Job offer: Manager, Policy & Partnerships, Africa – WWF

• Title: Manager, Policy & Partnerships, Africa – WWF International
• Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
• Reference No: 189
• Date: 19 May 2025

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is currently recruiting for the needs of its services 01 Manager, Policy & Partnerships, Africa in Cameroon.

Are you driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference for both people and our planet? WWF offers a unique opportunity to contribute to global conservation efforts at a critical time in history.

Around the world, communities are experiencing the growing toll of climate change and biodiversity loss. These twin crises are escalating beyond prior forecasts, putting billions at risk and jeopardizing lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we recognize this as both the most pressing challenge and the greatest opportunity of our time—to shape a better future for nature and humanity.

With more than six decades of global conservation leadership and active operations in over 100 countries, WWF drives change through both grassroots initiatives and global policy advocacy. Our work ranges from safeguarding species and ecosystems to influencing markets and policies towards sustainability.

Who We Are

WWF is an independent, global conservation organization focused on sustaining the natural world for the benefit of people and ecosystems. We collaborate with a broad spectrum of actors—from individuals and communities to businesses and policymakers—to champion bold, science-based action for nature and climate. Our mission is to catalyze systemic changes in the way food and energy are produced and consumed, and to help reform financial systems to serve sustainability goals.

Our global team brings together a wide array of expertise, including environmental science, policy, advocacy, human resources, and finance. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds who are passionate about making a tangible conservation impact and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Our Approach

We believe that lasting conservation outcomes are only possible when they are inclusive and locally rooted. This means actively addressing the barriers that prevent certain communities from fully engaging in conservation efforts. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are essential partners and should be central to any strategy addressing climate and biodiversity challenges. WWF is committed to leveraging its resources and global platform to support and elevate these communities in co-creating the most effective, locally led solutions.

Humanity still has a chance — a clear path exists to resolve this crisis. At WWF, we invite everyone to be part of a global movement to rethink how we live and take immediate action.

1. Departmental Mission

The Policy & Partnerships Department leads WWF’s conservation agenda in Africa. It is responsible for defining and coordinating a regional conservation strategy aligned with WWF’s global conservation goals. The department monitors progress, assesses impact, and adjusts approaches as necessary. It also builds and strengthens strategic relationships with key institutional partners to shape policy decisions that support both regional and national strategies. A key objective is to enhance the capacity of WWF Africa Offices to work more cohesively and effectively, enabling impactful conservation at scale.

2. Position Overview

The Manager, Policy & Partnerships, Africa plays a pivotal role in implementing the African Conservation Framework. This position sits within WWF Africa’s Policy & Partnerships unit and engages with national, regional, and global policy processes relevant to WWF’s work. It is essential that the role be based in the Congo Basin region and that it actively contributes to the execution of the Congo Basin Conservation Strategic Framework, including its associated policy and advocacy components.

In collaboration with governments and regional institutions across the Congo Basin, the Manager also strengthens WWF’s engagement with continental bodies such as the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and regional economic communities. Acting as the regional focal point, the Manager ensures that WWF Country Offices are effectively aligned and engaged across key policy platforms, helping drive conservation impact—particularly within the Congo Basin.

The position requires strong leadership, in-depth policy expertise, and the ability to influence international agendas. It is integral to expanding WWF’s conservation outcomes and enhancing the visibility, credibility, and influence of WWF in the region.

3. Key Responsibilities

Institutional Partnerships

• Prioritize and align WWF’s institutional partnerships and policy interventions with the Global Practices, the African Conservation Framework, country-level strategies, and Roadmap 2030.

• Serve as WWF’s lead liaison with regional institutions such as ECCAS, COMIFAC, and BDEAC, and support engagement with pan-African entities like the African Union Commission, African Development Bank, and UNECA.

• Ensure strategic partnerships in the Congo Basin are guided by:

  1. Clearly defined areas of mutual interest;

  2. Joint work plans with measurable and realistic conservation goals;

  3. Sufficient capacity and resources to support and advance these partnerships.

• Cultivate networks with government and private sector actors to scale up WWF’s conservation influence and reach.

