Job Description

Position: Country Program Manager 
Reports to: Country Director 
Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon  
Country Program/Sector: WCS Cameroon Program 
Start date: As soon as possible 
Position Type: Full-time 
Internal liaison: WCS-Cameroon Project Directors and senior staff, WCS Sudano Sahel regional technical staff  
Expected travel: Travel to Garoua, Mbakaou offices and field sites/parks 

 

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 livelihoods that depend on the direct utilization of natural resources. 

Cameroon Program Overview

WCS has been operating in Cameroon since 1985. Through its partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) WCS supports the Government of Cameroon to protect its biodiversity in four protected areas across the country. Currently, the WCS Cameroon programme is working on three main landscapes, namely the Takamanda-Mone Technical Operational Unit (UTO), the Mbam and Djerem National Park, and the Binational Complex of the Benoué, Bouba-Ndjida (Cameroon) and Sena Oura (Chad) National Parks.  WCS Cameroon has three offices and employs 274 persons, 96% of whom are Cameroonian nationals. Approximately 200 persons are currently employed in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex landscape.  

 Job Summary

The responsibility of the Program Manager will be overseeing the day-to-day management of the project portfolio of the WCS Cameroon program, providing direct support to the Country Director in Yaoundé and the Project Directors in the field. This position requires leadership and management skills, as well as diplomacy and close coordination and collaboration with government agents, authorities, and partners. 

Qualification Requirements

Major Responsibilities

  • Oversee grants management, including leading the development of strategies, work planning and monitoring, coordination of reporting and donor communications. 

  • Work with the Finance Director to monitor and track project budgets and spendings. 

  • Work closely with the Country Director and the Finance Director to monitor fundraising opportunities and develop proposals. 

  • Manage SharePoint and other information systems at country level. 

  • Work with Country Director and field project managers to develop and write proposals and track grant implementation.  

  • Coordinate regular and efficient communications between the landscape teams, Yaoundé team, regional and HQ teams. 

  • Provide guidance and oversight to teams, to ensure compliance to WCS policies, donor regulations and government requirements in project administration. 

  • Support and/or facilitate strategic planning for the WCS-Cameroon Program. 

  • As requested by the Country Director, represent WCS at meetings on a national and international level. 

  • Maintain relationships and dialogue with existing national and international NGOs and technical partners in-country, national delegation offices of bilateral and multi-lateral donors, and foster, where possible, the participation of existing and new partners in relevant aspects of program implementation and strategy development. 


Minimum Requirements

  • An advanced degree in wildlife biology, conservation, natural resource management, development, social sciences, project management, or another relevant field. 

  • Solid program and project management skills (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, budget management, reporting). 

  • At least with at least 5 years' experience in a similar role; experience in managing large international project portfolios funded by various donors with several project partners will be an asset. 

  • Solid experience in fundraising with proven experience, with EU and KFW. 

  • Experience of working on complex multi-disciplinary conservation projects. 

  • Experience working in Cameroon or Central Africa. 

  • Excellent communication and organizational skills. 

  • Capacity to work effectively in a multi-cultural team. 

  • Results-focused attitude to work. 

  • Excellent spoken and written English and French. 

  • Willingness and ability to travel to field offices in Cameroon. 

Salary Range

Commensurate with experience

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.