Country Director, Madagascar
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Posted on Jun 13, 2026
Job Description
Position: Country Director, WCS Madagascar
Reports to: Regional Director, EAMWIO
Positions Managed: SMT & Senior Technical Manager: Deputy Director Terrestrial Conservation, Deputy Director Program Development and Partnerships, Landscape & Seascape Director, Finance Director, Science & Research Senior Manager, Northwest Seascape Senior Manager, Logistics and Procurement Coordinator, Country HR Manager, REDD+ & Government Liaison Advisor.
Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Country Program/Sector: WCS Madagascar
Position Type: Full-time, Part-time
Scope Capacity: Country
Coordinates with: WCS Regional team (Director, HR, Thematic leads), Global Resources and Grants, Management & Compliance
Organisational Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organisation established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organisations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilisation of natural resources.
Job Purpose:
The Country Program Director will oversee the country program's implementation and oversight. The Director will lead the development and management of WCS’s Madagascar conservation program in line with the WCS 2030 and WCS Regional 2025 strategies.
S/he will provide leadership and guidance for overall strategic and program planning, and budgeting processes for the Madagascar Country Program and will ensure development and timely, effective and impactful implementation of strategic plans at the national, sub-national and site-based levels.
The Country Director will also ensure that senior management teams can operate with effective functioning financial and administrative systems and adequate internal control between the WCS-East African, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean Regional office, WCS Madagascar Country Office and WCS Madagascar field offices.
S/he will engage with Government agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, as well as private organisations, to align support (financial, organisational, and technical) for WCS Madagascar
Major Responsibilities:
Strategic planning and program development
Minimum Requirements and Job Skills:
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience should apply through the application tab below by June 22nd, 2026.
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, and the organisation 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 engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organisation provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organisation does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, colour, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS-sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
The organisation complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
Salary Range
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Position: Country Director, WCS Madagascar
Reports to: Regional Director, EAMWIO
Positions Managed: SMT & Senior Technical Manager: Deputy Director Terrestrial Conservation, Deputy Director Program Development and Partnerships, Landscape & Seascape Director, Finance Director, Science & Research Senior Manager, Northwest Seascape Senior Manager, Logistics and Procurement Coordinator, Country HR Manager, REDD+ & Government Liaison Advisor.
Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Country Program/Sector: WCS Madagascar
Position Type: Full-time, Part-time
Scope Capacity: Country
Coordinates with: WCS Regional team (Director, HR, Thematic leads), Global Resources and Grants, Management & Compliance
Organisational Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organisation established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organisations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilisation of natural resources.
Job Purpose:
The Country Program Director will oversee the country program's implementation and oversight. The Director will lead the development and management of WCS’s Madagascar conservation program in line with the WCS 2030 and WCS Regional 2025 strategies.
S/he will provide leadership and guidance for overall strategic and program planning, and budgeting processes for the Madagascar Country Program and will ensure development and timely, effective and impactful implementation of strategic plans at the national, sub-national and site-based levels.
The Country Director will also ensure that senior management teams can operate with effective functioning financial and administrative systems and adequate internal control between the WCS-East African, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean Regional office, WCS Madagascar Country Office and WCS Madagascar field offices.
S/he will engage with Government agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, as well as private organisations, to align support (financial, organisational, and technical) for WCS Madagascar
Major Responsibilities:
Strategic planning and program development
- Develop and deliver Program strategic planning that addresses WCS regional, thematic and global priorities, while adapting to the social, political and ecological landscapes of Madagascar.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with bilateral and multilateral government aid agencies, foundations, and individuals to mobilise financial resources for the WCS Madagascar program.
- Building of strategic partnerships and implementing the resource mobilisation strategy
- Ensure the development and oversight of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation and Learning approach to program implementation.
- Ensure appropriate and effective communications reflecting WCS regional, thematic and global priorities, including representing WCS in meetings with internal stakeholders and Government, technical and financial partners.
- Represent WCS to external donors and stakeholders as appropriate.
- Advocacy and promotion of WCS’s mandate and mission
- Ensure that WCS Madagascar programs and/or projects address the country program strategic orientation in harmony with stated WCS regional and global conservation goals and objectives relating to site-based, species-based, and thematic issues.
- Ensure that field teams, as needed, are supported with the development and implementation of integrated annual work plans.
- Ensure Senior Technical Staff are well supported and coordinated with Regional Staff in preparing funding proposals and donor reporting as required.
- Supervise, or ensure appropriate delegation to senior management and technical team members, support to field staff to reinforce their technical and management capacity; Ensure the annual performance reviews; Approve short-term specialists - expatriate and local - and ensure their supervision by a member of the Madagascar team.
- Support national HR managers and liaise with regional HR staff in recruiting staff – including developing/approving Terms of Reference, and the screening, interviewing, selection and onboarding of new staff.
Minimum Requirements and Job Skills:
- Minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent with commensurate experience managing complex institutions, with expertise in the conservation, natural resource management and/or development sectors.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in protected areas or natural resources management, sustainable conservation, and/or other environmental assistance or related work in developing countries.
- Proven knowledge and experience with government agencies or government relations, and knowledge of international conservation policy issues (including environmental treaties).
- Proven ability to build capacity and direct initiatives in community-driven natural resource management, field research, conservation biology, conservation advocacy, and project management.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain an extensive network of high-level contacts with government officials, multi-lateral and bilateral technical and financial partners; demonstrate tact and negotiation skills to achieve common objectives.
- Experience in managing a growing portfolio and balancing growth with capacity.
- Fluent in English and French.
- Interest in conservation and committed to the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society
- Experience working in other countries in the region strongly preferred. Salary level commensurate with experience.
- Experience managing multilateral and bilateral funded projects (such as European Union, AFD, KFW and USAID) is desirable.
- Professional proficiency in the language(s) of the country.
- Expected travel: Up to 30-35% of time, as and when required to WCS field sites, regional office (when outside country program) and internationally, when required.
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience should apply through the application tab below by June 22nd, 2026.
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, and the organisation 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 engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organisation provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organisation does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, colour, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS-sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
The organisation complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
Salary Range
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