Policy and Advocacy

• Lead the development of policy positions and coordinate WWF Africa’s contributions to broader WWF Network policy stances, especially those relevant to the Congo Basin.

• Oversee WWF’s participation in relevant national and regional policy forums, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNFCCC, CITES, AMCEN, the SDGs, and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

• Facilitate the creation of Africa-wide policy positions that reflect regional insights, particularly from the Congo Basin, using inclusive and participatory methods.

• Provide WWF input into major global and regional policy dialogues, such as those involving the African Union Commission and FOCAC.

• Manage advocacy tools and systems, including contact databases, calendars of key events, and policy communication platforms.

Support to Country Offices

• Lead policy advisory input into the formulation and review of WWF Country Office strategic plans, ensuring alignment with both global policy objectives and regional realities.

• Build capacity within Congo Basin Country Offices on policy engagement, advocacy strategies, and partnership development.

• Support the development of integrated, actionable policy and partnership strategies across offices that align with the African Conservation Framework, Roadmap 2030, and Global Impact Goals.

• Facilitate coordinated engagement with regional and international institutions by Country Offices and transboundary programmes in the Congo Basin.

• Assist Country Offices in navigating national policy landscapes and fostering constructive relationships with governmental ministries and agencies.

• Work closely with country leadership to ensure that policy and partnership planning aligns with broader operational and staffing plans.

• Actively participate in WWF’s Practice Communities and collaborate with Practice Leads on thematic priorities.

• Help build advocacy teams with the necessary technical expertise, seniority, and geographic representation to effectively deliver multilateral policy outcomes.

Other Duties

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Policy & Partnerships, Africa.

4. Candidate Profile

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced university degree (or equivalent experience) in relevant fields such as development studies, international relations, political science, economics, public policy, social sciences, environmental law, or related disciplines.

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in policy development, institutional engagement, or high-level advocacy within international and regional contexts.

• Demonstrated experience working with large-scale programmes, international organisations, and development aid frameworks.

• Strong grasp of geopolitical dynamics, regional trends, and intergovernmental relations affecting Africa.

• Proven ability to engage effectively with key Pan-African and regional institutions, including the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), NEPAD, AMCEN, AMCOW, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with diplomatic acumen and the ability to make informed decisions under pressure.

• Deep understanding of conservation and sustainable development challenges in Africa.

• Well-versed in Africa’s policy landscape and key multilateral environmental and development processes.

• Strong advocacy, lobbying, and negotiation skills.

• High level of personal commitment to conservation and sustainable development goals.

• Alignment with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

• Previous experience with WWF on policy and advocacy matters is a strong advantage.

• Ability to collaborate across functional teams and tap into diverse technical expertise to maximize conservation opportunities.

Leadership and Communication:

• Demonstrated leadership and team management abilities with strong accountability.

• Experience operating within matrixed or network-based organisational structures; capable of leading through influence rather than formal authority.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, especially with senior management and technical colleagues across multiple geographies and disciplines.

• Fluency in both French and English (spoken and written) is essential.

5. Working Relationships

Internal:

• Collaborates closely with the Directors of Conservation Impact (Africa and the Congo Basin), the Regional Director for the Congo Basin, the Head of Policy & Partnerships (Africa), Africa regional teams, Country Office leadership, Practice leads, and colleagues from WWF International and the broader WWF Network.

• Maintains strategic coordination with Africa Regional Programmes and Institutional Partnership Focal Points across the Network.

External:

• Engages with key institutional partners, government agencies, development partners, donors, regional economic communities, and other relevant stakeholders.

6. Application Process

To apply, please upload the following documents in English:

• A cover letter detailing your motivation and qualifications.

• A comprehensive CV.

Application Deadline: 8 June 2025

Please note: This is a fixed-term position for two years, with the possibility of extension. Employment is subject to local work permit regulations.

We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy before the stated deadline should a suitable candidate be identified.

WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer

WWF is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and supported. We believe that embracing diversity enhances our ability to fulfill our mission to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and promote a future where people live in harmony with nature. We welcome applications from candidates of

6 HOW TO APPLY

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