Deputy Chief of Party to USAID, EPP

“Building effective management and sustainable financing of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and Kahuzi-Biega National Park through Public-Private Partnerships”

Job Description

Location: Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Reports to: KBNP Program Manager

Direct Reports: Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation, and Learning Manager

Start Date: March 2024

Position Type: Full-time, two-year fixed contract. Candidate will be subject to USAID approval.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks a dynamic, adaptable, and experienced candidate to serve as a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The DCOP will play a key role in supporting the implementation of the “Building effective management and sustainable financing of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and Kahuzi-Biega National Park through Public-Private Partnerships” Environmental Partnerships Program (EPP).

The EPP is a central part of the work of WCS in the management of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) and Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The program targets four principal outcomes for these protected areas:

1) An improved conservation and security situation by mitigating threats through enhanced law enforcement and high-level stakeholder engagement;

2) Strengthened protected area management capacity through operationalization of the Public-Private Partnership agreements;

3) Support for conservation by increased through improved wellbeing and shared governance of natural resource zones; and

4) Sustainable financing and economic development accelerated through conservation-led income generating activities.

From their base in Bukavu, the DCOP will coordinate the implementation of EPP activities in KBNP and will provide administrative support to the EPP Chief of Party, who is based in Goma. The DCOP reports to the KBNP Program Manager.

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they have the necessary experience and skills to work within a dynamic and complex program, in a challenging working environment. They will need to demonstrate that they are able to grasp the complexities of situations as they arise and adapt accordingly, and that they are able to work within a culturally diverse work environment.

The DCOP will be based full time in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, DRC, with frequent field visits to KBNP and the surrounding area.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Support the COP in the overall leadership, management, and oversight of the EPP.
• Coordinate with the KBNP team to implement EPP activities, working to achieve EPP objectives to a high standard and on schedule.
• Deliver high-quality, results-oriented technical assistance and programming to the KBNP team through hands-on guidance and support, grounded in the EPP’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
• In coordination with the COP and the KBNP team, determine annual priorities, develop work plans, ensuring that activities respond to changing conditions.
• Provide technical support, capacity building and mentoring to KBNP staff during the course of program implementation, especially in the areas of results-based management, work planning and budgeting, report writing, learning and adaptation, and communications.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Work closely with the KBNP Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation, and Learning (MEAL) team to monitor and evaluate the performance of ongoing activities.
• Co-facilitate regular Pause & Reflect sessions to capture learning, introduce improvements and adaptations, and achieve meaningful results.
• Make substantial contributions to the preparation of EPP annual reports, working to ensure that all relevant reporting requirements are fulfilled, and documents are submitted to the COP on time and with sufficient review.
• Ensure appropriate knowledge management processes are in place to identify and archive relevant program documentation, donor communications, and evidence of program implementation.
• In collaboration with the KBNP Communications team and Community Conservation team, identify and write ‘Success Stories’ about program activities.

Stakeholder Relations

• Assist the EPP COP with the process of coordination and oversight among partners working across various fields and sectors in KBNP.
• As needed, represent WCS at external stakeholder meetings.
• Keep internal WCS stakeholders regularly up to date on program activities, deliverables, and events.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree or other relevant experience in wildlife conservation and program management. Candidates will be expected to have at least five years’ experience in a relevant professional position.
• Experience managing international donor-funded projects, with multiple project partners and diverse project elements preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of U.S. Government rules and regulations, and a good understanding of the USAID program cycle and reporting requirements. Experience of managing USAID-funded projects required.
• Proven ability to achieve project targets and objectives, delivering quality work on tight deadlines. High-level competency in writing and editing of professional technical reports and other written products.
• Experience working, coordinating, and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders, such as local NGOs, government officials, and donor representatives.
• Experience working in inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams and managing several major activities simultaneously.
• Openness and sensitivity to the socio-cultural environment of eastern DRC and the KBNP.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and working capabilities in French required. Knowledge of Swahili an advantage.
• Ability to live and work in challenging conditions.