Democratic Republic of the Congo: Protected Area Advisor (PA Advisor)

WWF-DRC is recruiting the role of Protected Area Advisor (PA Advisor) for our programme in Democratic Republic of Congo to help us achieve our new ambitious goals, and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Duration of the assignment: 1 year subject to successful probation renewable subsequently.

The Role:

Under the supervision of Conservation Director and close collaboration with the Protected Area Program Coordinator the PA advisor will ensure:

· The development of PARAP phase II including the development of the national protected area strategic plan;

· Provide technical advice to the WWF PA programme in the DRC and establish links with the larger WWF network, including WWF Practices;

· Formulate recommendations to the Technical and Scientific Direction of ICCN.

Main responsibilities:

A.Programme Development and Fundraising

· Ensure the development of the Protected Area Network Strategic Plan of the DRC with main partners and under the leadership of ICCN;

· Develop the WWF PARAP phase 2 programme for the improved management, consolidation and extension of the DRC PAN;

· Ensure that the second phase of PARAP is conform with and adequately supporting the validated protected areas network strategic plan of the DRC;

· Identify funding opportunities (develop contacts, meet donors and partners);

· Develop specific proposals for identified donors (EU, GEF, WB, KFW, WWF network, etc.);

· Strongly engage with ICCN and partners at national and provincial level;

· Continue to integrate biodiversity conservation and the protected area network as an issue in other sectors as the land use planning process;

B.Programme implementation

· Participate in the elaboration of annual work plans;

· Finalize participatory protected areas network strategic plan of the DRC;

· Define main capacity gaps of the Technical and Scientific Direction (DTS) of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) related to PAN management, consolidation and extension;

· Support revision of the national list of protected species and the elaboration of the DRC fauna red list;

· Put in place a platform or a steering committee to ensure participation of main partners and orient further decisions on the DRC PAN;

· Support ICCN to capitalize documentation and standardize application of operational tools for best practice PAN management;

· Accompany the legal revision of PA categories and develop system to systematically identify key biodiversity areas;

· Support endorsement of clear procedures to gazette and “de-gazette” protected areas in the DRC;

· Support endorsement of the National PAN Map and submit updated protected area limits to UNEP-WCMC and IUCN’s World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA);

· Collaborate to the PA natural capital valuation study;

· Advise on the sustainable finance mechanism of the PAN and the use of the Okapi fund (the national PA trust fund);

C.Communications

· Put in place a DRC partner platform or steering committee on PAs in order to ensure a common vision and understanding by partner organisations of the new PARAP phase and the strategic plan;

· Help communicate on the program importance, expected outcomes and success stories to the WWF network and media by supporting the WWF Communication teams.

· Help develop linkages with WWF Network “structures” related to PA (Wildlife Practice, Protected Area Community, Landscape Finance Lab, etc.)

· Stay on top of the development of conservation trends (e.g. PA Certifications, CATS, PAME, Green list, CBD, CITES, BIOPAMA, etc.) and inform colleagues and partners of new conservation initiatives, approaches, strategies, etc.

· In accordance with the hierarchy, represent WWF in meetings and workshops.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

· Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in natural resources management, biological sciences or related field experience. A PhD in conservation biology an asset.

· Broad working experience in Protected Area management, with at least five years of experience in PA Network development. International experience, especially in the African context is essential.

· Excellent understanding of Eco regional conservation, and the principles of PA management;

· Good understanding of IUCN standards for protected areas, CBD process, etc.;

· Good understanding of the establishment of an effective, representative protected areas network;

· Good understanding of the implementation Key Biological Area methodology (KBA);

· Good technical, organizational, interpersonal and teambuilding skills essential;

· Diplomatic and multi-cultural skills;

· Excellent oral and written communication skills, in both English and French;

· Team player and respectful of human diversity.

· Adhere to WWF's values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to send:

· A cover letter

· A detailed CV with 2-3 references

All applications should be sent to recruit-wwfdrc@wwfdrc.org. Previous applicants need not apply.

Deadline for applications:3 February 2017. The subject should read PA Advisor

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