Wildlife TRAPS Project Officer – Central Africa
Vacancy #: 6201
Unit: TRAFFIC Central Africa

 

 

Organization:       TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC)
Location: TRAFFIC – Central Africa, Yaounde, Cameroon
Reporting to: Office Director – Central Africa
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: P1
Expected start date: 01 January 2023
Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 15 November 2022
BACKGROUND
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

 

TRAFFIC is a 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, including TRAFFIC Central Africa, based in Cameroon.

 

 

PROJECT BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC, in partnership with IUCN Washington DC and through funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been successfully implementing the Wildlife-TRAPS Project since February 2013. The current phase of the project runs through September 30, 2024 focused on developing practical solutions to mitigate risks of zoonotic disease transmission and emergence associated with trade in wild animals. Central Africa is a key focal region for this project, connecting to the regional and global policy context in terms of One Health and wildlife trade, and the work in Central Africa will co-inform activities in other project locations in East Africa, China and Viet Name.

 

 

This position will build on the past 18 months of effort by the Central Africa team, replacing a former full-time staff position, with the responsibility to continue the momentum in the field of One Health and wildlife trade in Cameroon and wider Central Africa.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Project Officer for Central Africa will lead the Wildlife TRAPS project implementation in Cameroon and at sub-regional level, including research and analysis, policy engagement, partnership development among wider annual workplan activities and deliverables.

The Project Officer will be responsible for ensuring the timely and effective implementation of Wildlife TRAPS Project activities in Central Africa and capturing the impact and learning that arise from these activities.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Implementation of the Wildlife TRAPS Project

 Responsible for ensuring Wildlife-TRAPS Project work plan activities are successfully implemented and results secured, and that delivery is effectively coordinated with the Project Leader, and project counterparts in Africa/Asia and others across the TRAFFIC network.
 Organizing and supporting the delivery of activities and interventions under Phase I and II of the project.
 Helping to establish and maintain relationships and support dialogue amongst an ‘international community’ of Wildlife TRAPS stakeholders and collaborators including both private and public sectors;
 Helping to manage relationships with relevant USAID missions and to ensure the Wildlife TRAPS Project integrates productively with other relevant USAID-funded initiatives and programs.
 Ensuring monitoring and evaluation process for activities and interventions delivered through the project; capturing and communicating the findings from this in order to amplify Wildlife TRAPS impact where feasible and appropriate.
 Supporting project management processes, including maintaining appropriate records and preparing financial and technical reporting information as required.
 Supporting the Wildlife TRAPS Project Leader in ensuring this high-profile project delivers a lasting impact at the intersection of wildlife trade risk reduction and One Health.
 Assess governments’ actions and practical steps towards satisfying commitments to various regional frameworks, declarations and initiatives such as: the newly adopted Sub-regional action plan for strengthening the implementation of wildlife national laws (PAPECALF II) of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC ) by the Council of Ministers, Marrakesh Declaration, Congo Forest Basin Partnership (CBFP), and Africa TWIX.
 Establish where there are needs and opportunities for collaboration between African countries in wildlife trade risk reduction interventions to improve safety from disease risk, while also targeting illegal and unsustainable practices;
 Develop activities to inform and increase understanding amongst government, inter-government, private sector and civil society representatives around how wild animal trade (legal and illegal) can be relevant to institutions dealing with broader issues; including for example, the wider trade agenda, zoonotic spillover risks, linkages with human and animal health, good governance, corruption and food security.
 Build synergies with relevant entities/programmes working on One Health activities including COMIFAC, FAO, the Cameroon National Program for the Prevention and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Zoonoses (PNPLZER) and the One Health network of civil society organizations in Cameroon (ROOHCAM ).
 Provide technical leadership and quality assurance for the Wildlife TRAPS Project in Central Africa, including the preparation of policy briefs and other documentation, linking to international, regional and national fora.
 Provide timely and thoughtful input into the production of quarterly/annual reports and work plans and other documents.

 

 

TRAFFIC’s Information Systems Management

 Overall responsibility for information management of the project in the region.
 Carries out data input, and regular analysis in central Africa, for internal purposes and to provide to relevant external fora/organisations/institutes.
 Provide support to fundraising efforts for research and analysis which complement the delivery of the Wildlife TRAPS Project.
 Support research and development of innovative technologies for data collection, analysis and presentation.

 Supervision of TRAFFIC consultants as directed.
REQUIREMENTS
• A university degree in a relevant discipline (eg, biology, veterinary science, political science, social science, international relations, law or economics).
• At least 7 years’ experience in wildlife conservation and sustainable development issues, preferably with an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO). Experience within the wider One Health arena is an advantage.
• Strong working knowledge of political and policy making processes within Central Africa.
• National and or regional/international policy advocacy experience including high level political negotiations preferably within a Central Africa context.
• Relevant and proven experience in project cycle management, ie, co-ordinating larger projects, incl. overseeing consultants and managing project budgets and reporting.
• Experience in implementing USAID-funded projects has strong advantage.
• Strong research and analytical skills, and an ability to articulate complex issues clearly.
• Strong networking skills and communication skills and ability to work in different cultural contexts.
• Fluency in spoken and written French and English.
• A willingness and ability to travel widely and frequently and to work under pressure.
• Familiarity with standard word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and data base software, and with electronic communication technology.

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.

 

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at: https://hrms.iucn.org/iresy/index.cfm?event=vac.show&vacId=10231&lang=en