Recruitment at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) – Recruitment Notice

About the Organization

Founded in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and natural ecosystems worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. Since 1988, WCS has been active in Cameroon, working closely with the government to establish several protected areas, train conservation professionals, and promote the sustainable management of natural resources. Today, the WCS Cameroon Program focuses its conservation efforts on three priority landscapes: the Takamanda-Mone Landscape, the Mbam & Djerem Landscape, and the Bouba Ndjidda – Bénoué (BNB) Landscape in Northern Cameroon.

Position: North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape Director

Job Purpose

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Landscape Director to provide vision, leadership, and guidance to a large multidisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of measurable conservation outcomes and tangible community benefits. The Landscape Director will oversee the strategic planning, implementation, coordination, and administrative as well as financial management of activities within the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape. The role requires strong leadership and organizational skills, coupled with diplomacy and the ability to foster collaboration with government institutions, traditional authorities, and partner organizations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic leadership and direct management of a team of approximately 200 staff across Cameroon and Chad, ensuring strong guidance, motivation, and cohesion.
• Inspire and empower team members by fostering a culture of collaboration and shared commitment to conservation outcomes.
• Promote diversity, gender balance, and inclusivity across the workforce.
• Collaborate with the Country Director, HR Manager, Finance and Administration Director, and Programme Manager to establish and maintain an effective organizational structure within the landscape.
• Serve as an integral member of the WCS Cameroon Senior Management Team, actively contributing to organizational strategy, weekly leadership meetings, and decision-making processes by providing updates on progress, challenges, and opportunities.

2. Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government institutions, local partners, traditional authorities, and community representatives to raise awareness and promote wildlife conservation, sustainable resource management, and conflict resolution.
• Work closely with the Country Director, Finance and Administration Director, and Programme Manager to ensure regular communication and reporting to donors, keeping them informed of progress, challenges, and emerging opportunities.

3. Strategic Planning and Programme Development

• Partner with the Country Director, Programme Manager, and Deputy Landscape Director to review and refine strategic approaches for the landscape and to position projects for future fundraising opportunities.
• Contribute to proposal development and project design for the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape.
• Collaborate with the WCS Cameroon Country Director, the WCS Chad Country Representative, and the Sudano-Sahel Regional team to enhance intervention strategies, guide development priorities, and design innovative, sustainable initiatives.

4. Programme Oversight and Operations

• Supervise the planning, coordination, and implementation of all projects within the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape.
• Ensure timely development of work plans, budgets, procurement schedules, reports, and other project deliverables in collaboration with the Deputy Landscape Director and technical staff.
• Work with the Logistics Director to guarantee efficient field operations, uninterrupted conservation activities, and full compliance with procurement, financial, and administrative procedures.
• Partner with the Finance and Administration Director, Programme Manager, Landscape Finance Manager, and technical leads to ensure the highest standards of financial and technical reporting and full adherence to donor requirements.
• Oversee the operations of anti-poaching, community conservation, biomonitoring, aviation, logistics, and communications units, ensuring effective planning, coordination, budgeting, and reporting in alignment with WCS and donor standards.

5. Security and Safeguards

• Ensure rigorous safety and security protocols are implemented and maintained for all WCS staff, partners, and associates in accordance with the WCS Code of Conduct.
• Uphold and promote the highest standards of human rights compliance across all staff, partners, and program activities, ensuring strict adherence to WCS Code of Conduct principles.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in programme and project management within conservation or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of conservation opportunities and challenges in the Sudano-Sahel region.
• Advanced academic background: Master’s degree or higher in conservation, natural resource management, or another discipline relevant to conservation in Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary conservation initiatives, ideally with substantial field-based work (direct experience in the Sudan-Sahel region is highly desirable).
• Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural, interdisciplinary teams, managing multiple priorities simultaneously while delivering on diverse project goals and strategies.
• Solid track record of managing large international project portfolios funded by multiple donors and involving numerous partners.
• Hands-on experience in technical, logistical, and financial project management, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Strong commitment to advancing gender equity and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and French.
• Demonstrated team management and leadership abilities with the capacity to inspire and guide diverse staff.
• Willingness and ability to live and work in remote, multicultural settings, often under challenging field conditions.

Application Process

Qualified candidates who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply through the link provided below. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seek individuals who share these values to join our team.

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