North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape Director

North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape Director WCS - Wildlife Conservation Society Yaoundé, Garoua Both national and international Senior level Speaks English, French Closed Apply Summary by Impactpool The North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape Director is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver conservation gains and community benefits. This role involves strategic development, coordination, and administrative and financial management of activities in the landscape. The Director will engage with government and local partners, oversee project management, and ensure safety and security standards are upheld. The position requires strong leadership, project management skills, and a commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusivity. Candidate Requirements: Job Description Position title:                          North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex Landscape Director Reports to:                              Country Director, Cameroon Country Program/Sector:     Cameroon Position Type:                        Full Time Location:                                Garoua, Cameroon Internal liaison:                     All teams in Northern Cameroon and Sena Oura National Park, Chad Reports to:                             Country Director Cameroon Coordinates with:                  Various departments of the WCS North Cameroon program and Chad – Sena Oura Program, WCS Cameroon offices, WCS Chad offices, WCS Sudano-Sahel Regional Team Expected travel:                     Frequent travel to the National parks and within the wider region Context The Wildlife Conservation Society works to safeguard wildlife and natural habitats through rigorous scientific research, an international environmental education programme and the management of the world's largest network of urban wildlife parks. These activities help to change people's attitudes towards nature and aim to promote viable and sustainable interaction between people and wildlife at local and global levels. WCS has been operating in Cameroon since 1985. Through its partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) WCS supports the Government of Cameroon to protect its biodiversity in four protected areas across the country. Currently, the WCS Cameroon programme is working on three main landscapes, namely the Takamanda-Mone Technical Operational Unit (UTO), the Mbam and Djerem National Park, and the Binational Complex of the Benoué, Bouba-Ndjida (Cameroon) and Sena Oura (Chad) National Parks.  WCS Cameroon has three offices and employs 274 persons, 96% of whom are Cameroonian nationals. Approximately 200 persons are currently employed in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex landscape. WCS signed an agreement with the government of Chad in February 2023, which includes the provision of technical support in areas such as the conservation of wildlife, forests and fisheries. This includes the management of protected areas, such as Sena-Oura National Park, and the establishment of a number of projects to protect and study specific populations of charismatic large wildlife. WCS started working in the North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex in 2013 to install protections for wildlife. Since 2016, WCS has acted in a technical advisory capacity to MINFOF in the management of the protected areas in the landscape. This involves providing support to the management units of Bouba Ndjidda National Park (BNNP) and Bénoué National Park (BNP).  Bouba Njidda National Park covers 220,000 hectares, and is surrounded by seven hunting zones totaling 500,000 hectares of Protected Areas. It also includes Bénoué National Park, composed of a core area of 180,000 hectares and fourteen hunting zones extending over 1,047,874 hectares. Importantly, the largest program in WCS Cameroon’s portfolio is North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex, that extends from Bouba Ndjidda into Chad’s 73,500 hectare Sena Oura National Park. This transboundary project and its field team are managed from WCS’s office in Garoua in coordination with WCS offices in Pala (Chad) and N’Djamena (Chad).  The approach of WCS in North Cameroon/Chad Binational Complex is designed to preserve ecological connectivity between the various conservation units. Current activities focus on supporting law enforcement in teams consisting of WCS, and Chadian and Cameroonian government agencies; monitoring of various large mammal species; provision of management support to the government; infrastructure development to facilitate the movement and accommodation of field teams; and community conservation to provide benefits to local communities and reduce pressure on the parks. 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 benfits.  The Landscape Director is responsible for the implementation, strategic development, coordination and administrative and financial management of activities in the North Cameroon/Chad Bionational 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 appoximately 200 persons 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. Particpate in weekly senior management meetings, providing updates on