I. Major Functions:
In the Central African Republic, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is active in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Area Complex (DSPA). The DPSA consisting of the Dzanga-Ndoki-National Park and surrounding buffer zones (including community hunting zones) comprises 4,450 km2 of rainforest area around the Sangha river in the south-western corner of the CAR. Together with the bordering national parks and buffer zones of Lobéké in Cameroon and Nouabale Ndoki in the Republic of Congo it forms the Sangha Trinational complex (TNS) - a landscape that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
The WWF and its partners have supported the Central African Ministry of Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing (MEFCP) in managing the DPSA for over 30 years. The main mission of the co-managing partners is to protect the precious biodiversity of the DPSA while promoting the sustainable use of its natural resources and improving the livelihood of indigenous and local communities. This includes programs focusing on community development and conservation, research, sustainable forestry, ecotourism and anti-poaching. Following an inclusive conversation approach, WWF strives to support indigenous peoples (IP) and local communities (LC) to govern their resources in ways that benefit them as well as nature.
The Head of Community Development and Rights’ (HCDR) main roles for this position are:
1) to lead development, implementation and oversight of the community development activities of WWF-APDS. These are divided into four main subdepartments: community rights, socio-economic development, health and community conservation (in collaboration with the Protection & Surveillance Department); and,
2) to assist DSPA Management in delivering its broader goals and those of the Sangha Trinational (TNS) in line with the WWF CAR national strategy and WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework.
The post is supported by a Deputy Head of Department from the MEFCP.
II. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- To ensure effectiveness of community development and community rights (CDCR) initiatives as a support to conservation objectives;
- to plan, manage, coordinate, monitor and report/communicate all aspects of CDCR activities throughout the DSPA project portfolio (main donors EU, KfW/FNTS) focusing on community rights and education, health, socio-economic development, community conservation and general community outreach;
- To contribute to the development of work plans, proposals, budgets and reports for departmental activities on a quarterly basis or more frequently as necessary and as defined by project contract/Agreements and WWF Programme Management Standards;
- To ensure accountability of funds according to project planning and contractual obligations in collaboration with the F&A Manager;
- To maintain strong communication with and represent an entry-point for a wide set of local partners working on human rights, IP representation, cultural preservation, mediatic outreach, community based natural resource management, health, education, and many more;
- To implement with partners WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework in DSPA, including the DSPA complaint mechanism and the DSPA community governance entity;
- To remain well informed of legislation, policies and procedures that could impact development activities, community based natural resource management, indigenous peoples, etc. as well as implement WWF best practices regarding participation of local communities and indigenous peoples in natural resource management;
- To supervise together with the deputy head of Department all staff (about 15) associated with departmental activities;
- To participate in staff capacity development and evaluation.
III. Experience and Qualifications:
Required Functional skills:
- An advanced degree in social sciences and/or equivalent experience in working with local communities (especially indigenous groups) concerning community based natural resource management is required;
- 7 years work experience, at least part of which in Central Africa and engaging with IPLC in rural and remote areas;
- Professional experience and/or exposure to the interconnected themes of human rights, rural socio-economic development and community conservation;
- Strong skills in participatory approaches (FPIC,…), project management (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation,…) and dealing with international agencies (particularly European Union);
- Fluency in French and English, Sango and/or Ba’Aka would be a plus.
- Sharing WWF values: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Collaboration.
Required behavioural skills :
- Organisational, managerial, interpersonal and administrative skills;
- Strong communication skills, particularly in writing reports and proposals for donor agencies;
- Adheres to WWF’s values, which are RESPECT; COURAGE; INTEGRITYCOLLABORATION
Adherence to WWF ways of working (Behaviours)
- Strive for Impact«I am results driven. Everything I do, the way I think, plan and implement is driven by a relentless search for impact. »
- Listen Deeply«I go beyond my point of view and strive to see the bigger picture from different perspectives. I stay curious and listen deeply to what others have to say. »
- Collaborate Openly«I’m a global citizen working for a living planet. I am constantly thinking of how with others, together, we can be more impactful. I work across boundaries, openly ask for help and share what I know, both internally and externally. »
- Innovate Fearlessly«I take risks to find better solutions. I measure progress and learn from mistakes. I share both success & failures. I encourage others to do the same. »
IV. Working relationships:
Internal: WWF Country Coordinator, WWF DSPA Director, DSPA Head of Units (Finance and Admin, Research, Ecotourism and Surveillance).
External: local, national and regional authorities, local civil society organisations community representatives, commercial partners, Sangha Tri-National partners, and donor representatives.
How to apply
Applications including a cover letter and a detailed resume should be send electronically to recruitment@wwfcar.org
Deadline for applications: 26 September 2023.
The subject should read « Head DDCCR DSPA – CAR »
PLEASE Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce!