Posted on May, 23 2019

WWF-DRC is looking for a Head of Conservation ad interim for its National Program to help achieve its new ambitious goals, and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

Location:  Kinshasa, Democratic of Republic of Congo.

 

Duration of the assignment: six months

The Role:

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the conservation organization, has 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. The Head of Conservation will ensure WWF-DRC’s vision is implemented by attaining its conservation objectives. 
 
The Head of Conservation  supports the delivery of transformational and lasting conservation impact by building and leading WWF DRC’s Conservation Programme, ensuring coherent integration of thematic and geographical programmes as presented in the Country Strategic Plan. He/she provides advice to the DRC Country Director on pertinent conservation issues in the country. He/she leads the tactical direction of DRC’s Conservation Agenda in partnership with key international, governmental and local partners. As the Conservation Governance Practice focal point for WWF-DRC, he/she will lead the empowerment of Congolese civil society to take ownership of the future of natural capital management in the DRC. By doing so, he/she will support the further embedding of WWF-DRC in the DRC civil society, thus, enhancing its relevance in Conservation and Development work in the country. 
 
Working closely with the Country Director, he/she supports the engagement with multilateral and bilateral institutions to influence policies around key conservation areas. He/she also mediates the WWF network’s engagement (through the Practices) to maintain the alignment of WWF-DRC critical contributions to the WWF Global Goals.

Major Duties and responsibilities

1. Conservation Strategy implementation:

• Lead the implementation of the Country Conservation Strategy, programme design, 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).

• Ensure active participation of WWF’s partners in the Conservation Programme and its development as well as strengthening partners’ capacities in pre-identified areas.
• Develop synergies between WWF’s partners to ensure experience sharing and strengthen lobby / advocacy capacity at the national level.
• Coordinate with WWF National Offices and partners on conservation-related issues (policy, advocacy, programmatic) and concerns, facilitating effective working relations and ensuring “one voice” from the network to strengthen the governance of natural capital in DRC.
• Ensure WWF-DRC’s representation in strategic technical internal and external conservation forums.
• Ensure thorough planning for the implementation of WWF DRC’s Conservation Strategy is developed, maintained and respected, and that “lessons learned” are available for future reference and use by WWF.
• Establish linkages between WWF’s vision and conservation objectives of the DRC Government as well as those of the donor community.
• Stay on top of conservation and development trends (e.g. SDGs, OBOR, INGA, and SE4A) and inform colleagues and partners of new conservation initiatives, approaches, strategies, etc. for better integration in WWF-DRC’s Conservation Strategy.
• Coordinate the preparation of strategic documents, guidelines, and other materials required to guide the conservation vision of WWF-DRC’s programmes.

2. Programme Accountability, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Manage performance and build capacity of Programme Coordinators, and provide technical advice as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, ensure regular on-site visits to monitor project alignment and implementation progress.
• Ensure planning of thematic programmes is maintained and respected by working closely with the Programme coordinators, and compile lessons learned for future reference and use by the WWF.
• Ensure necessary human resources are in place to deliver on the Conservation Strategy by coordinating the elaboration of job descriptions and terms of reference for new conservation staff and consultants with Programme coordinators and participate in recruitment processes.
• Ensure human rights are embedded in WWF-DRC’s Conservation Programme delivery across landscapes.
• Play a leading role in the development of the WWF-DRC annual operational plan, the preparation of annual budgets and other reports to submit to WWF-ROA and to DRC officials.
• Provide advice to the Country Director on relevant conservation issues, as well as technical input in strategic documents and other ad hoc advice and assistance as needed.
• Support WWF-DRC’s share in the Africa Transformational and Trans-Boundary Programme development and implementation.
• In collaboration with practice leaders, ensure leadership and accountability for the WWF-DRC overall critical contributions delivery in line with the network’s Global Goals.

3. Fundraising and Partnership

• 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.
• Ensure technical backstopping for the development of big programmatic proposals.
• Support the promotion of the new funding model and its integration into the conservation approach.

4. 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.)
• Contribute building the next generation of conservationists focusing on youth and women, and supporting the promotion of integrating human rights in WWF-DRC conservation approaches.
• Support the development of jurisdictional programmes (Green Economy) in DRC.

5. Others

• Ensure that the supervised staff perform according to their JDs.
• Give support/ advice to supervised staff.
• Perform periodic assessments to ensure performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

 Knowledge and Experience:
The Head of Conservation must have an advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in natural resources management, biological sciences or related field experience. A PhD in conservation biology an asset.
The Conservation Director must have broad working experience in conservation in the DRC, with at least ten years of experience.  Additional international experience and understanding of field-based activities is essential.
 
Skills and Abilities.  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.
Demonstrate the WWF four behaviours, which are: Strive for impact, Listen deeply, Collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.

How to apply?

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to send:

• A cover letter
• A detailed CV with 3 references 

Interested internal candidates should make sure that they requested to be seconded by their home office. They should not resign from their current position, as this is a six-month assignment.

 
All applications should be sent to recruit-wwfdrc@wwfdrc.org . The subject should read Head Of Conservation a.i

Deadline for applications: June 5, 2018
 
 
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.