Reports to: Northeastern CAR program Director
Location: Bamingui National Park, Central African Republic
Country Program: WCS Central African Republic
Position Type: Fulltime
Application deadline: 19th April 2019
Organization Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.
The Sudano-Sahel Region presents unparalleled opportunities for WCS to play a direct role in saving some of the last remaining intact wildernesses on the planet and to contribute significantly to the security of people and wildlife. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key populations of endangered elephant, northern giraffe, lion, eland, chimpanzee, gorilla, bongo, and the second largest antelope migration on the planet. Hundreds of bird species occur in the area, including shoebill and crowned crane. Communities also depend on the land for their livelihoods through pastoralism, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a significant presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, with a strong conservation history and proven success in protected area management. WCS currently has conservation initiatives in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, with new program activities developing in Ethiopia. We work actively to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, enhance anti-trafficking activities, and to implement our policy and scientific programs.
CAR Program Overview:
WCS has recently launched a CAR program in partnership with the government of CAR, including management of the Bamingui Bangoran and Manovo Gounda St Floris National Parks in north eastern CAR; this is a multi-faceted long-term program including park management, wildlife law enforcement and community engagement.
WCS is now seeking a highly motivated and committed professional for the LAB coordinator vacancy in northeastern CAR. The position will be based at Bamingui Park with frequent travel throughout the landscape.
Job Summary:
The LAB coordinator is responsible for all operations concerning the anti-poaching and Law Enforcement section and his/her role includes the following aspects:
- Ensure the protection of Bamingui Bangoran National Park and Manovo-Gounda St Floris Park.
- Organize, supervise and assist in patrols, teams and the over-all anti-poaching and Law Enforcement strategy.
- Organize trainings for the rangers and selections/recruitment for future rangers, to ensure the development and functioning of a high-performing interdisciplinary team. He/she will lead a team of 90 rangers.
- Maintain high standards of discipline, morale and pride.
- Ensure timely evaluation of staff performance.
- Set up adequate administrative procedures to manage patrol report, gps/data collection, arrest procedures etc.
- Create and implement SOP’s for Law Enforcement and antipoaching, which meets WCS SOP’s standard.
- Manage logistics within the Law Enforcement section such as stock checking and tracking material and equipment as well as insuring their maintenance, source and order material needed such as equipment and rations.
- Set up and ensure the maintenance of the administrative side of the Law Enforcement section such as patrol reports, HR procedures, arrest procedures, collection of data, arms procedures.
- Overview permanently risk assessment and security of WCS base and parks.
- Ensure good relationships with the local authorities.
- Ensure good communication between the Law Enforcement section and the rest of the WCS Project.
- Develop and implement a long term protection strategy of the Bamingui Manovo National Park landscape and other key protected areas in collaboration with the other coordinators (Community Based Conservation coordinator, Land-use planning coordinator, public and politics relationship coordinator).
- As a senior member of the WCS CAR Program Team, participate in strategy meetings and the tasks identified to help ensure sound operations of the program.
- Work with the WCS CAR staff and Director to ensure on work plans, reporting, and budgets, organization of logistics, and responsibility for his section budget.
Minimum Requirements:
- Strong knowledge on anti-poaching and law enforcement.
- Appropriate professional training in wildlife law enforcement and/or security.
- Three years’ experience with wildlife law enforcement and security in Africa.
- Proven managerial and team building skills and ability to manage a large team.
- Proven technical knowledge of military operations and procedures.
- Demonstrated communication, tact and negotiation skills.
- Strong personal integrity and dependability.
- Good report writing skills.
- French and English language fluency required, familiarity with languages and culture of CAR will be an advantage.
- Proven ability and comfortable with living and working in a multicultural environment in isolated areas, under difficult field conditions.
Preferred Qualifications:
Significant work experience in CAR, knowledge of Central Africa and Sudano-Sahel region environmental and political issues.
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together and the names and contact information of three references to: [email protected] by 19th April 2019 deadline. Please include “Northeastern CAR LAB coordinator” in the subject line of your email.
In addition, please note that all candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers
WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value
The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations
Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.
More Information
- Job City Bamingui National Park,
