Conservation Director

_Posted on_ December, 19 2024_

Kinshasa, DRC

**Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your 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.
**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.
Our conservation programme in DRC is one of the largest in Africa and includes field programmes in Lake Tumba Landscape, in and around Salonga National Park, in the Kongo Central as well as in the eastern part of the country. The field work is complemented by thematic programmes ranging from Sustainable Forest Management, Climate Change, species’ conservation, combatting illegal wildlife trade, energy, infrastructure and governance.
**Contract type**:fixed term (2 years renewable)

**Mission**:
Develop and lead the national conservation strategy and agenda of WWF DRC so that it is both highly influential in national civil society, and government entities and able to shape the sustainability agenda domestically, and consistent with the work of the Global Practices and WWF’s global conservation goals. Coordinate WWF partnerships locally to achieve greater conservation impact across the network.
**Main function and responsibilities**:
**A.**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);
- Establish linkages between WWF’s vision and conservation objectives of the DRC Government as well as those of the donor community;
- Ensure thorough planning for the implementation of WWF DRC’s Conservation Strategy is developed, maintained and respected, and that “lessons learned” are available for future reference and use by the WWF;
**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;
**C.**Fundraising and Partnerships**:

- 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 DRC’s donor base;
- Ensure technical backstopping for the development of big programmatic proposals;
**D.**Policy and Advocacy**
- 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 on Policy dialogues and influence in various areas both with the WWF Network, DRC institutions and with regional institutions (AfDB, COMIFAC, ECCAS, etc.);
**What you need**:
**Required Qualifications**:

- Post-graduate degree in Environmental/Conservation science or practice, environmental policy, forestry, international development or related field of study;
- At least 10 years’ experience in a senior conservation leadership role;
- Proven knowledge and experience of human rights, community-based approaches to Conservation, and environmental and social safeguards;
- Experience building good working relationships with local and international partners, including government authorities, NGOs, technical partners, and bi-lateral and multilateral donors is highly desirable;
- Program management skills must include i) program planning, ii) technical direction and oversight;
- Position requires excellent communication skills, both oral and written English and French (required).

**Required skills and competences**:

- Good understanding of DRC natural resource management related plans and programmes. Diplomatic and multi-cultural skills;
- The aptitude for ‘leading through influence’ and a management style focused on enabling others.
- Experience of working in an international, matrix