Law Enforcement Coordinator, Cameroon-Chad

Location: Project areas in Northern Cameroon and neighboring Chad

Reports to: WCS Cameroon and Chad Country Directors

Direct Reports: WCS Project Directors

Start date: March/April 2023

Duration: Two years with the possibility of renewal

Purpose:

WCS has been present in Cameroon since 1988 and has been working since then with the Government of Cameroon to create several protected areas and to train many conservationists. Currently, the WCS Cameroon program covers four main landscapes, namely the Takamanda-Mone NP, the Mbam & Djerem NP, and the Binational Complex of Bouba-Njidda (Cameroon) and Sena-Oura NPs (Chad) and Bénoué NP and surrounding protected areas.

WCS is currently providing technical support for the implementation of the BSB Yamoussa project and for « Ecosystems of Northern Cameroon: towards an integrated landscape approach » (EcoNorCam), aiming to conserve the biological diversity, stabilize and reduce degradation of natural ecosystems, and promote sustainable development, in and around the landscapes of Faro NP, Benoué and Bouba-Njidda NPs, in the Northern region of Cameroon.

These projects, which are part of WCS long term intervention, aim to promote a land use governance approach that makes it possible to balance the modes of natural resource uses and exploitation by human and wildlife protection needs, including the management of protected areas. These projects also aim to protect and secure wildlife within the protected areas of Benoué NP (Cameroun) and the Binational Protected Area Complex of Séna Oura (Chad) and Bouba Ndjidda (Cameroon) NPs, and their peripheric areas which include Hunting Concessions (ZIC).

Under these projects (BSB Yamoussa and EcoNoCam), WCS is seeking a Law Enforcement Coordinator (LEC) to provide support for the implementation of effective and responsible law enforcement by MINFOF (Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife) in Cameroon and by MEEDD (Ministry of Environment Water and Sustainable Development) in Chad and WCS anti-poaching staffs within the Benoué NP, Bouba Njidda NP and Sena Oura NP, which represent 200 or more guards, regularly supported by military The LEC will collaborate directly with WCS Project Directors to support the parks authorities on Law Enforcement activities and operations to build security and disrupt wildlife criminality in the area. A significant part of the LEC work will be the implementation and coordination of the approved law enforcement strategies, ensuring full compliance of Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Conduct of rangers, and overseeing delivery of an effective ranger and WCS anti-poaching staffs training and mentoring program. The LEC will need to have motivation, integrity and professionalism, and the vision to help build a ranger team that is capable of achieving the conservation objectives of the BNP, BNNP and SONP and surrounding Hunting Concessions (ZIC), whilst upholding the absolute highest standards of social safeguards and human rights.

The position is based across the projects’ areas with a supporting office in Garoua.

Responsibilities

The LEC will advise on all aspects related to improving wildlife law enforcement operations in the Parks (BNP-BNNP-SONP) and preventing wildlife crimes within and surrounding the Parks. The LEC will support the wardens and staffs to advise on, guide and mentor i) security and the establishment of standards on wildlife law enforcement, ii) the development of the capacity of wildlife law enforcement staff – including training and mentoring, iii) planning and operations, iv) follow up of judicial processes, v) producing activity reports, and vi) advise, mentor, and guide the WCS/MINFOF day-to-day operations.

Specifically, the LEC will work closely with the Project Directors and directly support the Parks’ Wardens, to:

• Implement a wildlife law enforcement staff training and mentoring plan – including planning and oversight of any training contractors – that will result in building and developing the skills and competence of all BNP-BNNP-SONP staffs, particularly the Head of Law Enforcement section, and patrols leaders, through training and mentorship
• Implement BNP-BNNP-SONP Wildlife Protection & Law Enforcement Strategy.
• Implement and strengthen relevant policies and procedures related to law enforcement, including Standard Operating Procedures and the Code of Conduct for rangers.
• Build situational awareness on wildlife illegal activities and other risks inside the protected areas landscape and ensure these are incorporated into the development and implementation of the law enforcement strategy.
• Ensure correct conduct of daily operations, including mentoring in the delivery of patrol orders, inspections, and debriefs.
• Optimize manpower, including revising leave rotations, training, and patrol schedules; to develop and implement an operational readiness mechanism.
• Coordinate and supervise the selection and training of new rangers.
• Coordinate closely with field operations managers in the joint planning of operations (including the use of air assets when available).
• Expand collaboration and coordination with hunting area surrounding national parks and military forces.
• Develop intelligence and investigation work against wildlife crime.
• Ensure all BN-BNNP-SONP staff are equipped with the appropriate equipment and clothing to perform their job properly.
• Ensure effective management and day-to-day mentoring of the Operations Rooms.
• Control and support judicial processes.
• Assist with the development and deployment of communications and other technology relevant to implementation of the Wildlife Protection and Law Enforcement Strategy.
• Develop and regularly update security assessment and risk mitigation procedures for BNP-BNNP-SONP.
• Manage the security and safety management of all the staff working in BNP-BNNP-SONP
• Develop annual, quarterly, and monthly operational plans and contribute to donor reporting/fundraising proposals.
• Ensure timely and accurate incident reporting to management.
• Operate in accordance with national laws, statutes of Ministries of Forestry and Wildlife, parks internal regulations, and WCS policies and procedures.
• Be available to perform any further task assigned by project directors.

Qualification Requirements

• At least 3-5 years of experience leading, managing, and/or advising on Wildlife law enforcement operations, ideally in Protected Areas.
• An analytical mind that grasps complex political, legal, security and criminal issues affecting BNP, BNNP, SONP.
• Good understanding of intelligence-led law enforcement.
• Strong leadership and team building and management experience, including the ability to motivate, set objectives, and manage the performance of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, training and mentoring staff – and, thereby, developing the skills and knowledge of individuals and teams.
• The ability to communicate and explain complex processes and ideas effectively and efficiently.
• Outstanding organizational and coordination skills.
• A commitment to working collegially with all staff, and professionally and diplomatically with all partner organisations – government and non-government.
• The willingness to gain an understanding of the institutional and legal framework of conservation in Cameroon/Chad as well as of relevant policy challenges.
• Proven experience in remote areas of the world, the ability and skills to make the most of any given situation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in French is required (English is an asset), including the ability to write accurate, analytical, and timely reports.
• Previous experience within Africa, and ability to work in a multicultural environment. Experience in Sahel Africa is an asset.
• Strong computer skills: additional expertise in Park technology and communications is an asset.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and a commitment to the mission and values of WCS.