Job Purpose

WCS is seeking a Landscape Director who can inspire, lead, build, and support a large multidisciplinary team to deliver conservation gains and community benefits.  The Landscape Director is responsible for the implementation, strategic development, coordination, and administrative and financial management of activities in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape. This position requires leadership and management skills, as well as diplomacy and close coordination and collaboration with government agents, traditional authorities, and partners.

Responsibilities

Team leadership and Management

• Lead and manage a team of approximately 200 people in Cameroon and Chad, providing guidance and support, and fostering a cohesive and motivated work environment.
• Inspire team members and cultivate a shared vision for conservation success.
• Build a diverse, gender-balanced, and inclusive workforce.
• Work with the Country Director, HR Manager, Finance and Administration Director, and Programme Manager to develop and maintain a functional organisational structure in the landscape.
• Serve as an active member of the WCS Cameroon Senior Management Team, contributing to overall organisational strategy and decision-making. Participate in weekly senior management meetings, providing updates on landscape activities, challenges, and opportunities.

Representation and stakeholder relationships

• Frequently engage with government and local partners, maintain strong partnerships with key institutions in the landscape, and engage with traditional authorities and community representatives to create awareness to promote wildlife conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and conflict resolution
• Work with the Country Director, Finance and Administration Director, and Programme Manager to ensure donors are consulted and kept informed on developments and progress in the landscape.

Strategic planning and programme development

• Work closely with the Country Director, Programme Manager, and Deputy Landscape Director to review the strategic approach used in the landscape and prepare the landscape for future fundraising opportunities.
• Contribute to the drafting of proposals for the development of projects in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape
• Work in collaboration with the WCS Cameroon Country Director, WCS Chad Country Representative and the Sudano-Sahel Regional team to improve WCS intervention strategies, advise on development priorities and plan innovative and sustainable activities.

Programme oversight and operations

• Oversee the coordination and management of projects in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape portfolio.
• Work with the Deputy Landscape Director and staff to ensure the development of work plans, reports, budgets, procurement plans and other project outputs for effective implementation of activities
• Work with the Logistics Director to oversee efficient planning and quick execution of all field operations to support conservation activities, avoid interruptions, and ensure procurement policies and financial-administrative procedures follow internal and donor requirements.
• Work with the Finance and Administration Director, Programme Manager, Landscape Finance Manager, and technical department heads to ensure high-quality and timely financial and technical planning and delivery of projects is guaranteed, and donor requirements are met.
• Oversee the work of the anti-poaching, community conservation, biomonitoring, aviation, logistics, and communications departments and ensure departments plan, coordinate, budget, and report in line with WCS and donor requirements.

Security and safeguards

• Ensure the highest standards of safety and security are introduced and maintained for all WCS staff, partners, and associates in the field in adherence with WCS Code of Conduct.
• Ensure the highest human rights standards are respected and promoted by all staff members and partners in adherance with WCS Code of Conduct.

Qualification Requirements

• Strong programme and project management skills based on at least  5 years’ experience in a relevant role
• Good understanding of conservation opportunities and challenges within the Sudano-Sahel region
• Master’s degree (or higher) in conservation, natural resource management or any other field relevant to conservation in Africa
• Experience of working on complex multi-disciplinary conservation projects, preferably in the field (experience in the Sudan-Sahel region would be an advantage)
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams and managing several major activities simultaneously, proven ability to achieve the targets and objectives of several projects/strategies.
• Experience in managing large international project portfolios funded by various donors with several project partners
• Solid experience in technical, logistical, and financial project management (planning, budgets, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation)
• Strong commitment to promoting gender equality and creating an inclusive work environment
• Excellent open and effective communication skills, in French and English (verbal and written).
• Proven team management and leadership skills
• Ability and willingness to live and work in a multicultural environment in remote areas, under difficult field conditions.