Job advert: Central Africa Wildlife Crime Hub Coordinator

Qualifications and Expertise Needed

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in anti-poaching efforts and policy advocacy at national, regional, and international levels, with a focus on high-level political negotiations. Experience in the Central African region is highly preferred.
• A master’s degree in wildlife management, or a bachelor’s degree combined with a Diploma in environmental crime or environmental law.
• Proven track record in executing anti-poaching strategies on the ground and achieving significant policy outcomes at higher levels.
• In-depth understanding of law enforcement practices related to anti-poaching, wildlife crime, and the policy landscape in Central Africa.
• Extensive background in nature conservation, with a thorough knowledge of biodiversity policy trends and how effective law enforcement can contribute to reducing the poaching of critically endangered species.

Departmental Mission

This role provides expert guidance to the WWF Biodiversity Practice (BP), specifically supporting Outcome 2: “Overexploitation Prevented”, which is carried out through the Wildlife Crime Area of Collective Action and Innovation (ACAI). The overarching goal of the Biodiversity Practice is to ensure that the world’s most iconic and endangered species are safeguarded and thriving in their natural habitats.

The position plays a crucial role in collaborating with the WWF Wildlife Crime ACAI and will lead the Wildlife Crime Hub in the Congo Basin. This is a joint initiative between WWF and TRAFFIC aimed at achieving key outcomes for biodiversity preservation in Central Africa.

By combining field-based conservation efforts with strategic policy advocacy, the position contributes to the WWF’s broader mission of combatting wildlife crime and ensuring the sustainable management of biodiversity.

Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be responsible for leading and executing the following key areas:

A. Coordination, Policy, Advocacy, and Partnerships

• Ensure alignment and synergy with other Regional Hubs, TRAFFIC, and the WWF Network, including teams such as the Biodiversity Practice Core Team, Ethical Law Enforcement, and the WC ACAI Coordinator.
• Establish strategic partnerships with both national and international organizations. Coordinate regional policy and advocacy efforts (e.g., CITES and UNCAC) to support wildlife protection initiatives.
• Spearhead the rollout of the Zero-Poaching Framework in Central Africa, collaborating with government and NGO partners to promote its regional adoption.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing at national, regional, and international levels to accelerate the implementation of proven conservation approaches, methodologies, and tools.

B. Field-Based Enforcement

• Lead the development and implementation of anti-poaching strategies under the Zero Poaching framework in Central Africa. Promote the national adoption of tested tools and technologies.
• Oversee community-based crime prevention recommendations, coordinating with stakeholders like INTERPOL for law enforcement monitoring (LEM) activities across priority landscapes.
• Supervise anti-poaching and ethical law enforcement efforts in transboundary areas, focusing on key zones such as TNS, TRIDOM, and Lac Tumba/Mai Ndombe.

C. Ranger Welfare

• Promote high-quality ranger training in Central Africa by collaborating with globally recognized institutions and leveraging best-practice training materials.
• Represent WWF Central Africa in international forums like IRF and GRAA, advocating for improved conditions and professional development for rangers.

D. Intelligence-Led Enforcement

• Support the development and implementation of WWF’s operational guidelines for ethical law enforcement.
• Provide legal expertise for judicial follow-up on wildlife crime cases and assist in investigations related to ranger conduct and human rights allegations.
• Promote intelligence-driven enforcement efforts in Central Africa’s priority landscapes, in collaboration with TRAFFIC.
• Oversee the integration of SMART and i2 databases to enhance proactive law enforcement in critical areas.

E. Program Development & Monitoring

• Provide technical expertise to WWF and TRAFFIC for fundraising initiatives aimed at wildlife crime projects.
• Manage the monitoring and evaluation of Zero Poaching activities, ensuring measurable impact and progress.
• Facilitate capacity building on new technologies and enhance the visibility of the Hub’s activities through effective internal and external communication.

F. Monitoring, Evaluation (M&E), Data Analysis, and Reporting

• Collaborate with TRAFFIC focal points to standardize planning and monitoring frameworks that enable clear coordination and documentation of WWF/TRAFFIC activities across Central Africa.
• Consolidate and submit annual performance data to relevant WWF and TRAFFIC stakeholders to report on achievements and progress.
• Ensure the implementation of ethical law enforcement tools, such as the Due Diligence tool, to mitigate risks from law enforcement practices.

G. Fundraising

• Lead and coordinate fundraising efforts at both regional and national levels to support WWF and TRAFFIC’s wildlife crime projects.
• Assist country offices in identifying potential donor agencies and funding opportunities in the wildlife crime sector.

H. Capacity Building

• Identify and facilitate capacity-building initiatives focused on new technologies and approaches relevant to combating poaching, wildlife trafficking, and improving ranger conduct.

I. Communication

• Collaborate with the TRAFFIC focal point to ensure the visibility of the Hub’s activities.
• Identify key communication messages and target audiences based on the Hub’s work and ensure their integration into WWF’s broader communication strategy.
• Provide regular updates from the field to WWF’s communication team for use in social media and other communication platforms.