VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT

TRAFFIC is seeking to recruit the services of a competent Senior Programme Officer to oversee the implementation of its programme in Central Africa

TRAFFIC Central Africa Senior Programme Officer

Location: Cameroon Country Programme Office, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Reporting to: Regional Director - Central Africa

Work percentage: 100%

Expected start date: 01 June 2015

Closing date: 25 April 2015

BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC, is the leading global non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants, in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. TRAFFIC strives to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. We actively monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is an international network, organised into seven regional offices.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The overall purpose of the position is to coordinate and provide technical support for the effective and efficient implementation of the TRAFFIC programme in Central Africa which covers the ten countries under the auspices of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC), i.e. Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Rwanda, Chad and São Tomé and Príncipe.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate the implementation of the technical aspects of TRAFFIC’s programme in Central Africa.
2. Support the implementation of regional development plan, programme and annual work-plans of TRAFFIC in Central Africa.
3. Lead the implementation of the ‘Flagships’ and ‘Wild Animals used for Food and Medicine’ (WAFM) sub-programmes of TRAFFIC in Central Africa. 
4. Strengthen relations and work closely with CITES Management and Scientific Authorities, CBD Focal Points, as well as other national agencies and institutions responsible for the fulfilment of national obligations under CITES, CBD and other relevant conventions related to the conservation / trade of elephants and great apes, and bushmeat. 
5. Promote the implementation of the Central African Wildlife Law Enforcement Action Plan, commonly known by it’s French acronym, PAPECALF (Plan d’Action sous-régional des pays de l’espace COMIFAC pour le renforcement de l’application des législations nationales sur la faune et flore sauvages en Afrique Centrale, PAPECALF)
6. Promote in collaboration with governments and key partners including regional bodies, the continuous development of innovative national/regional strategies and actions to combat wildlife crime in Central Africa. 
7. Strengthen relationships with relevant regional bodies and working groups in Central Africa of relevance to the wildlife trade such as, e.g. COMIFAC, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), the Observatoire des Forêts d'Afrique Centrale (OFAC). 
8. Support the establishment and functioning of wildlife law enforcement coordination mechanisms, such as the National Co-ordination Units (NCU) to combat wildlife crime at both national and regional levels in central Africa.
9. Undertake regularly surveys of wildlife trade using sound scientific methods, manage a database on wildlife trade and establish an information sharing platform on wildlife trade in Central Africa.
10. Promote information sharing on wildlife trade between Central Africa countries as well with other regional TRAFFIC offices particularly regions with transit and demand links to Central Africa countries.
11. Support governments to effectively implement strategies and approaches to monitor wildlife trade and related illegal activities in central Africa
12. Support government enforcement action through research (collection, documentation, analysis) and provision of information on illegal trade of flagship species and their parts to government law enforcement agencies and officers. 
13. Promote the effective implementation of the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) and the Central African Bush meat monitoring system (SYVBAC).
14. Support capacity building programmes that address priority needs that will enhance law enforcement and improve persecution of wildlife crime offenders.
15. Monitor and evaluate activities implemented under the Flagship and WAFM sub-programme of TRAFFIC in Central Africa. 
16. Support the TRAFFIC communication teams with information relevant to wildlife trade with focus on the Flagships and WAFM. 
17. Develop projects to raise funds for the implementation of the Flagship and WAFM sub-programmes of TRAFFIC in Central Africa.
18. Ensure timely preparation of quality internal and external reports.
19. Undertake all other activities deemed necessary by the line manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree in relevant discipline (wildlife conservation) or the equivalent in field and educational experience;
• A minimum of 10 years practical experience in wildlife conservation preferably in Central Africa with experience of working with an international non-governmental organization (NGO) or an inter-governmental organization (IGO); experience in wildlife law enforcement and capacity building are an advantage;
• Strong research and analytical skills, and an ability to articulate complex issues clearly;
• Relevant and proven experience in project cycle management (i.e. co-ordinating larger projects, including overseeing consultants and managing project budgets and reporting);
• Good fundraising skills and proven record in fundraising
• Strong presentation and communication skills with excellent fluency in spoken and written English and French;
• Strong working knowledge of political and policy making processes within Central Africa. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; and,
• Willingness to travel frequently.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Junior staff, consultants, and field assistants as required

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants are requested to visit the IUCN-website at http://HRMS.IUCN.org on or before April 25, 2015, at midnight. Please state where you first saw the role advertised in your cover letter;

Please note that this position will be hosted on an IUCN employment contract and second to TRAFFIC.

For further information about TRAFFIC, please visit our website at http:// www.traffic.org