DRC: Law Enforcement Advisor

Oct 22, 2017 | World Wide Fund For Nature
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For more than half a century, WWF has been working to protect the world's species and natural places, pushing for a more sustainable world. By working with local communities, governments, businesses, and other NGOs ­ we are defining new ways of working that will make a difference at a scale that matters to help redefine humanity’s relationship with the planet.

We have a presence in over 100 countries across the world, and our efforts have evolved from localised efforts in favour of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the planet.

Context

The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has launched an ambitious program of conservation in the Congo Basin. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), WWF is implementing eight action programs including one active since 2005 in the Salonga National Park (SNP) and its landscape. The Salonga National Park, second largest rainforest protected area of in the world by area (34,000 sq km) and one of the largest national parks in Africa, contains a biological diversity of exceptional value including forest elephant and bonobo. Species, ecosystems, and ecological processes contained in this protected area constitute a heritage of the first order for the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), the DRC, as well as the whole of humanity.

However, serious threats weigh on the Salonga National Park featuring not only endangering the outstanding universal values of the site but also jeopardizing the initiatives of sustainable management of natural resources in the heart of the Congo Basin.

In this context, the Law Enforcement Advisor will assist the Park Management and park staff with the implemention of a law enforcement strategy toprotect and manage this high profile conservation initiative in the Salonga National Park and the surrounding landscape.

Salonga National Park is large, the size of Belgium and consists of largely dense forest with many rivers that are the primary means of transportation. There is no road network. Access from Kinshasa is mainly by aircraft or boat. The park HQ at Monkoto is well developed with good infrastructure but could be considered isolated.

The Role:

The Law Enforcement Advisor will assist the Park Manager and park staffs implement a law enforcement strategy for protecting and managing this large conservation initiative in the Salonga National Park and surrounding landscape.

Main responsibilities:

In this respect his/her core assignment will focus on:

  • Further develop and above all assure the implementation of the Surveillance Strategy of Salonga National Park.
  • Asses and increase the capacity of the existing ICCN park guards (350) by training courses to cover the full range of skills required.
  • Implement a working recruitment process and training programme for ICCN Salonga in order to over time increase the number of park guards to 500.
  • Develop or outsource in-house training courses for the Ecoguards and implement a continual process of refresher trainings to ensure Ecoguards maintain the skills they require to cover the full range of skills and activities required of the field force.
  • Provide training and supervision in recording illegal activities, crime scene investigations, recording evidence, management of suspects both in the field and at the park HQ and following the legal process of initiating prosecutions and develop and implement a system of intelligence
  • Ensure all field and operational staff have the equipment required to carry out their duties i.e. uniforms, equipment, rations etc.
  • Work closely with the Procurement and Administration team to assure equipment procurements in a timely manner.
  • Organize and coordinate all park patrols and surveillance operations in collaboration with ICCN management staff
  • Working with ICCN and WWF staff in order to fully capitalize SMART to monitor and strategically organize patrols and activities within the park.
  • Research and develop long-term plan to modernize and technically advance surveillance system such as the use of drones or ARUs.
  • Update, manage and supervise communication system throughout the park.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Competencies
 

  • At least 5 years of field experience in law enforcement (anti-corruption, anti-poaching, wildlife law) or/and protected area management, preferably in tropical forests.
  • Proven capacity development skills with experience in developing training resources and delivering training are required.
  • Ability to work in remote areas and under difficult conditions with demonstrated creative problems-solving skills.
  • Strong experience in the field of law enforcement (anti-corruption, anti-poaching, wildlife law or/and protected area management).
  • Excellent collaborative and inter-personal skills, and have good time management and organizational skills.
  • Experience of project management and development is highly desirable, and a good understanding of biodiversity conservation issues in the region essential.
  • Experience of living and working in developing countries, preferably in Central Africa.
  • Excellent standard of written and spoken French and be able to communicate effectively
  • Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledge, Optimism, Determination and Engagement.

 How to apply?


 
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to send:

  • A cover letter
  • A detailed CV with 2-3 references 

All applications should be sent to recruit-wwfdrc@wwfdrc.org. Previous applicants need not apply.

Deadline for applications: 5 November 2017. The subject should read SNP-LA.


 
WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.