Technical Advisor, Community Development

World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF, the global conservation organization, active in almost 100 countries, has been working in the Congo Basin in Central Africa for more than 20 years, with a focus on forest conservation through developing and managing protected areas, while promoting sustainable forestry practices and community conservation for the benefit of the populations.

Location: The position is based in Bayanga, Central African Republic.

Under the supervision of the WWF Principal Technical Advisor, Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic, the Technical Advisor, Community development's major duties and responsibilities are:

I. Major Functions:

The main roles of this position are: 1) to provide technical assistance, coordination, oversight and leadership to the community development activities of WWF-Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas; and, 2) to assist the WWF Principal Technical Advisor in delivering the broader goals of WWF, Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas and the TNS in line with WWF CARPO/GHoA conservation strategy and principles on indigenous peoples.

The Technical Advisor (TA) will serve as a mentor to the Head of Community Development (HCD). The TA's main function is to ensure a results-led implementation of development activities with conservation impacts, and to develop capacity by transferring his/her technical knowledge and experience to the national counterpart and other development programme staff.

II. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensures effectiveness of community development initiatives as a support to conservation objectives

• Works as counterpart and Technical Advisor (TA) to the national Head of Community Development (HCD). Provides technical support as needed to that position and other development staff. Works with the HCD to plan, manage, monitor and report all aspects of development activities.

• Oversees implementation and development of various CBNRM initiatives, including a platform for consultation and participation of local peoples; and works closely with the TA and PTA to foster the development-conservation link. Advises on development priorities and works with other senior staff to plan and implement activities related to health, education, etc.

• Promotes capacity building of local communities.

• Supervises, together with the HCD, all staff associated with development activities; participates in staff development and evaluation.

• Identifies training needs and develops proposals and budgets accordingly to ensure that community development staff receives appropriate training.

• Acts as coordinator (with the HCD) of all development activities within APDS and works to maintain strong communication between partners and collaborators working in this field; including coordinating technical input from project partners and consultants.

• Develops and maintains a working rapport with local communities with an emphasis on developing capacity and participation in management of APDS.

• Works with the PTA to ensure reporting as defined by project contracts/agreements and WWF Programme Management standards.

• Submits to the PTA and APDS National Director (ND), in collaboration with HCD, a quarterly report outlining development activities.

• Remains well informed of legislation, policies and procedures that could impact development activities, CBNRM, indigenous peoples, etc.

• Works to implement best practices / standards regarding governance / participation of local communities and indigenous peoples in natural resource management.

• Contributes to the formulation of Project policies.

• Ensures that development staff use equipment in line with WWF policies and procedures

• Contributes to the development of annual work plans, proposals and budgets for development activities on a quarterly basis or more frequently as necessary.

• Helps WWF-APDS direction ensure appropriate communication with all of its key target audiences including local communities and authorities, national government and partners, etc.

• Assists the PTA to ensure accountability of funds according to project planning and contractual obligations in collaboration with the F&A Manager.

III. Experience and Qualifications:

An advanced degree in social sciences and/or equivalent experience in working with local communities (especially indigenous groups) concerning community based natural resource management is required.

- 5 years work experience, preferably in central Africa;

- extensive working experience with local communities and participatory approaches;

- strong skills in project management (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);

- excellent organisational skills; strong communication skills; strong interpersonal skills;

- working experience in remote destinations;

- fluency in French and English.

IV. WWF's Mission and Values:

It is part of every staff member's terms of reference to contribute to WWF's mission.

WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

- conserving the world's biological diversity

- ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable

- promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

It is also part of every staff member's terms of reference to embody WWF's values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & Inspiring, Credible & Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send a cover letter and a detailed CV to the address recruitcarpo@wwf.panda.org by February 28, 2012 at the latest. The subject should read 005TACD. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.