JOB, International Union for Conservation of Nature – Project Manager – INL Project

Project Manager – INL Project
Vacancy #: 6634
Unit: TRAFFIC Central Africa
Organization: TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC)
Location: TRAFFIC – Central Africa, Yaounde, Cameroon
Reporting to: Senior Program Officer – Forest Governance and Trade
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: P1
Expected start date: 01 January 2024
Type of contract: Fixed-term (18 months)
Closing date: 23 November 2023

BACKGROUND
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC is the leading non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK. TRAFFIC’s head office, based in Cambridge UK, provides worldwide leadership, coordination, cross-regional and corporate functions. TRAFFIC’s local engagement is managed through program offices operating under the auspices of the UK charity, with staff based in a hub office and at other strategic locations where
necessary. Program offices operate within a geographic area of ​​responsibility focused on one or multiple countries where TRAFFIC aims to help deliver priority program outcomes.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
The newly agreed two-year INL project ‘Combatting the facilitators of the illegal wildlife trade in Cameroon’ addresses issues of capacity within the private and public sectors to identify, investigate and prosecute cases of financial crime linked to wildlife trafficking, including money laundering , tax evasion and corruption in Cameroon. It also aims to improve collaboration between the private and public sectors and with law enforcement counterparts in Nigeria. The project will also sensitize commercial organizations such as freight forwarders, shipping companies and the Douala Port Authority, to the issues of wildlife trafficking and deliver bespoke training to increase their ability to intercept
and report suspicious cargo.

JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

The Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of the above two-year INL funded project in Cameroon. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering quality project outputs on time and within budget, as well as supporting development of the work in TRAFFIC Central Africa’s wider strategy, creating synergy between this project and other relevant work across Cameroon and Nigeria.

The Project Manager will also act as a representative of TRAFFIC, managing and building relationships with donors and stakeholders for current projects and to leverage funds for future
opportunities.

SPECIFIC DUTIES
• Ensure that all project activities are successfully implemented, outputs are completed to a high standard, and all financial, administrative and reporting requirements are met.
• Responsible for identifying suitable candidates and developing terms of reference for project consultants and other recruitment processes relevant to this project together with Human Resources and Administration colleagues.
• Supervises the logistics (travel, hotel bookings) for participants of project training workshops and partner meetings in Cameroon and Nigeria.
• Ensure the technical quality and timely delivery of work plan activities, including conducting a rigorous evaluation of project activities and interventions and suggesting adaptive management approaches to amplify project impact.
• Proactively manage relationships and foster dialogue amongst an ‘international community’ of project stakeholders and potential project collaborators, building on the range of partnerships already fostered in CAF since 2008; including Government Institutions, COMIFAC, COBAC, GABAC, IGOs ​​and NGOs.
• Lead efforts to inform and increase understanding among government, inter-governmental, private sector and civil society representatives around how transboundary wildlife trafficking can be relevant to institutions dealing with broader issues, including, for example, the wider trade agenda, especially through seaports, financial crime, good governance and corruption and effective court prosecutions.
• Proactively manage TRAFFIC’s relationships with relevant INL and USG missions, ensuring the project initiative integrates productively with other USG-funded initiatives and programs within and between different African countries, especially Nigeria.
• Identify additional research opportunities at the national/regional/species level to highlight priorities for the project delivery and assist the donor with strategic planning initiatives.
• Lead the compilation of reports, briefing papers and other communication materials, including technical review and sign-off, to ensure quality control and timely submission.
• Assist colleagues, as appropriate, with developing concepts and proposals to help leverage additional funding and technical resources that will assist in successfully delivering the work program and project activities.

SUPERVISION
•The Project Manager will be responsible for the line management of one Project Assistant based in Cameroon.
REQUIREMENTS
• REQUIREMENTS / EXPECTATIONS OF THE ROLE

A university degree in a relevant discipline (eg, criminology, biology, political science, social science, international relations, law, economics or related studies).

A minimum of 7 years of professional work experience relevant to law enforcement, financial crime, nature conservation and sustainable development, preferably within an international NGO and with preferred work experience in Cameroon and Nigeria.

Familiarity with major trends in conservation policy and issues relevant to the trade in wild terrestrial and marine wildlife in Central and West Africa, and broad familiarity with conservation and development issues, including governance and natural resource management.

Excellent understanding of international and regional nature conservation agreements, laws, policies and regulations regarding international trade in endangered species products and related crimes.

Strong interpersonal, leadership and networking skills with the ability to work well within a team while showing initiative, being proactive, and respecting sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches.

Experience in communicating program objectives to and in working with government and intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and other conservation partners.

Excellent skills in program management, planning and project implementation, attention to detail with proven ability in prioritizing workloads and meeting deadlines.

Excellent writing skills and the ability to understand and synthesize information from various sources.

Strong public speaking and presentation skills.

Fundraising experience and financial management skills.

Strong IT skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Fluency and excellent writing skills in English and French.

Good communication skills and experience of working with the media.

A willingness and ability to travel widely and frequently and to work under pressure.

APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: 

https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=10675&lang=en