Research Officer - ReTTA

TRAFFIC, the international wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. We actively monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is organised into six regional programmes.

TRAFFIC is implementing a four-year project, ‘Reducing trade threats to Africa’s wild species and ecosystems (RETTA) through strengthened knowledge and action in Africa and beyond’. The project’s purpose is to strengthen actions to conserve and protect wildlife populations, areas of high biodiversity, and communities in Africa threatened by illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, with a particular focus on trade to Asia.

The salary for this position will be USD 35,000 - USD 44,000 p.a. dependent on skills and experience

Characteristic Duties

The successful candidate will undertake research on wildlife trade, within the East/Southern Africa region. The executant will identify actions designed to reduce illegal or unsustainable trade within Africa and between Africa, Asia, other regions and major international wildlife markets They will ensure the effective delivery of the project in East/Southern Africa in close collaboration with the overall RETTA project leader and Regional Director.

Specific Duties


• Develop and undertake research on wildlife trade in the East/Southern Africa region, carry out market surveys including internet surveys and field work, conduct interviews and report and literature reviews;
• Ensure the successful implementation of the project in the East/Southern Africa region, working closely with the project leader and the regional director for East/Southern Africa;
• Collaborate and maintain strong internal relationships with TRAFFIC regional teams in Africa and globally, ensuring all actions are synergistic, complementary and demonstrate value for money;
• Ensure the technical quality and timely delivery of planned activities;
• Ensure adherence to TRAFFIC’s research and data management protocols;
• Ensure data collection for the TRAFFIC Information System;
• Compile reports, briefing papers and other communication;
• Develop recommendations for actions to address illegal and unsustainable trade and encourage uptake within the region;
• Track and measure the impact of activities recommended by TRAFFIC;
• Develop and implement research partnership strategies in East/Southern Africa to strengthen regional co-operation in addressing the illegal wildlife trade;
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to strengthen regional approaches to addressing the trans-continental illegal wildlife trade, particularly to Asia;
• Convene, facilitate and/or chair meetings and workshops, and consolidate relationships with potential project collaborators;
• Lead efforts to inform actions in government, inter-government, private sector and civil society within Central Africa and East Southern Africa to reduce wildlife trafficking;
• Ensure effective linkages to the delivery of TRAFFIC’s wider programme priorities with specific reference to research and building capacity and partnerships to deliver a lasting conservation impact;
• Develop concepts and proposals to help leverage additional funding and technical resources that will be required to ensure the successful delivery and continuation of the project;
• Other duties as required by the ReTTA project leader.