Position: Program Manager

Reports to: Country Director

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Country Program/Sector: WCS Cameroon Program

Start date: As soon as possible

Position Type: Full-time

Internal liaison: WCS-Cameroon Project Directors and senior staff, WCS Central Africa regional technical staff

Expected travel: Local travel to field sites and sub-offices

Organization Background:

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 livelihoods that depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Cameroon Program Overview:

WCS first began working in Cameroon in 1988 with a study on elephant in Korup National Park and has subsequently has helped support the creation of a number of protected areas in the country. Today the program supports the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife in protecting biodiversity and habitats across three large landscapes in the North (Bouba-Ndjida National Park and Benoue National Park), Central/Adamawa/Eastern (Mbam Djerem National Park) and South West (Takamanda Mone landscape) regions.

Job Summary:

The responsibility of the Program Manager will be overseeing the day-to-day management of the project portfolio of the WCS Cameroon program, providing direct support to the Country Director in Yaoundé and the Project Directors in the field.

Major Responsibilities:

• Oversee management of projects and grants including assistance with development of strategies, preparation of proposals, coordination of timely reporting and in-country donor communications, compliance with donor regulations
• Manage database and track opportunities for funding and grants from various sources including files pertaining to Create grants, consultancies, field projects and other agreements for the country program office.
• Work with Country Director and field project managers to develop and write proposals and track grant implementation
• Where appropriate, act as liaison between Donors and fields projects, ensuring timely submission of progress report and other terms of grant agreements.
• Provide technical support to field Project Directors in the implementation of existing work plans
• Coordinate operational support between the Yaoundé office and field projects/sub-offices
• Facilitate internal WCS communications between the field, Yaoundé, regional and NY teams
• Provide technical assistance and oversight to ensure that Project Directors adhere to and are aware of WCS policies, donor regulations and government requirements in project administration
• Participate in strategic planning for the WCS-Cameroon Program
• Work with the Cameroon Finance Director to monitor and track project budgets
• As requested by the WCS-Cameroon Country Director, represent WCS at meetings on a national and international level
• Maintain good relationships with existing national and international NGOs and technical partners in-country, national delegation offices of bilateral and multi-lateral donors, and foster, where possible, the participation of existing and new partners in relevant aspects of program implementation and strategy development.

Minimum Requirements:

• An advanced degree in wildlife biology, anthropology, conservation, or another field relevant to the position’s responsibilities
• At least three years’ experience working in a conservation management or policy position, with experience in Cameroon or Central Africa a distinct advantage
• Experience in large project or program management, personnel management, administration, and fundraising
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Proven ability to work effectively and flourish in a multi-cultural team
• Results-focused attitude to work
• Excellent, fluent spoken and written English and French
• Willingness and ability to travel to field offices in Cameroon
• Interest in wildlife conservation and committed to the WCS mission