13-Apr-2025

Central Africa

Global Conservation Full-Time

GLOBAL CONSERVATION

Job Description

Position: Park Manager
Reports to: Country Director-WCS Central African Republic
Positions Managed: Site HR officer, Technical Services Manager, Manager, Infrastructure Manager, Technical Manager.
Location: Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, CAR
Country Program/Sector: Central Africa Republic
Position Type: Full-time
Scope/Capacity: Site
Coordinates with: Sudano Sahel region’s Management, Director of Programs, Finance and Administration Director, Country Director, and Head of Department

About the Organization Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a U.S. non-profit, tax-exempt private organization established in 1895. It saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit both nature and humanity. With over a century of experience, long-term commitments in numerous landscapes, a presence in more than 60 nations, and expertise in establishing over 150 protected areas worldwide, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships necessary to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. By collaborating with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to tackle species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues crucial for enhancing the quality of life for poor rural populations whose livelihoods rely on the direct utilization of natural resources.

About the Sudan-Sahel region
The Sudano-Sahel Region presents unparalleled opportunities for WCS to play a direct role in saving some of the last remaining intact wildernesses on the planet and to contribute significantly to the The security of people and wildlife is paramount. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key resources. populations of endangered elephant, northern giraffe, lion, eland, chimpanzee, gorilla, bongo, and the second-largest antelope migration on the planet. Hundreds of bird species occur in the area, including the shoebill and the crowned crane. Communities also depend on the land for their livelihoods through pastoralism, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a significant presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, with a strong conservation history and a proven track record of success in protected area management. WCS currently has conservation initiatives in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and the CAR. We work actively to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, enhance anti-trafficking activities, and implement our policy and scientific programs.

About the Central African Republic Program:
WCS has recently launched a private-public partnership program with the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) for management of the northern CAR protected area complex. This is a multi-faceted, long-term program entailing park management, law enforcement and community engagement. The CAR program is funded through various high-level donors with multiple ongoing projects overlapping, notably from the EU and UNESCO.

Job Purpose:
We are seeking a Park Manager with protected area management experience to ensure the effective protection and conservation of BBNP and its wildlife while helping to improve economic and social benefits to the surrounding community and the government of the CAR.
The Park Manager will be responsible for the operational and logistical management of the Bamingui Bangoran National Park and its surrounding protected areas, including infrastructure development & maintenance, fleet (vehicle/aircraft/boats / etc.) management, logistics, law enforcement, and conservation activities. This job is a full-time position based in the Bamingui Bangoran National Park.

Major Responsibilities

Personnel Management:

• Provide leadership to the Bamingui Bangoran National Park team, especially the leadership team, and collaborators, fostering staff motivation and high-quality performance to ensure the team achieves impact and promotes an inclusive work environment.

• Lead conservation, operations, and administration (including human resources) of the Bamingui Bangoran National Park.

• Manage and support the development of technical and financial reports related to the Bamingui Bangoran National Park, ensuring compliance with WCS SOP, donors' requirements, legal contracts, and budgets.

• Train and manage a leadership team that will command and control anti-poaching and law enforcement operations (including the Control Room and ranger patrols).

• Coordinate operations with the Transhumance and Socioeconomic Development team.

• Facilitate communication between the Park management team, across projects, and with headquarters in Bangui, to keep the management team updated.

• Oversee personnel movement, flight itineraries, and communications with aerial staff.

• Build and maintain collaborative relations and platforms with the local authorities.

Site Management:

• Lead the Bamingui Bangoran National Park team regarding park and infrastructure management, conservation, operations, and administration (anti-poaching, monitoring, human resources, budgeting, reporting, etc.).

• Oversee that all field operations activities are conducted according to WCS policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Develop and implement an integrated, systematic field operations plan and budget aligned with the Northeastern CAR Protected Areas Program.

• Maintain a basic operational base well suited for warehouses, communications equipment, a control room, a small workshop, accommodation facilities, offices, and additional areas as needed.

• Maintain all-weather access roads connecting the existing park road network to the operational base, and ensure the logistical backbone, particularly throughout the wet season.

• Any other duties as requested by the CAR Country Director.

• Implement the Action plan to withdraw the Park from the World Heritage in Dange.r

• Prepare and submit for approval the Park's annual work plans and budgets.

• Ensure that all contracts and agreements related to the Park are followed

• Ensure timely reporting of all grants covering the Park, and in compliance with donor regulations to WCS donors.

• Build and maintain good relationships with local authorities and other local partners.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum Requirements and Job Skills (Required)

• A master’s degree (or higher education level) in conservation, natural resource management, or other relevant field experience in African conservation.

• Significant experience in protected area management (at least 5 years) in Africa, experience in Central Africa is highly preferred.

• Experience managing international donor-funded projects, with multiple project partners and diverse project elements preferred.

• Proven experience managing a dynamic team across different departments.

• Experience in wildlife law enforcement is required.

• Practical skills and experience in developing infrastructure and monitoring systems.

• Initiative – must be able to get things done and solve problems with minimal support.

• French language fluency required. English and/or Sango skills are also desired.

• Good communication skills and strong team leadership.

• Proven experience in capacity building relationships with partners.

• Proven ability to live and work in a remote, multicultural environment under difficult field conditions.

• Excellent computer skills and various office applications.

• Demonstrated high-level competency in writing and editing of professional reports and other written products.
  

• How to apply
  Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience should apply through the application tab by April 23^rd, 2025.
  
  Please send a detailed application/cover letter and a detailed CV. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
  
  WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share the same values.
  
  
  WCS is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all employment and labour laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate against employment based on age, colour, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.
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Salary Range

Competitive salary commensurate with experience