Senior Biomonitoring Officer

Location: Mbakaou, Mbam and Djerem National Park (MDNP), Cameroon

Reports to: Mbam and Djerem Project Director

Coordinates with: Law Enforcement, Socio-economic, Logistics, Administration and Finance Departments

Direct & Indirect reports: All staff in Biomonitoring Department 

Start date: Immediate

Duration: 2 years (renewable)

Organizational Context:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895. Its mission is to preserve wildlife and wilderness by understanding critical problems, developing scientific solutions and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, a presence in more than 60 countries, and experience in the creation of more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has accumulated the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships needed to ensure that wild places and animal species 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 rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.

Purpose:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking a dynamic, hard-working, and experienced Senior Biomonitoring Officer (SBO) to oversee and provide leadership of MDNP long-term biomonitoring and research programs, including GIS, Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) and Earth Ranger Software. The SBO will be the head of Biomonitoring Department, and manage a team of Biomonitoring and Research staff, will report to the Project Director, provide regular updates to the Service de la Conservation (Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife) and Project Director and relevant national staff as required. The position is based full-time on-site at the MDNP headquarters in Mbakaou, Djerem Division.

Major Responsibilities:

• Overall supervision of the Biomonitoring and Research department team in close collaboration with MINFOF Biomonitoring and Research Unit Head
• Coordination of existing biomonitoring programs and research, including assisting with logistics for research missions
• Participate in strategic planning and reporting in accordance with the park needs
• Develop Biomonitoring and Research strategy for the MDNP close collaboration with MINFOF Biomonitoring and Research Unit Head
• Ensure data quality and research design
• Ensure regular and standardized data collection and reporting, including SMART and Earth Ranger Software. Consolidate and secure the MDNP Biomonitoring and Research database.
• Develop new research initiatives and partnerships which adhere to the conservation strategy and management plan of the park 
• Oversee all aspects of data management, storage, back-up and analysis including GIS, SMART and Earth Ranger Software
• Ensure adherence to national and international biomonitoring and research protocols and standards
• Coordinate capacity building of national and international researchers 
• Coordinate regular landscape-wide monitoring surveys and long-term ecological data collection, including but not limited to chimpanzee and biodiversity surveys, camera trapping surveys
• Ensure researchers and staff adhere to the WCS research procedures and best practice of One Health protocols 
• Contribute to reporting obligations of the MDNP for donors and national authorities as required
• Manage biodiversity related databases from other departments 

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor or Masters’ Degree in Biology, Ecology or similar field
• At least 5 years’ experience conducting or overseeing biomonitoring or research programs
• Ability to manage teams and work in a multicultural environment
• Experience working in the Congo basin
• Good communication skills, written and verbal
• Fluent in French and English a plus
• Experience with Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) and Earth Ranger Software.

How to apply:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience, should apply and send their CV and Cover Letter through rhrecruitment@wcs.org by copying  ngedeonngaombawah@wcs.org before  July 20^th ,2024.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer 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.