Head of Ecotourism Department 56 views1 applications

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

The World Wide Fund for Nature seeks a Head of Ecotourism Department for its CAR Programme

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.

What we do:
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

Location: Bayanga, CAR

Contract type: fixed term (2 years renewable)

Mission:

The Ecotourism unit in collaboration with the other units to promotes the DSPA for the benefit of the Country. The unit will profile DSPA inside and outside the country by creating responsible and sustainable Eco touristic circuits for visitors to discover the local richness, based on sustainable tourism focused on both wildlife and cultural resources.

Main function and responsibilities:

The Head of Ecotourism will:

• Elaborate a tourism development plan for DSPA;
• Continue to build awareness on the biodiversity and environmental richness of the DSPA;
• Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in the community and work in partnership with them to create and develop tourism products ensure participation of the communities as well as their (financial) benefits;
• In collaboration with other department and local communities, develop attractive tourism products and tourist routes for visitors at national and international level;
• Deliver memorable informational experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to conservation and awareness of local culture;
• Design, coordinate constructions and ensure that infrastructure and ecofriendly facilities are available to host visitors;
• Ensure that the financial revenues are effectively collecte;
• Ensure a sustainable, transparent and efficient management of tourism revenues;
• Create partnership with travel agencies, tour operators’ local airlines companies and Tourism Ministry to promote DSPA.

1.Infrastructure construction and management

• Supervise the construction and maintenance of Eco Lodges and associated accommodation facilities;
• Ensure the maintenance of the welcome center;
• Supervise the rehabilitation and maintenance of the tourist infrastructures at selected bais.
• Develop trails.

2. Local development

• In Close collaboration with the Community development unit, contribute to the development of a system of revenue sharing that effectively benefits the local communities (including Baa’ka people community) while sustaining both the costs of the programme and its conservation component; capacity building of local community in regards to the sale of tourism products (financial administration, marketing)

3.Tourism product

• Explore diversify and potential markets and develop tourism product adaptable to each segment of the market;
• Work with DSPA management, private operators and community groups to develop new eco-friendly tourist activities which increasingly generate revenues for the tourism programme
• Supervise activities related to tourism in collaboration with lodge contractors and existing / potential tour operators, ensuring an efficient activity reservation system and logistics, tourism welcome centres, guide training, and data collection and analysis;
• Contributes to supporting ecotourism development at DSPA and in collaboration with TNS partners.

4.Tourism Benefits management

• Support DSPA administration in setting appropriate fees for tourism activities.

5.Promote ecotourism

• Identify and engage with potential partners (travel agencies, tour operators, hotels in Bangui) to attract tourist.

6.Staff Management and development

• Ensure staff management and development, staff evaluation, detailed and accurate record keeping, visitor management, etc.
• Ensure staff a properly trained.

7.Others

• Attend international/ regional/ national relevant tourism forums to promote DSPA;
• Work in collaboration with the Communication Department to feed the website with stories around the available tourism opportunities in DSPA;
• Carry out any other duties assigned by the line manager.

What you need:

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Tourism, Marketing or any related areas;
• Minimum of 7years’ experience, with demonstrated success in an international environment (NGO or Company); experience in Africa will be of advantage;
• A proven track record of implementation of a tourism development plan.

Excellent communication oral and written skills in French and English.

Required skills and competences:

• Good leadership and team work abilities;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, within WWF CAR and, as required, with external stakeholders;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and French;
• High ethics and a personal commitment to transparency and accountability;
• Sensibility on safeguarding standards and social policies (gender, human rights etc.) are expected;
• Ability to work in a remote environment with regular missions offering logistical challenge;
• Adhere to WWF’s values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration;
• Demonstrates WWF behaviours in ways of working: Strive for impact, Listen Deeply, Collaborate Openly, Innovate Fearlessly.