Democratic Republic of the Congo: Chief of Party

Oct 24, 2015 | Wildlife Conservation Society
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 WCS is recruiting for a Chief of Party to ensure the oversight, administration, and coordination of activities supported by USAID under the Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) project of the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE).  The goal of CAFEC is to maintain the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystems of the Congo Basin through sustainable management of forests and reduction of threats to biodiversity. WCS work under this program focuses on seven landscapes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (RoC). The Chief of Party position is based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo with frequent travel in DRC and RoC. WCS implements CAFEC in partnership with various national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations and agencies. The CoP reports to the WCS Central Africa Region Director and works closely with the WCS DRC and RoC Country program Directors.

The duties of the CARPE Chief of Party will include:

  • Serving as WCS’s primary point of contact authorized representative with USAID with respect to the CAFEC Cooperative Agreements
  • Maintain efficient working relationships with the CARPE director and other relevant USG staff
  • In full coordination with the WCS Central Africa Director, WCS DRC and RoC country programs, maintain relationships with other program participants, stakeholders, beneficiaries and other relevant organizations in the Congo Basin region.
  • Through WCS’s DRC and RoC Country Programs, coordinate the overall planning, implementation and management of CAFEC, in accordance with WCS field operations policies and procedures. , the program description, approved work plans and budgets, and contractual agreements.
  • With support from WCS, the CoP ensures that the program is in compliance with donor policies and regulations.
  • Work with landscape, country, and regional staff to ensure that all financial and technical reporting requirements are met.
  • Ensure that USAID is kept regularly up to date on project activities and achievements, particularly providing regular summaries of any special project highlights.
  • In coordination with WCS country offices and landscapes, ensure adequate technical assistance is provided.  
  • In collaboration with WCS staff and each landscape lead, develop and oversee the monitoring and evaluation systems.
  • Work with WCS Regional, country program and NY financial and landscape teams on budgeting, budget management and monitoring and reporting.

Requirements for the position include:

-          A Masters or PhD degree in conservation, natural resource management, or other relevant field and ten years relevant experience in Africa.

-          Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in difficult settings, and politically sensitive situations.

-          Experience of managing international donor funded projects with a wide range of different elements and multiple sub-grantees and partners.

-          Excellent written and verbal communication skills and relational skills, especially in a cross-cultural environment, including fluency in French and English. Knowledge of Swahili would be an advantage.

-          Experience of working in an area of insecurity.

-          Experience of working in the Central Africa region would be an advantage.

 Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three referees to the addresses below not later than October 15th, 2015. Please include “WCS CARPE Chief of Party Position” in the subject line of your email.

Application Process: On-line application link:

https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWebHost/searchopenings.aspx?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168

In addition to applying on-line, please also send your CV to:

 africaapplications@wcs.org with a copy to nholbrook@wcs.org (file size should be limited to under 500kb)