BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in
wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. We
actively monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to
diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and
programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUC
N) and is an
international network, organised into eight regional programmes.
DUTIES
• The Wildlife Trade Project Officer will assist with implementing a range of
interventions designed to reduce illegal and unsustainable trade in wild
species throughout East and southern Africa with a focus on East Africa. More
specifically, the Wildlife Trade Project Officer will be tasked to deliver on
actions under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) ‘Wildlife
Trafficking, Response, Assessment, Priority Setting’ (Wildlife-TRAPS) Project.
This initiative is designed to tackle the illegal and unsustainable trade of
terrestrial and marine wildlife between Africa and Asia.
• Reporting to the East Africa Programme Coordinator of TRAFFIC East/Southern
Africa (T-ESA), the Wildlife Trade Project Officer will perform the following
tasks.
• Ensure that TRAFFIC’s Wildlife-TRAPS and TESA’s work-plan of activities are
successfully implemented and results secured, and that delivery is effectively
coordinated with project counterparts in Africa/Asia and others across the
TRAFFIC network;
• Assess governments’ actions and practical steps towards satisfying
commitments to various regional frameworks, declarations and initiatives;
• Complete national level illegal wildlife trade assessments, such as Uganda;
• Establish where there are needs and opportunities for Asian counterparts to
assist African countries to curb illegal wildlife trade;
• Assist in developing activities to inform and increase understanding amongst
government, inter-government, private sector and civil society representatives
around how trans-continental wildlife trafficking can be relevant to
institutions dealing with broader issues; including for example, the wider
trade agenda, good governance and corruption and food security;
• Provide technical assistance, data entry and analysis, scientific information
and research support;
• Provide assistance as needed on the formulation of wildlife trade
recommendations for TRAFFIC, WWF and IUCN;
• Prepare and submit fundraising concepts and proposals to help leverage the
additional resources;
• Prepare policy briefing papers in order to help address illegal wildlife
trade issues relevant to trans-continental trade between Africa and Asia in
line with the findings arising from delivery of the Wildlife-TRAPS initiative;
and
• Provide thoughtful input into the production of quarterly/annual reports and
work plans and other documents.
Requirements
• A university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., biology, political science,
social science, international relations, law, economics, or journalism).
• At least 7 years’ experience in wildlife conservation and sustainable
development issues, preferably with an international Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) or Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO).
• A willingness and ability to travel widely and frequently and to work under
pressure.
• Strong working knowledge of political and policy making processes within East
Africa
• National and or regional/international policy advocacy experience including
high-level political negotiations preferably within an East Africa context.
• Work experience engaging with private sector a strong advantage.
• Relevant and proven experience in project cycle management, i.e.
co-ordinating larger projects, incl. overseeing consultants and managing
project budgets and reporting.
• Experience in implementing USAID-funded projects a strong advantage.
• Strong research and analytical skills, and an ability to articulate complex
issues clearly
• Strong networking skills and communication skills and ability to work in
different cultural contexts.
• Fluency in spoken and written English, with skills in other languages such as
Kiswahili and Chinese an advantage.
• Familiarity with standard word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and data
base software, and with electronic communication technology.
Supervision
TRAFFIC interns and consultants as directed.
APPLICATIONS
• Applicants are asked to submit their CV and a covering letter in English.
Applicants should provide the names/contact details of three referees,
including one recent employer.
• TRAFFIC will acknowledge receipt of all applications for this position by
return email. Only applicants short-listed for an interview will receive a
further response.
Applications should
be submitted, preferably by email with the subject header “FAMILY NAME: T-ESA
Wildlife Trade Project Officer”, on or before 31st October 2015 to:
East Africa
Programme Coordinator
TRAFFIC East/ Southern Africa
E-mail: traffictz@traffic.org
