Community Development Officer

Community Development Officer for its Jengi Tri-Nationale de la Sangha (TNS) Program

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Cameroon Country Programme Office is looking for a Community Development Officer to contribute to the goal of its Jengi TNS Program. In 1995, Government declared the area that is now the Lobéké National Park in South-East Cameroon as an "essential zone of protection." It became part of the South East Technical Operational Unit (UTO / SE), It was integrated into the Tri-National Sangha (TNS) landscape following the signature of the transboundary cooperation agreement on December 7, 2000 by the Governments of the Republic of Cameroon, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. In 2001, Government classified the ZEP as the Lobéké National Park (LNP). WWF has maintained effective presence in the area since 1995, when it created the Jengi Southeast Forest Programme. Eventually the Program evolved into the present Jengi Tri-Nationale de la Sangha (TNS) Program that supports the LNP and its peripheral zone in wildlife conservation, contributing to the well-being of local populations and sustainable management of natural resources through a landscape approach in partnership with the Ministry Forestry and Wildlife, the Fondation pour le Tri-national de la Sangha (FTNS) and others. FTNS supports the LNP and its peripheral zone through the following annual work programs:

Program 1: Administration and Infrastructural Development
Program 2: Protection
Program 3: Participatory management and sustainable development
Program 4: Research, ecological and socioeconomic monitoring
Program 5: Transboundary cooperation

The CDO will lead delivery in Program 3, and support the achievement of the overall mission of the Jengi Tri-Nationale de la Sangha (TNS) Program as needed. Consistent WWF Cameroon vision of a future with healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity supporting people and driving sustainable development in Cameroon, the Jengi Tri-Nationale de la Sangha (TNS) Program has as mission to stop biodiversity decline, reverse the negative trend and contribute to improvement in the living conditions of the local communities and indigenous peoples (Baka).

Location: Mambele, Cameroon

Duration: 01 years, renewable

Major functions:

The major function of Community Development Officer (CDO) is to provide technical support to local communities and Baka Indigenous people for their sustainable development. The CDO is expected to raise awareness on conservation of local people and stakeholders, and secure their commitment to sustainable natural resource management and active participation in the management of the Lobeke National Park (LNP) and the Jengi TNS landscape.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Lead delivery to the highest possible standard of all the outputs of the FTNS-supported Program 3.
Assist in raising local community awareness and participation in conservation issues and project related activities through:
Providing technical support to the implementation of the MoU between MINFOF and ASBABUK that recognize and protect indigenous Baka peoples right within LNP and its peripheries;
Following up the implementation by Civil Society Organisation of an independent complaint mechanism to enable Local Communities and Baka Indigenous Peoples (IPLC) access to appropriate redress options;
Providing technical support to IPLC in acquiring and managing community forests and community hunting zones and in implementing an equitable benefit sharing mechanism;
Organisation of IPLC to sustain their active participation /contribution to the surveillance-control system in fighting against illegal exploitation of wildlife in Lobeke National Park (LNP) and their surrounding zones;
Providing technical and organisational assistance to IPLC to develop and implement income generating activities;
Providing technical support to IPLC for their informed and active participation in the management committee of LNP.
Provide technical assistance to the conservator or his assistant in the management of community zone of LNP
Provide technical assistance to IPLC and councils in sustainable management of wildlife and forest royalties
Collect relevant data for socio-economic monitoring
Under the supervision of the Project Manager, ensure the project's compliance with technical and financial reporting and monitoring/evaluation requirements

What you need:

Required Qualifications

University degree in social science or related area with an exposure to conservation and natural resources management
Minimum 5 years of experience in relevant field with strong background in participatory rural appraisal methodologies

Required Skills and Competencies

Good knowledge of national forestry laws and policies
Experience in working in or with local communities and indigenous peoples
Working experience in the forest region of Cameroon will be an advantage
Management experience and excellent communication skills;
Fluency in written and spoken French and working knowledge of English;
Computer-literacy

Required Behavioural Skills

Adheres to WWF's values: Strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly
Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision
Willingness and ability to live and work in a remote area

How to apply?

Email a cover letter and CV to recruit-cam@wwfcam.org

The subject should read CDO-TNS

Only those who meet the requirements will be contacted. If you have not been contacted one month after closing, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Deadline for applications: December 16th, 2019

Female applicants are encouraged.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.