Job opportunity : Primate Monitoring Officer

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cameroon is looking for a Primate Monitoring Officer Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working with WWF could be the opportunity of a lifetime: All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge. Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and nature. What we do: We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. WWF Network has moved to the development and the implementation of 9 Practices with Global Goals to be achieved. For our Cameroon Country Office Kudu Zombo Programme, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Primate Monitoring Officer. Reports to: Kudu Zombo Programme Executant Supervises: n/a Location: Dipikar Island (gorilla habituation site) in Campo Ma'an National Park, with periodic missions to Campo. Duration: two (02) years Mission of the Department As part of the implementation of biodiversity conservation activities within the Kudu Zombo cross-border landscape, the programme is developing specific actions to protect great apes, particularly gorillas. To this end, a structured process of habituating groups of gorillas is being carried out in order to enable, in the long term, the collection of reliable scientific data, long-term ecological monitoring and the controlled development of responsible ecotourism activities. The habituation process is a sensitive and strategic step. It requires rigorous planning, a constant technical presence in the field, and strict supervision of the tracking teams and technical staff. The aim is to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals, the safety of staff, compliance with scientific ethical protocols, gradual and controlled approach to the target groups. Given the biological, operational and reputational issues associated with this process, it is essential to have strong leadership capable of ensuring effective team coordination, compliance with technical standards, risk management and the regular production of high-quality reports to guide decision-making. Major Functions The Primate Monitoring Officer is responsible for supervising and coordinating all activities related to behavioural, health and spatial monitoring of gorilla groups undergoing habituation. He/she oversees the collection of relevant data, supervises field teams and implements scientific habituation protocols, including the management of gorilla habituation camps. Major Duties and Responsibilities: • Coordinate daily habituation activities for targeted gorilla groups. • Supervise teams of trackers and habituation assistants. • Actively participate in field trips to observe gorilla behaviour and monitor their tolerance level to human presence. • Implement protocols for collecting behavioural, health and location data. • Ensure the quality and analysis of the data collected (via GPS, cyber tracker, physical observation sheets, photos, videos, sound, etc.). • Produce regular reports on the progress of the habituation process. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cameroon is looking for a Primate Monitoring Officer • Work closely with veterinarians, ecologists and other specialists to ensure comprehensive monitoring. • Identify potential risks (stress, disease, aggression) and propose mitigation measures. • Design and implement a protocol for managing gorilla habituation camps. • Train and build the capacity of local team members. • Provide technical management of trackers in the gorilla habituation programme. • Ensure that equipment is available for fieldwork, planning its allocation as required. • Ensure the management, security and proper use of all technical and scientific equipment made available to them, in collaboration with the logistics and maintenance assistant. Profile: Required Qualifications: • Minimum qualification: four-year degree in biology, natural resource management, conservation, database design and management, protected area management or related subjects. • At least 4 years of practical experience in primate monitoring or habituation (ideally gorillas). • Proven experience in processing photos and videos from camera traps or other wildlife monitoring studies. Required Skills and Competencies: • Familiarity with GIS analysis (particularly ArcGIS or QGIS). • Proven skills in statistics and data analysis (Excel, other relevant software). • Database design and management, protected area management or related field. • Proven skills in behavioural observation and ethology. • Good physical condition for sometimes demanding field activities. • Ability to work in remote areas and under difficult conditions. • Knowledge of geolocation tools (GPS, GIS) and databases. • Organisational skills, scientific rigour and team spirit. WWF’s Values & behaviors: • Able to demonstrate WWF behaviors in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly. • Aligns and identifies with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration. Working relations Internally: Works closely with the interns/volunteers in the field of ecological monitoring in the field, as well as with the regional biom