Communications Manager, Republic of the Congo At Wildlife Conservation Society

Location: Brazzaville, with frequent travel to field sites

Reports to: Technical Director

Start Date: October 2023

Position type: Long-term contract

Organizational Context

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895. Its mission is to preserve wildlife and wilderness by understanding critical problems, developing scientific solutions and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, a presence in more than 60 countries, and experience in the creation of more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has accumulated the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships needed to ensure that wild places and animal species thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.

WCS Congo Program Overview

Over the past 30 years, WCS Congo has been the government’s principle conservation partner, assisting the Ministry of Forest Economy (MEF) in managing wildlife and its habitat in several of the country’s national parks, reserves, and protected area buffer zones. Within these sites WCS is developing and implementing actions for effective wildlife protection; community based natural resource management; ecological monitoring; scientific research; and environmental education. The program is the largest in WCS’s global portfolio and reports to the Regional Program for Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea. WCS Congo’s current portfolio of programs includes the management of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (NNNP) through a Public-Private Partnership with the Government of Congo, wildlife management in the substantial buffer zones of the Park, co-management of Lac Tele Community Reserve, a national program to support reform of marine conservation and resource management, and a substantial policy support program to the central government in Brazzaville.

Position Summary

We are looking for a motivated, dynamic Communications Manager with a strong interest in international wildlife conservation, and a will to strengthen press, social media and online presence, as well as in the creation of communication tools and products that contribute to national and international visibility for the program, and awareness. Main objectives of the position include (i) meeting donor requirements in a timely manner, (ii) attracting major media and production companies, and (iii) establishing good teamwork to ensure visibility and promotion of program activities.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, with strong writing and visual skills, creativity, excellent communication skills in French and English, and a strong interest in field-conservation. This is a full-time position.

The Communications Manager supervises and mentors a field-based Communications Officer and reports to the Technical Director of the Congo program. His/her primary responsibility is to work with his/her assistant to continue to grow and professionalize the program’s communications efforts, in collaboration with the Communications Regional Manager as well as the HQ team.

Main tasks

The Communications Manager will have the following responsibilities:

• Create communication and visibility products on request and on initiative (brochures, posters, factsheets, goodies, etc.). Follow up on the production and printing with the logistics department and the contractor.
• Ensure that all communication products comply with WCS and donor procedures as well as branding and marketing requirements.
• Create content for social networks to ensure our presence and continue to grow our audience.
• Manage relations with the national press to ensure proper coverage of Program activities and events.
• Respond to international media inquiries, organize, and conduct field visits. Otherwise, approach and pitch to media outlets that could be interesting.
• Maintain good relationships with documentary production companies, propose stories and schedule, plan and conduct shoots.
• Contribute to the implementation and development of a communication strategy.
• Maintain and update the program and protected area websites.
• Write and create photo and video content for press releases, articles, staff profiles, etc. to feed the program newsroom.
• Participate in the elaboration of budgets and the construction of projects regarding the communication aspect.
• Organize and maintain the photo and video catalog.

Qualification Requirements

• An advanced Degree in media related studies, a degree in conservation related matters with over 3 years of experience in media and communication will be considered.
• At least 5 years of experience working in media relations; conservation experience is an advantage.
• Professional skills in photography, video, and graphic design.
• Proven ability to work with international, national, and local organizations. NGO experience is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country setting in Central Africa is an asset.
• Fluent in both French and English is required, both written and oral.