Principal Technical Advisor DSPA

The World Wide Fund for Nature  seeks a  Principal Technical Advisor DSPA in CAR

The Wolrd Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the largest independent conservation organizations in the world. We are an international NGO committed to environmental protection active in almost 100 countries and have been working in the Congo Basin since 1978.

The Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas complex (DSPA) is a 4,450 km2 area, comprising the Dzanga Sangha Dense Forest Special Reserve with its various community use and other zones, and the Dzanga Ndoki National Park. This area is home to spectacular large mammals such as forest elephants, lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, bongo, buffalo, sitatunga, giant forest hogs and as well as a large variety of monkeys and duikers. The area is also home to exceptional diversity in other taxa. 

 

WWF is supporting the Government of CAR to manage DSPA both to conserve its exceptional biodiversity and to promote the sustainable management of natural resources for the well-being of nearby human populations.

 

The DSPA administration and WWF take a multi-disciplinary approach to management of this important area, including developing and managing infrastructure, human and financial resources; conservation through surveillance and anti-poaching activities; income generation via tourism through a primate habituation programme focused on lowland gorillas as well as other tourism activities; and sustainable rural development to take pressure off natural resources and sustain livelihoods.

 

DSPA is part of the recently inscribed Sangha Tri-National (TNS) World Heritage Site. The TNS is made up of three national parks (Dzanga Ndoki in CAR, Lobeke in Cameroon and Nouabale Ndoki in the Republic of Congo) and their buffer zones. The protected area managers and their key partners work together to manage the TNS.

 

The conservation department’s mission is to ensure the protection and conservation of DSPA’s biodiversity. It is responsible for managing the 40 eco-guards, and the conservation trackers and porters and implementing anti-poaching and law enforcement activities. The department also contributes to planning and implementing trans-boundary anti-poaching patrols and contributes to the operations of the TNS anti-poaching brigade.

 

The WWF team based in Bayanga providing support to the DSPA consists of a Principal Technical Advisor (this position), a Technical Advisor for Conservation, a Primate Habituation, Research and Tourism Advisor, a Community Development Technical Advisor as well as different support staff for logistics, finances and administration; WWF also has a national office in Bangui.

 

The mission of the Department and this position is to ensure overall achievement of the programme objectives.

 

WWF-CAR seeks a Principal Technical Advisor whose major function will be the overall implementation and supervision of WWF field programme in support to the CAR Government for the management of the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas (DSPA), consisting of the Dzanga-Sangha Special Dense Forest Reserve and Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and their broader landscape, in its aim to maintain the biodiversity of the south-western forests of the CAR

Location: The position will be based in Bayanga, CAR.

Duration: 2 years renewable

Main responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Country Coordinator, the Principal Technical Advisor’s main responsibilities are to:

1.     Ensure full coordination with DSPA and CAR administration:

•          Provide technical assistance to the DSPA National Director (ND – Expert National) designated by the CAR Government as the person responsible for the management of DSPA, the DSPA Park Warden (Conservateur), other DSPA personnel and DSPA partners, to ensure integrated and effective management of all DSPA components in accordance with DSPA management plan, including the development and implementation of annual work plans and budget;

•           Provide technical assistance to the CAR Government in the management of all funds allocated to DSPA, in particular funds from the Sangha Tri-National Trust Fund;

 

2.     Sound programme implementation and development

•           Promote conservation, ecotourism and specifically gorilla viewing based tourism, co-management instruments involving local stakeholders, and local development related to sustainable management of natural resources;

•          Lead programme development for DSPA and contribute to the development and implementation of a strategy securing long term funds for DSPA, in collaboration with WWF in the region and beyond, and the Sangha Tri-National Trust Fund;

•            Participate in landscape planning and follow-up implementation for the trans-boundary Sangha Tri-National Landscape (TNS), of which DSPA is part, and, in particular, contribute to fulfilment by TNS of its obligations as a World Heritage Site, in close collaboration with TNS partners;

 

3.     Support WWF team and coordination with WWF Network

•            Provide guidance and supervision to other WWF Technical Assistants and WWF staff in DSPA to contribute to effective WWF support to conservation, ecotourism, development and research activities in DSPA and ensure that sound practices orient WWF support to the CAR Government;

•           Take primary responsibility for the preparation and administrative and financial management of budgets under WWF direct administration. Systematically review the status of project budgets and ensure that annual budget targets are met;

•           Following established WWF guidelines, ensure that appropriate administrative and accounting policies and systems are implemented. As necessary, evaluate financial and administrative operations and propose systems for improved effectiveness and efficiency;
 

What you need:

Required Qualifications

•       A minimum MSc in conservation, environmental management or any related field;

•       A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in working in conservation or development organizations, especially in a similar biome;

•      Demonstrated knowledge of management principles applying to multi-disciplinary and multi-donor programmes

 

Required skills and competencies

•       Strong managerial and administrative skills and excellent organizational skills;

•     Familiarity with WWF and donor funding agencies is an added advantage;

•       Strong communication skills, particularly in writing reports and proposals for donor agencies in both French and English;

•        Fluency in French and English;

•      Ability to live and work in a remote place;

•       Adhere to WWF’s values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.

 

 

Please consult the attached job description for more information on the position.

 

How to apply?

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to send a cover letter and a detailed CV to the addressrecruitcarpo@wwfcarpo.org

The subject should read PTA.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow up. If you have not been contacted six (6) weeks after closing, consider your application unsuccessful.

Deadline for applications:9 April 2014.

 

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce