Head of Conservation

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the largest independent conservation organizations in the world, active in almost 100 countries. It has been working in the Congo Basin in Central Africa for more than 20 years. Our mission is to stop the environmental degradation in the world and build a future where humans live in harmony with nature.

We have a large and growing conservation programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), implementing a large number of projects under four main strategic pillars, namely Forest and Agriculture, Wildlife and Protected Areas, Energy and Infrastructure and Governance, the latter being crosscutting. We are looking for a dynamic and committed for the position of Head of Conservation who will ensure that WWF DRC’s vision is implemented by attaining its conservation objectives.  

Location: 

Kinshasa, DRC

Main responsibilities:

A. Conservation Strategy development and Implementation:

• Lead the development of the Country Conservation strategy and programme designs and ensure alignment with WWF’s Global Goals;
• Lead in the development and management of a holistic programme and ensure strong coordination between the different strategic (thematic) pillars and the Geographical programmes (landscapes);

B. Programme Accountability, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Manage Performance and build capacity of Programme coordinators, and provides technical advice as appropriate;
• Through supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager (MEAL), ensure regular on-site visits to monitor project alignment and implementation progress;

C. Fundraising and Partnerships

• Support the Fundraising and Partnership Officer and the Country Director in fundraising through provision and development of transformational project ideas;
• Contribute to critical relationship building with financial and political partners to ensure influencing policy and enhancing WWF DRC’s donor base;

D. Conservation Governance Practice

• Act as the focal point for WWF DRC in the Conservation Governance Practice;
• Support the Country Director in liaising with donors and strategic governmental partners through different ministries to contribute to policy changes and improvements;
• Advise the Country Director in his Policy dialogues and influence in various areas both with the WWF Network, DRC institutions and with regional institutions (AfDB, CICOS, ECCAS, etc);

E. Staff supervision

• Ensure that the supervised staff perform according to their JDs;
• Perform periodic assessments to ensure performance.

What you need:

Required Qualifications 

• An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in natural resources management, biological sciences or related field experience. A PhD in conservation biology an asset;
• At least 10 years, broad working experience in conservation in the Congo Basin preferably in DRC;
• International experience and understanding of field-based activities is essential.

    Required Skills and Competencies

• Good technical, organizational, interpersonal and teambuilding skills essential;
• Ability to develop and co-ordinate conservation programmes and projects and to work effectively with a wide variety of partners and disciplines;
• Excellent understanding of ecoregional conservation, and the principles of conservation biology, as well as DRC’s biodiversity;
• Good understanding of WWF’s objectives and conservation strategies;
• Good understanding of DRC natural resource management related plans and programmes;
• Diplomatic and multi-cultural skills;
• Strong skills in programme and planning, monitoring, and evaluation, and project cycle management;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, in English and French;
• Team player and respectful of human diversity;
• Adhere to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging;
• Adherence to WWF ways of working (Behaviours).

Please consult the job description for more information on the position.

How to apply?

Email a cover letter and CV to recruit-roaydehub@wwfafrica.org

The subject should read DRC-HoC.  Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Only those who meet the requirements will be contacted. If you have not been contacted six (6) weeks after closing, consider your application unsuccessful.

Deadline for applications: September 15, 2019. 

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.