Field Operations Manager

Reports to: Northeastern CAR Protected Areas Director / Country Director

Location: Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, Central African Republic

Country Program: WCS Central African Republic

Start date: March 2021

Position Type: Full-time

Application deadline: 20^th February 2021

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization 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 organizations, 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 utilization of natural resources.

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 security of people and wildlife. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key 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 proven success in protected area management. WCS currently has conservation initiatives in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, with new program activities developing in Ethiopia. We work actively to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, enhance anti-trafficking activities, and to implement our policy and scientific programs.

CAR Program Overview:

WCS has recently launched a private public partnership program with the government of 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 within the Bamingui-Bangoran and Manovo-Gouda St Floris National Parks in Northeaster CAR.

Job Summary:

The Field Operations Manager will be responsible for the operational 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.

Duties and responsibilities include :

• Develop and manage operations within the Bamingui-Bangoran core protected area regarding park and infrastructure management, anti-poaching, monitoring, human resources, budgeting, basic reporting.**
• Oversee all Field Operations activities are conducted according to WCS policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Develop and implement an integrated Field Operations plan and budget aligned with the Northeastern CAR Protected Areas Program.
• Support the logistics and maintenance teams at HQ in vehicles and generators maintenance and operation according to the Standard Operating Procedures, and oversee appropriate management of stocks of spares, fuel and oil.
• Lead the construction of a basic operational base well suited for warehouses, communications equipment, control room, a small workshop, accommodation facilities, offices, and additional areas as needed.
• Lead the construction of all-weather access roads connecting the existing park road network to the new foreseen operational base, and ensuring the logistical backbone (primarily in the wet season).
• Lead the construction of all-weather airstrips and related maintenance works.
• If necessary, ensure water access for wildlife during dry season by enhancing existing waterholes, and to establish and maintain strategic salt licks within the core area to enhance wildlife populations.
• Oversee implementation of the wildlife law enforcement strategy and security program.
• Oversee and manage the the ranger team for strengthen law enforcement operations in the protected area.
• Implement strategies to deter nomads from entering the core protected area, prioritizing approaches based on awareness-raising approach rather than the use of force.
• Train and manage a leadership team that will command and control daily patrol deployments from the Control Rooms.
• Implement recording and tracking mechanisms for wildlife monitoring within the protected area, supported by rangers, camera trapping, aerial surveys and all the systems implemented. In collaboration with the biomonitoring team, ensure camera traps are effectively placed.
• Coordinate operations with the Transhumance and Socioeconomic Development team, **
• Build and maintain collaborative relations and platforms with the local authorities.
• Any other duties as requested by the Northeastern CAR Protected Areas Director.

Qualification Requirements:

• Professional Training and Qualifications in protected area management or equivalent experience.
• >5 years working experience in Protected Area Management in Africa
• Experience in wildlife law enforcement required.
• Practical skills and experience in developing infrastructure.
• Initiative – must be able to get things done and solve problems with minimal support.
• French language fluency required. English skills also desired.
• Good communication skills and strong team leadership.
• Proven experience in capacity building of partners.
• Proven ability to live and work in a remote multicultural environment under difficult field conditions.
• Excellent computer skills and various office applications.
• Piloting qualifications with ULM or Cessna 182 a potential advantage but not required.