiative.

- Keen sense of diplomacy.

- Respect for and understanding of cultural differences. A global perspective.

- Professional demeanour.

- Alignment with and ability to represent Born Free USA’s values and ethics.

This position requires collaboration with partners in various time zones. Primary working hours will be Central European / West Africa Time (GMT +1). Candidates must be willing to be flexible and accommodating with other hours when needed. Occasional evenings and weekends will be required.

Travel to or within West Africa (dependent on COVID-related restrictions or other safety/travel concerns) may be required.

We welcome international applications.

Compensation & Terms

• Contractual rate is $42/hour. The rate is non-negotiable; it is based on the terms of the grant award.
• The contract will run for approximately 24 months depending on start date.
• Total compensation over the grant period is capped at $144,000 (USD).
• This is a full-time commitment. Hours per month will vary according to the needs of the project.
• This is an independent contractor relationship. No benefits are offered.

About Born Free USA

Born Free USA’s vision is a co-existent future in which humans no longer exploit wild animals. We work to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect and are able to live their lives according to their needs.

We promote Compassionate Conservation to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats while respecting the needs and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. We seek to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world.

Inspired by their experience filming the iconic movie Born Free, Virginia McKenna and her late husband Bill Travers, along with their son, Will, founded The Born Free Foundation (UK) in 1984. Born Free USA was launched in 2002, brining their Compassionate Conservation movement, aimed at keeping wildlife in the wild, to the American public. In 2007, Born Free USA merged with the Animal Protection Institute, and assumed management of the largest primate sanctuary in the United States.

Born Free USA values diversity and aims to create an equitable and inclusive environment for employees, contractors, vendors, partners and all associated with the organization and our work.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter and CV to Alice Stroud at alice@bornfreeusa.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through September 10, 2022 or until the position is filled.