The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cameroon is currently seeking a Coordinator for the Congo Basin Forest Hub (re-advertisement).
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the future of humanity and our shared home, the Earth? Working with WWF could be the opportunity of a lifetime for you. All over the world, people are becoming increasingly aware of the escalating crisis of nature loss. They are realizing that nature is our life-sustaining system and that no one will be exempt from the consequences of its depletion. At WWF, we are dedicated to addressing this immense global challenge. Our team is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wide range of expertise, including HR, finance, advocacy, and conservation science. We encourage applications from individuals who believe they can contribute to creating a better future for both people and wildlife.
Our Mission:
As an independent conservation organization, our mission is to preserve the natural world for the benefit of both people and wildlife. We collaborate with individuals, communities, businesses, and governments, forming a growing alliance that urges world leaders to lead nature towards recovery by 2030. Together, we strive to safeguard and restore natural habitats, halt the mass extinction of wildlife, and promote sustainable methods of production and consumption.
For our operations in the Congo Basin, we are seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to fill the position of Congo Basin Forest Hub Coordinator.
- Position Title: Congo Basin Forest Hub Coordinator
- Position Title: Coordinator, Congo Basin Forest Hub
- Supervisor: Conservation Director, Congo Basin
- Secondary Supervisor: Host Country Director
- Locations: Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic
- Duration: Initially one (1) year with potential for extension
Department Mission:
WWF’s dedication to the preservation of Congo Basin forests dates back to its inception in the region. Our mission revolves around propelling the forest sector towards sustainability and transparency, combating deforestation, fostering forest restoration, and translating deforestation-free commitments into tangible actions.
The significance of Congo Basin forests on a global scale, concerning nature, climate, and communities, is increasingly acknowledged. However, deforestation rates in the region continue to escalate. This role aims to empower WWF in the Congo Basin to fortify its leadership in Central African forest conservation and expedite the achievement of Global Forest Practice Outcomes in the region.
Primary Responsibilities:
WWF seeks a proactive Coordinator for the Congo Basin Forest Hub, tasked with catalyzing, facilitating, and supporting the integration of global forest practices within the Congo Basin, while ensuring the realization of Global Forest Practice Outcomes. The incumbent will directly report to the Conservation Director of the Congo Basin and collaborate closely with focal points across the five countries where WWF operates in the region (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, and Gabon), in addition to engaging with the broader WWF Network and external stakeholders. This position entails occasional regional and international travel.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Establishing and Managing the Congo Basin Forest Hub
Responsibilities:
- Take charge of establishing, operating, and managing the Congo Basin Forest Hub.
- Build a unified regional team across the Congo Basin Countries, fostering alignment and facilitating knowledge exchange on key topics.
- Leverage collective opportunities and promote cohesion within the team.
2. Acting as an Ambassador and Internal Representative
Responsibilities:
- Serve as an ambassador for WWF’s forest initiatives in the Congo Basin, both internally and externally when requested.
- Represent the region in significant forums such as the Forest Practice Leadership Team, the Carbon Finance and Markets Task Force, and the Forests Forward Steering Group.
3. Providing Strategic Oversight and Technical Guidance
Responsibilities:
- Offer strategic oversight, thought leadership, and technical guidance to forest programs throughout the Congo Basin.
- Focus on emerging opportunities for the region, including climate finance, nature-based solutions, and engagement with the private sector.
4. Enhancing Capacity Development
Responsibilities:
- Support capacity development across the region regarding forest-related issues.
- Identify capacity gaps and facilitate access to resources, training programs, and technical guidance for WWF local teams to achieve their forest-related goals.
5. Developing a Regional Strategy for Community Forests
Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of a regional strategy and approach for a new generation of community forests that benefit people, nature, and climate.
6. Supporting Project Proposals and Resource Mobilization
Responsibilities:
- Assist in the development of project proposals and resource mobilization based on country and regional strategies.
7. Strengthening Partnerships and Engaging with Stakeholders
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with country teams to develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with regional institutions, NGOs, development partners, the private sector, donors, and relevant implementation agencies.
- Identify regional policy opportunities and processes, facilitating effective coordination among WWF regional and local staff for engagement.
8. Implementing Workplan and Reporting
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a workplan in collaboration with focal points in the Congo Basin offices, the regional team, and other stakeholders within the WWF Network.
- Ensure timely reporting on agreed objectives.
Required Qualifications:
1. Advanced Degree and Professional Experience
- Hold an advanced degree in forestry, natural sciences, environment, or a related field.
- Possess a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in forestry, conservation, policy, environment, sustainable development, or forest/agricultural commodity supply chains.
2. Language Proficiency and Additional Advantage
- Fluency in both English and French.
- Knowledge of climate finance and carbon markets is considered an advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies:
1. Strategic Thinking and Leadership
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and provide visionary leadership.
2. Communication and Influence
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, inspiring and motivating others.
- Strong coordination and facilitation skills, fostering knowledge sharing, learning, and capacity building.
3. Analytical and Organizational Skills
- Possess strong analytical and organizational skills, effectively engaging with multiple issues.
4. Multi-cultural Environment and Network
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and within a decentralized, multi-national network or program.
5. Global Forestry and Conservation Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge and passion for global forestry and conservation issues, policies, and trends.
6. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building
- Demonstrated experience in building strategic relationships and partnerships with various stakeholders, including the private sector, funding institutions, and NGOs.
7. Values and Behaviors
- Align with the core values of the government of Cameroon and the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.
- Exhibit model behaviors in ways of working, including striving for impact, listening deeply, collaborating openly, and innovating fearlessly.
Values & Behaviors:
- Demonstrate alignment with the core values of the government of Cameroon and the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.
- Act with the highest level of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
Working Relationships:
Internal:
- Collaborate with the Congo Basin Regional Team, WWF Congo Basin country offices, Regional Office for Africa team, Forest Practice Leader, Core Team and Leadership Team, Forests Forward Shareholder Group, Carbon Finance and Markets Task Force, WWF Network offices engaged in the Congo Basin, and relevant Practice Experts and Areas of Collective Action and Innovation (ACAI).
External:
- Serve as a focal point to establish and maintain contact with regional and global partners, including NGOs, regional institutions, private sector companies, and donor agencies, as required.
Please note that this job description outlines the primary responsibilities and reflects the overall nature of the tasks expected of the staff. Additional tasks may be assigned based on organizational needs.
How to apply?
To apply, please click on the following link and submit your CV and cover letter using a computer (Please do not use a mobile phone):
Application deadline: May 31, 2024.
Thank you for expressing your interest in this position. Kindly note that only candidates who are being seriously considered will be contacted for further follow-up. Candidates who meet the required qualifications may be interviewed on a rolling basis prior to the aforementioned deadline.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce.
