Mission:

The Programme Manager supports the delivery of transformational and lasting conservation impact by building and leading WWF – CAR’s Conservation Programme, ensuring coherent integration of thematic and geographical programmes as presented in the Country Strategic Plan. He/she provides advice to the CAR Country Director on pertinent conservation issues in the country. He/she leads the tactical direction of CAR’s Conservation Agenda in partnership with key international, governmental and local partners. He/she will engage with Central African local civil society to support them in taking ownership of the future of the natural capital management. By doing so, he/she will facilitate the further embedding of WWF – CAR in the Central African civil society, thus, enhancing our relevancy to conservation and rural development work in the country.

Working closely with the Country Director, he/she supports the engagement with multilateral and bilateral institutions to influence the policies around key conservation issues. He/she also mediates the WWF network’s engagement (through Practices) to maintain the alignment of WWF – CAR critical contributions to the WWF Global Goals.

Main function and responsibilities:
Conservation Strategy Development and Implementation
Lead the development/implementation of the Country Conservation strategy and programme designs and ensure alignment with WWF’s Global Goals, and Africa Regional Strategy.
Lead in the development and management of a holistic programme and ensure strong coordination between the different strategic (thematic) pillars and the geographical programmes (landscapes).
Ensure active participation of WWF’s partners in the Conservation Programme and its development as well as strengthening partners’ capacities in pre-identified areas.
Develop synergies between WWF’s partners to ensure experience sharing and strengthen lobby / advocacy capacity at national level.
Liaise with the FTNS leaders and within the Network to gather information relevant to the development and implementation of the Conservation Strategic Plan and its component programs/projects; and
Coordinate with WWF National Offices and partners on Conservation related issues (policy, advocacy, programmatic) and concerns, facilitating effective working relationships and ensuring “one voice” from the network to strengthen the governance of the natural capital in CAR.
Ensure WWF-CAR representation in strategic technical internal and external Conservation forums.
Ensure thorough planning for the implementation of WWF – CAR’s Conservation Strategy is developed, maintained and respected, and that “lessons learned” are available for future reference and use by the WWF.
Establish linkages between WWF’s vision and conservation objectives of the CAR Government as well as those of the donor community.
Stay on top of the development of conservation and development trends (Nature-based solutions, and Carbon market/financing) and inform colleagues and partners of new conservation initiatives, approaches, strategies, etc. for better integration into the WWF – CAR programmatic strategy.
Coordinate the preparation of strategic documents, guidelines, and other materials required to guide the conservation vision of the WWF – CAR programme.
In line with the WWF CAR Strategic Plan, develops annual Conservation Program work plans and budgets with clear priorities and KPIs for WWF CAR, and ensures their efficient implementation.
B**. Programme Accountability, Monitoring and Evaluation:**

Manage Performance and build capacity of Programme/Project managers, and provides technical advice as appropriate.

Through supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager (MEL), ensure regular on-site visits to monitor project alignment and implementation progress.

Ensure planning of thematic programmes are maintained and respected by working closely with the Programme/Project managers, and compile lessons learned for future reference and use by the WWF.

Ensure necessary human resources are in place to deliver on the Conservation Strategy by coordinating the elaboration of job descriptions and terms of reference for new conservation staff and consultants with Programme/Project managers and participate in recruitment processes.

Ensure the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework is embedded in the WWF-CAR Conservation delivery across landscapes.

Contribute to the development of the WWF – CAR annual operational plan, the preparation of annual budgets and other reports to submit to the regional office (WWF-ROA), donors and to CAR offices.

Ensure project/programme resources are responsibly managed.

Provide advice to the Country Director on pertinent conservation issues, technical input in strategic documents and other ad hoc advice and assistance as needed.

In collaboration with practice leaders, ensure leadership and accountability for the WWF– CAR overall critical contributions delivery in line with the Network’s Global Goals.

C. Fundraising and Partnership

Support the Fundraising, Communications, and Partnership Manager, Fundraising Officer, and the Country Director in fundraising through provision and development of transformational project ideas.

Contribute to critical relationship building with financial and political partners to ensure influencing policy and enhancing WWF – CAR’s donor base.

Ensure technical backstopping for the development of big programmatic proposals.

Support the promotion of new funding models and their integration into the conservation approach

D. Policy and Partnership

Support the Country Director in liaising with donors and strategic governmental partners through different ministries to contribute to policy changes and improvements.
Advise the Country Director i Policy dialogues and influence in various areas both with the WWF Network, CAR institutions and with regional institutions.
Contribute to the building of the next generation of conservationists focusing on youth and women and supporting the promotion of the human rights integration in WWF-CAR conservation approaches.
Support the development of Jurisdictional programmes (Green Economy) in CAR.
Reporting

Ensures timely technical and financial reporting to donors, the Country Director, and all relevant parts of the WWF Network, as required and according to agreed standards;
Coordinates with the Finance Manager to ensure that the latter posts all technical and financial reports and other relevant documents onto the WWF Project Database; and
Cooperates with programmatic audits, and implements audit recommendations in a timely manner.
E. Others

Ensure that the supervised staff perform according to their JDs;
Give support/ advice to supervised staff;
Perform periodic assessments to ensure performance;
Perform other duties if required.

What you need:
Required Qualifications:

More than 10 years of professional experience of which at least 5 years in a management role in Central Africa, with demonstrated success in managing multidisciplinary teams;
Minimum Master's degree in an environmental/conservation field. An additional university degree and training in business management, international relations/development or other related fields would be a great advantage;
Proven track record in developing, leading and managing large-scale programs and/or institutions in conservation, natural resource management, international development and/or other related fields;
A proven leader with experience leading and managing conservation programs in Congo and the region, including cross-border conservation programs;
Good knowledge and understanding of conservation priorities and programs in the sub-region and in Africa
Excellent communication oral and written skills in French and English.
Required skills and competences:

Strong leadership and management skills;
Excellent planning and organizational skills;
Demonstrated skills in project planning, proposal writing, financial management, implementation, evaluation and experience working with donors;
Strong professional interest in nature conservation.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, within WWF and, as required, with external stakeholders;
Ability to work under pressure;
Ability to conduct a multidisciplinary team and to work within a multicultural environment;
Dynamic, Availability, integrity, honesty. integrity, responsive disposition;
Open, adaptable, team spirit;
Ability to undertake frequent field trips;
Adherence to WWF’s values: Courage, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration.
Proven leadership and team management skills;
Fluency in English and French;

Please send your resume/CV