Nyungwe Project Director Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS seeks a field conservationist and manager to run our USAID-funded project supporting park management, education, and tourism in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Nyungwe (with the adjoining Kibira Forest in Burundi) is a spectacular 1,000 km² montane forest with globally important populations of chimps, monkeys and other wildlife, excellent facilities, and a growing ecotourism industry. WCS assists the Government of Rwanda with management planning, biological and law-enforcement monitoring, community education and development, and the stewarding of ecosystem services. The Nyungwe Project Director oversees a staff of 35 and an annual budget of about $1.5 million, based from WCS’s fine project headquarters in Gisakura, and also acts as Chief of Party for the core USAID grant, overseeing workplanning and reporting. This is a superb opportunity to build park management and grant implementation experience in a truly exquisite setting with excellent partners and support.

WCS saves wildlife and wild lands through careful science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks. These activities change attitudes toward nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in sustainable interaction on both a local and a global scale. WCS is committed to this work because we believe it essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

WCS has a long history working in Rwanda and since 1994 has worked to rebuild infrastructure and financing required for effective conservation, to restore biodiversity in mountain forest protected areas, assess and survey wildlife populations, and educate the public about conservation. Pressures resulting from human activities are the greatest threat to Rwandan wildlife, therefore WCS is helping local communities find alternative, more sustainable sources of income. WCS has been instrumental in developing ecotourism activities as a way to generate revenue and employment for local people in Rwanda and the appeal of Rwanda as a safe, well governed country has certainly lead to increased interest in its destinations from international as well as regional-based tourists. WCS assisted the Rwandan government in the creation of Nyungwe National Park (NNP), advising on park management, promoting various tourist attractions, building infrastructure and encouraging transboundary collaboration with Kibira National Park in Burundi.

Job Title: Nyungwe Project Director

Location: Gisakura, Rwanda with shorter periods to be spent in Kigali, Rwanda.

Reports to: WCS Rwanda Country Director

Position Summary: The Nyungwe Project Director will oversee the implementation of project activities and supervise project staff, partners and management systems in and around Nyungwe National Park.

Key Responsibilities: The Nyungwe Project Director will:

· Maintain collaboration with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to manage and protect Nyungwe National Park.

· In coordination with the WCS Country Director, assure the execution of all Program activities in the field.

· Develop a joint plan of activities to support conservation in Nyungwe National Park in collaboration with the wardens and other partners.

· Work with the WCS Country Director and the Africa Program in New York to prepare proposals that will supplement funding for WCS activities in Rwanda.

· Prepare, with the WCS Country Director, the Finance Manager and other field staff required monthly, quarterly and annual reports, including where necessary budgets and Program activity performance indicators.

· Advise on chimpanzee habituation and ecotourism quality monitoring as well as other primate viewing opportunities.

· Lead the process of development of “Best Practices” guidelines for great apes (Chimp & gorilla) based ecotourism development and its implementation by RDB.

· Lead guide training initiatives.

· Ensure good management and maintenance of WCS properties at his/her disposal (Vehicle, computer, etc...).

· Assist the Country Director and other staff with the development, implementation, and review of strategic plans for the project and the national program.

· Lead and motivate the project to consistently achieve high standards of performance and establish procedures and responsibilities for attaining organisational targets and objectives.

· Ensure that the organisational culture is based on performance measurement, accountability, transparency and goal achievement in order to ensure that organisational objectives are achieved.

· Provide leadership in the establishment of strategic partnerships with stakeholders, in order to ensure that conservation objectives are met.

· Provide oversight of field staff activities, reporting and logistics for the Nyungwe project.

Experience and Skills required:

· Experience with management of biodiversity conservation projects, including USAID awards, as well as funds from other public and private donors.

· Experience and skills in technical areas related to the project might include: wildlife ecology research methods, natural resource management, GIS and land use planning and/or protected area management, community education and outreach.

· Strong management and interpersonal skills, ability to work with people at all levels in a multicultural setting.

· The candidate would require a postgraduate degree in biology or related subject and at least 5 years experience working in similar field, preferably in Africa. Fluency in English is essential and knowledge of French an advantage.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send cover letter and CV to Graeme Patterson at: gpatterson@wcs.org , with copies to Pamela Watim (pwatim@wcs.org ) and Mandy Tshibangu (mtshibangu@wcs.org ). This should include description of your salary history and salary expectations in this position. Please include the following in your email subject line: yoursurname>. If you have particular specific questions about the position please email Graeme Patterson (and include your CV).

There is no application deadline for this posting - it will remain open until filled and therefore we very much encourage prompt response to this advertisement.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from diversity candidates.