1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To lead, oversee and coordinate WWF’s conservation efforts in Africa by defining a regional conservation strategy and priorities, linking it with global conservation outcomes, monitoring progress, assessing impact and adapting tactics and approaches as needed. And to build strong relationships with key institutional partners and influence key policy decisions that deliver on the regional and country strategies. To support WWF Africa Offices, grow in strength and their ability to work in an integrative manner and in so doing deliver effective conservation impact at scale. 

2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Manager, Policy & Partnerships, Africa is responsible for supporting the delivery of the African Conservation Framework. The role is an integral part of the Policy & Partnerships unit of WWF Africa, and engages with a range of policy processes at national, regional, and global levels where WWF is active. The position must be based in the Congo Basin region, and explicitly contributes to the implementation of the Congo Basin Conservation Strategic Framework and related advocacy and policy engagements.

In addition to working closely with governments and institutions in the Congo Basin, the Manager will support WWF’s collaboration with Africa-wide bodies such as the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, the different regional economic communities, and others. Serving as the focal point within the team, the role is responsible for helping WWF Country Offices engage effectively and in a coordinated manner across policy processes, ensuring greater conservation impact in Africa and the Congo Basin in particular.

This role requires strong leadership, strategic policy analysis, and the ability to influence global agendas relevant to the region. Ultimately, the Manager will play a vital part in scaling up conservation outcomes and strengthening the credibility and influence of WWF offices across the Congo Basin.

3 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Institutional Partnerships:

• Prioritise and align policy interventions and institutional partnerships based on global Practices as well African conservation Framework, country strategies and the Roadmap 2030;

• Leads WWF’s relationship with CB regional institutions like ECCAS, COMIFAC, and BDEAC, and supports WWF’s relationships and engagement with Pan-African institutions like AfDB, AUC, and ECA;
• Ensure that priority partnerships, particularly in the CB region, are functioning effectively and underpinned by:
  • A clear understanding of the areas of mutual interest;
  • A work plan with ambitious but realistic conservation objectives;
  • The necessary skills and capacity to service the relationship and work plans;
• Networks with key governments and private sector institutions to grow key stakeholders/partners toward influencing conservation impact at scale.

Policy and Advocacy

• Leads the preparation of policy positions and coordinate the contribution to the WWF Network policy positions as relevant to Africa and the Congo Basin region in particular;
• Coordinates WWF engagement in national and regional policy processes and events as related to the CB; including the Convention of Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, CITES; AMCEN; and the Sustainable Development Agenda, and other relevant MEAs;
• Supports the preparation of Pan-African policy positions, bringing in the perspectives from the CB and coordinate the African contribution to the WWF Network policy positions using participatory approaches;
• Supports the development of policy inputs and advocacy in key global and Pan-African and regional policy multilateral processes (e.g. the UN Sustainable Development Goals, The African Union Commission, FOCAC) for WWF in Africa;
• Manages policy and advocacy related databases (contacts, calendar of events), ensures up to date website, information sharing platforms, and acts as radar function;

Support to Country Offices:

• Leads the expert input into the development and review of country strategic plans in alignment with WWF policy goals and Africa’s specificities related to global and regional policy processes;
• Leads capacity building of CB country offices in policy; advocacy and partnerships for effective engagement of WWF staff and partners in policy processes;
• Supports Country Offices and their respective programmes in the region to have effective policy and partnerships plans in place, deliver impact at scale and are effectively contributing to relevant Global Impact Goals, the Roadmap 2030 and the African Conservation Framework;
• Supports Country Offices and transboundary programmes to engage with key African and especially regional and international institutions in the Congo Basin region in a coordinated manner;
• Supports Country Offices with request related to national policy processes and the effective engagement national governments and ministries;
• Works closely with Country Management teams to ensure that policy and partnership plans are in line with operational plans and long-term institutional and staffing requirements;
• Actively contributes to the Practice communities and collaborates with the Practice Leads;
• Builds effective advocacy teams with appropriate level of technical skills, seniority and regional representation, and are able to successfully implement the outcomes of the multilateral fora;

Other duties at the request of the Head, Policy & Partnerships, Africa.

4 PROFILE

• Advanced university degree or equivalent work experience in development studies, international relations, political sciences, economics, policy, social sciences, legal and environmental studies;
• At least 10 years of experience in policy and institutional relations or in high level international and regional policy and advocacy work;
• Experience working with large-scale programmes and organisations, development aid policy;
• Understanding of geopolitical issues and trends and strategic relationships between governments;
• Proven track record of high-level engagement with key international, Pan-African, and regional institutions, including the AUC, African Development Bank, NEPAD, AMCEN, AMCOW, and regional economic communities;
• Proven expertise in diplomacy, strategic thinking, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure;
• Deep understanding of African conservation and development issues;
• Good knowledge of the policy environment relevant to Africa;
• Strong advocacy and lobbying skills;
• Passion and commitment for conservation and sustainable development;
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration;
• Experience from within WWF of working on policy and advocacy issues is a distinct asset;
• Ability to work closely with WWF conservation and policy staff, and other technical experts, to ensure we are able to capitalise on these opportunities;

• Strong management and leadership skills with a high degree of accountability;
• Experience in working in matrix and network organisation and the ability to lead without formal authority;
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to interact with and influence senior management staff in Country Offices and relevant staff in different functional areas in a positive manner;
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in French and English

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal.

Works closely with the Directors, Conservation Impact, Africa and the Congo Basin region, the Regional Director, Congo Basin, the Head, Policy & Partnerships, Africa and other Africa team members, Country Office management teams, Practice teams, WWF International Secretariat and wider WWF network offices. Functional relationships with the Africa Regional Programs  as well as those relevant to the Congo Basin and the Focal Points of the Institutional Partnerships within offices.  

External.

Key institutional partners, donors, governments, RECs and other partner organisations, as appropriate.