Job Announcement
Position : Anti-Poaching Law Enforcement Officer
Organization “Mbam & Djerem National Park Project”
Reports to : Mbam & Djerem National Park Project Director
Location: Mbakaou, Cameroon
Travel : Frequent travel within Mbam & Djerem National Park Landscape
Starting date : As soon as possible
Deadline to apply: 05/02/2023
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) stands for wildlife and wild places protection through science-based solutions and promotes conservation actions that benefit nature and the humanity. WCS contributes to the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats through a rigorous scientific approach, environmental education program and helped for establishment and management of more than 150 protected areas worldwide. Its various activities contribute to changing people’s attitudes towards nature and aim to promote a viable and sustainable interaction between people and wildlife at local and global scales.
WCS first began working in Cameroon in 1988 and is currently covering four main landscapes, namely the Takamanda-Mone Technical Operation Unit (TOU), the Mbam & Djerem National Park, the Binational Complex of Bouba-Njidda (Cameroon) and Sena-Oura National Parks (Chad) and TOU Benue.
Created in 2000, the Mbam & Djerem National Park covers about 4,200 sq km of the transition zone between the dense humid forest of the South and the drier savannas of the North. Since 2003, WCS has been working alongside the Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) on a joint project to secure the biodiversity, ecosystem services and ecological processes of the Mbam & Djerem National Park through strengthened protected area management and enhanced social well-being of its peripheral communities.
Despite the important achievements and the tremendous efforts undertaken, the integrity of MDNP is still highly threatened by commercial hunting of elephant, great apes, pangolin and other threatened species, habitat destruction through unsustainable logging, shifting agriculture and uncontrolled burning of habitat for grazing pasture and unplanned infrastructure development in the periphery. Strengthening wildlife law enforcement through capacity building as well as developing and implementing appropriate and updated law enforcement strategy is of highest need to secure and preserve the park’s integrity.
As part of preserving the biodiversity of MDNP, WCS is looking for a candidate for the position of Law Enforcement Officer.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Mbam & Djerem Project Director, this position will provide technical assistance for Anti-Poaching and conservation activities and capacity building to law enforcement staff in close collaboration with the park authorities. The position will support the development/updating and implementation of the anti-poaching strategic action plan, oversee the planned activities within the framework defined by the government represented by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) and his various partners operating in the landscape.
Principal Responsibilities
– Ensure planning, implementation, and monitoring of the anti-poaching actions (organization of patrols, compiling, collating, analyzing, securing, and monitoring law enforcement data, running the operation room and reporting) in the project intervention area.
– Lead recruitment, training, and management of law enforcement staff in coordination with park authorities and WCS Project Director.
– Develop and monitor intelligence and informing system to enhance real-time law enforcement effectiveness and efficiency.
– Raise awareness and strengthen the prosecution procedures and enforcement of court sentences.
– Help to develop and implement strategic and effective communications for law enforcement.
– Raise awareness and collaborate with peripheral communities to the park, to promote the sustainability of the protected area and ecological interconnection.
– Plan and coordinate conservation and protection of wildlife activities in the park covered by the intervention.
– In the context of Anti-poaching activities and in general: ensure the strict application and compliance of the laws in force in the country, and compliance with international human rights rules as well as the WCS Code of Conduct.
– Support the Anti-poaching service in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports according to the needs of donors and WCS procedures, and in general provide administrative and financial support for conservation and anti-poaching.
– Other requests to support the implementation and proper functioning of the project.
Position Requirements
– A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a similar position
– A commitment to working collegially with all staff, and professionally and diplomatically with all partner organizations – governmental and non-governmental in a culturally diverse environment.
– Proven experience of developing and maintaining partnerships and individual relationships in a complex political environment.
– The willingness to gain an understanding of the institutional and legal framework for conservation as well as the relevant policy challenges.
– Training and/or work experience in the field of Conservation and biodiversity.
– Experience in Africa, and Central Africa in particular, is preferable, and the ability to work with and be sensitive to a diverse group of people, including different cultures, nationalities, and backgrounds.
– Be in good physical condition to be able to carry out continuous educational activities, including physical fitness.
– Be able to evolve and work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
– Excellent, fluent spoken and written French (English is an asset).
– Good knowledge of the national and international wildlife and protected areas legal framework.
– Experience in national law enforcement prosecution procedures in relation to wildlife offences.
– Proficiency with standard office computer software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.). Good Knowledge of GIS, SMART or EarthRanger will be appreciated.
– Excellent reporting skills, administrative and financial skills to support field operations and administrative monitoring.
– Advanced and updated qualifications in first aid and sports are an asset.
– Flexibility, optimism, good humour, a passion for excellence, motivation, and ambition.
Application Process
Interested candidates meeting the required qualification criteria are requested to send their CV and a cover letter to: wcscameroon@wcs.org latest February 05 th , 2023. Please include:
– “LAB Law Enforcement Officer Mbam & Djerem WCS Project” in the subject line of the email;
– CV _Name of the candidate;
– Cover Letter_Name of the candidate.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value
The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.
About WCS
The Wildlife Conservation Society is an international NGO headquartered at Bronx Zoo in New York City working to save wildlife and wild lands and to meet global challenges in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the world’s oceans. The Africa Program is the largest of WCS’s field programs, with approximately 1,100 staff in 12 country programs focused across four major regions (Central Africa, Sudano-Sahel, East and Southern Africa, and Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean).
Our MISSION is to save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature. Our VISION is a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. Our GOAL is to conserve the world’s largest wild places in 16 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world’s biodiversity. Our VALUES are Respect, Accountability and Transparency, Innovation, Diversity and Inclusion, Collaboration, Integrity.
HOW TO APPLY
wcscameroon@wcs.org
WELL READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN ABOVE TO APPLY, AND NEVER SEND MONEY DURING A RECRUITMENT.
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