CAR: Cross-Border Anti-Poaching Coordinator

Apr 19, 2021 | Wildlife Conservation Society
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The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources. The Sudano-Sahel Region presents unparalleled opportunities for WCS to play a direct role in saving some of the last remaining intact wildernesses on the planet and to contribute significantly to the security of people and wildlife. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key populations of endangered elephant, northern giraffe, lion, eland, chimpanzee, gorilla, bongo, and the second largest antelope migration on the planet. Hundreds of bird species occur in the area, including the shoebill and the crowned crane. Communities also depend on the land for their livelihoods through pastoralism, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a significant presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, with a strong conservation history and proven success in protected area management.

WCS currently has conservation initiatives in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, with new program activities developing in Ethiopia. We work actively to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, enhance anti-trafficking activities, and to implement our policy and scientific programs.

CAR Program Overview:

WCS has recently launched a private public partnership program with the government of Central African Republic (CAR) for management of the northern CAR protected area complex. This is a multi-faceted long term program entailing park management, law enforcement and community engagement within the Bamingui-Bangoran and Manovo-Gouda St Floris National Parks in Northeaster CAR.

Job Summary:

The Cross-border Anti-poaching Coordinator will be responsible for wildlife law enforcement operation in the transboundary sector of the Chari Basin landscape. This job is a full-time position based in Northeastern CAR Protected Areas near the border with Chad.

Duties and responsibilities include:

  • Develop law enforcement strategy for the Chari Basin's transboundary area.
  • Train in and manage ranger team for strengthen law enforcement operations in the Chari Basin's transboundary landscapes and its surrounding protected areas.
  • Establish close coordination with partners from Chad, CAR and Cameroon for the implementation of anti-poaching transboundary strategies.
  • Implement strategies to deter transhumant pastoralists from entering the core protected area, prioritizing approaches based on awareness-raising approach rather than the use of force.
  • Develop strategies to control and surveillance cross-border incursions from Chad and Sudan, and prevent poaching of key species such as elephants, bongo, giraffes…
  • Prevent and tackle illegal fishing activity in the Chari Central Basin's and north-eastern CAR's landscape, which entails mapping and monitoring the current access routes to the core area.
  • Prevent and tackle poaching activity within the Chari Central Basin's and north-eastern CAR's landscape.
  • Use camera traps and other means to map and monitor access routes to the core protected areas used by poachers.
  • Oversee all field operations activities are conducted according to WCS policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Respect and implement the WCS Code of Conduct.

Qualification Requirements

  • Professional Training and Qualifications in wildlife law enforcement or equivalent experience.
  • >5 years working experience in Wildlife Law Enforcement in Africa
  • Practical skills and experience in developing infrastructure.
  • Initiative – must be able to get things done and solve problems with minimal support.
  • French language fluency required. 
  • Good communication skills and strong team leadership.
  • Proven experience in capacity building of partners.
  • Proven ability to live and work in a remote multicultural environment under difficult field conditions. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Significant work experience in CAR, knowledge of Central Africa and Sudano-Sahel region environmental and political issues, and strong reputation in the CAR environment community.

Application Process:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together and the names and contact information of three references to:  rca@wcs.org by 25th April 2021 deadline. Please include “Cross-border Anti-poaching Coordinator" in the subject line of your email.

In addition, please note that all candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers