Democratic Republic of the Congo: Country Director , WWF-DRC

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 and 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.

Our conservation programme in DRC is the largest in Africa and includes field programmes in Lake Tumba Landscape, in and around Salonga NP as well as in North and South Kivu. This field programme is complemented by thematic programmes ranging from Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Change, species conservation and fight against illegal wildlife trade, energy and infrastructure, and governance.

For our country operation in DRC, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Country Director, with knowledge and experience of the region, to develop and lead WWF-DRC Country Office so that it is highly influential; is able to shape the sustainability agenda of DRC domestically and globally to deliver on WWF’s global priorities; and plays a leadership role within the WWF Network. To ensure a high performing WWF DRC Country Office with efficient operating systems, professional and skilled staff, and strong financial resources, delivering conservation impact on issues and in places that are key for WWF’s Network Initiatives and other global conservation priorities. The Country Director will join a multi-cultural team and in particular a Senior Management Team comprising of a Finance Manager, a Head of Conservation, a Communication Manager, a Fund-raising Manager and a senior Human Resource Manager.

I.Mission of the Role

To develop and lead a high performing WWF DRC Office so that it is embedded in local society, is highly influential and relevant to the DRC; to play a leadership role in the WWF network; to shape the conservation agenda of DRC to deliver on WWF’s global priorities at national, regional and global level; and is driven by a passion for biodiversity and vision for a world where people live in harmony with nature.

II.Major Functions

• Leads the vision, strategic planning and institutional development of WWF DRC Office as the leading conservation NGO nationally, regionally and globally;
• Accountable for the management of WWF DRC Office and ensures it is managed effectively and efficiently in all key programme areas: Conservation Program, Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Partnership Development, Communications, Fundraising and Monitoring & Evaluation;
• Provides effective leadership and line management for all members of senior management team;
• Provides thought leadership on key issues at national level and manages key partnerships, including with national Government, the private sector and civil society, to ensure optimal communication and mutually beneficial relationships are established and maintained;

· Promotes the vision and objectives of the WWF DRC Strategic Plan to external and WWF stakeholders, and participates in strategic partnership building/ fundraising approaches to them in coordination with all stakeholders as appropriate;

· Development and Leadership of the process to become a strong network office through Network support;

· Provides effective leadership and guides line management to relevant trans-boundary or multi-country programs.

III.Major Duties and Responsibilities

Networking and representation

· Represents WWF DRC at network meetings, vis-à-vis government, private sector leaders, key supporters and stakeholders;

· Contributes actively to the WWF Africa Leadership Team;

· Ensures effective communications and partnerships with WWF Network, government, international organizations, other non-governmental organizations, private sector and public to ensure strong profile of WWF DRC and its activities, as well as leveraging opportunities between national, regional and global levels.

Strategy Development and Implementation

· Provides overall direction and leadership in developing and executing WWF DRC strategic objectives and institutional vision and transformation on the path to become a robust organization, with strong foundations in local civil society;

· Further strengthens WWF’s profile, reputation and credibility in DRC and influences policies and best practices in line with WWF’s global programme priorities;

· Ensures that WWF DRC Office has a solid long-term development strategy, including a sound Financial Sustainability Plan, and is financially strong to deliver on its conservation agenda;

· Initiates and leads strategic partnerships relevant for WWF DRC strategic plan and institutional vision as well as WWF Network’s key global initiatives;

· Provides leadership for diversified local and international fundraising initiatives to strengthen programme funding and sustainability as well as ensures the production of good quality funding proposals and response to call for proposals;

· Provides overall direction and leadership in promoting and executing of trans-boundary and multi-country programs, ensuring good quality of leadership, coordination amongst stakeholders and implementation.

Ensuring adherence to legal and donor reporting requirements and internal policies

· Ensures WWF DRC activities comply with relevant government MoU legal requirements and ethical standards;

· Ensures the compliance of WWF DRC with WWF International and agreed WWF Network policies, standards and procedures, in particular the Compact Agreement, Fraud and Corruption Policy, and Respect in the Workplace Policy;

· Ensures on time quality technical, financial and management reporting to donors and all relevant parts of the WWF Network, according to agreed standards.

Management of country operations

· Leads staff effectively through creation of a shared vision ensuring all staff in the WWF DRC office understand their contribution including establishment of appropriate organizational structures, policies, processes, and departmental responsibilities;

· Ensures that the Office is effectively and efficiently managed in all key areas – conservation, operations, finance, HR, communication, marketing, fundraising and policy and partnerships;

· Effectively leads, coordinates, manages and develops the senior management team and supports them in executing the strategy and managing talent and resources;

· Builds a culture of performance, positivity, engagement, creativity and work ethics in the WWF DRC office;

· Performs other duties as requested by her/his line manager or her/his designate.

IV.Profile

Required Qualifications

· At least 10 years professional experience in a leadership role, 3-5 years of which should be in the Central Africa, with demonstrated success in managing multi-disciplinary teams;

· Minimum Master’s degree in an environmental/conservation field. Additional academic degree and training on Business Management, International Relations/ Development, or other related fields in would be a strong asset;

· Proven track record in successfully developing, leading, and managing large-scale programmes and/or institutions in the field of conservation, natural resource management, international development, and/or other related fields;

· Superior oral and written communication skills in French, and very good command in English. Knowledge of Lingala and Kiswahili is an added advantage

Required Competencies

· A proven leader with the capability of growing an organization’s impact and building future leadership and talent in the organization;

· High level negotiation, collaborating and influencing skills and the capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels in the business, not-for-profit, scientific and political communities;

· Knowledge of/ understanding the work that WWF does and demonstrate a passion for conservation

· Has networks at the highest levels of Government and Business and civil society;

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to represent an organization at a range of local and international fora, in the media and with the general public;

· Very strategic and demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic plans;

· Track record of building organizational talent by nurturing performance culture and encouraging empowerment and delegation;

· Decisive, courageous and resilient;

· Passion for conservation and WWF’s mandate;

· Committed to equal opportunity employment policies;

· Adherence to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.

V.Working Relationships

Internal: Interacts with the WWF DRC Strategic Management Team and staff on a daily basis, and as and when required coordinates and interacts with offices in the region, WWF International Secretariat and other offices in the WWF network.

External: Interacts with national governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the media, donors, specialists / consultants, and other stakeholders, in collaboration with her/his line manager as appropriate.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

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

The subject should read CD-DRC.Deadline for applications: July 10, 2018. Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow up. If you have not been contacted six weeks after closing, consider your application unsuccessful.

Female and African nationals applicants are encouraged.

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