At the Rainforest Alliance, we are building an alliance to create a better future for people and nature by making responsible business the new normal. To advance our mission, we focus on amplifying our impact on the ground through systemic transformation: change across the entire supply chain, change in the relationship between people and nature, and change within our own organization. We achieve this transformation by working in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders to create a stronger Alliance. Together, we amplify the voices of farmers and forest communities, improve livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and help people adapt to climate change in bold and effective ways. We embrace transparency because we believe that the best way to build trust across our alliance is through openness about our tactics, our impact, and partners on the ground. Together, we can achieve our vision of a world where people and nature thrive in harmony.

Position summary:

The Landscape management expert, Cameroon, will perform its responsibilities under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project entitled " Removing barriers to biodiversity conservation, land restoration and sustainable forest management through COmmunity-BAsed LAndscape Management – COBALAM ". The project is implemented by the United Nation Environment Program (UNE) and executed by the Cameroon Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) with technical support from Rainforest Alliance. The purpose of the project is to conserve biodiversity in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC) and the South region through a sustainable landscape approach, in which High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) is protected in law and the surrounding forested and agricultural areas are managed through participatory community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and the development of local enterprises that use natural resources sustainably and generate livelihoods for local populations. Additionally, to the Project Management Unit (in Rainforest Alliance’s office in Yaoundé, a field office will be established in Bafoussam.

The Landscape management expert will be mainly responsible for all activities related to the attribution of Priority Management Zone (PMZ) based on the Law n°2011/008 dated 6 May 2011 which lays down guidelines for territorial planning and sustainable development in Cameroon, to upgrade the conservation status of two Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA): Mount Bamboutos and Mount Bana.  S/he will also coordinate field activities in the WHC (West and North West regions) contributing to conservation and economic valorisation of Sacred Forests, sustainable land management and sustainable forest management. This position supervises two staff members.

Responsibilities: 

• Support the development of terms of reference for technical subcontractors in the WHC, supervise and monitor their activities and approve the delivery of their products and corresponding payments in accordance with their contracts;
• Efficient, transparent and correct management of the financial resources available to the project in the WHC accordance with the rules commonly agreed between MINEPDED, UNEP and RA;
• Coordinate and plan activities to be implemented in the WHC in collaboration with the local project staff and partners in line with the annual work plan;
• Obtain the Free, Prior and Inform Consent of all stakeholders and stimulate their participation to all processes engaged by the project;
• Facilitate activities related to the improvement of the conservation status of KBA through the creation of PMZ for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management;
• Facilitate the setup of landscape governance structure involving multi-sector and multi-scale stakeholder groups and in alignment with the national law n°2011/008 (stated above) for the PMZ and coordinate all activities related to their training and operation. ;
• Develop and propose to the project coordinator inputs for the Annual work plan and budgets for project related activities in the WHC;
• Deliver plans and reports required by the project M&E plan and coordinate   short-term consultants in accordance with principles of adaptive management; and,
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications: 

•  MSC in landscape management, natural resources management, development, environment or any related discipline.
• A minimum of ten years’ professional experience in community based natural resources management, landscape management and at least five years of experience with management and reporting of donor funded projects.
• Experience in organizational and institutional development of multi stakeholders’ platforms is a plus.
• Good knowledge of the different national and local stakeholders concerned with agriculture, resources management, rural development, including government and administration, private sector, civil society and international development partner agencies, and strong ability and readiness to communicate, and work with them;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders, from government to small-scale producers.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Strong team-based orientation and demonstrated familiarity with project management within a team environment;
• Strong organizational skills and efficient management of multiple tasks and priorities;
• Excellent written, oral and graphical communication skills in French and English
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the time nationally and internationally.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience.

How to apply:  

Send resume and cover letter to Rainforest Alliance. Please use the following format in the subject line: first name and last name, job title of position you are applying for in cover letter.

Notes:

• Only candidates authorized to work in Cameroon will be considered
• The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.
• The final decision to recruit is at discretion of Rainforest Alliance, United Nation Environment Program and the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development.