Logistics Officer, WCS Cameroon At Wildlife Conservation Society

Location: Garoua, Cameroon

Reports To: Director BSB Yamoussa Project

Start date: November 2021

Position Type: Minimum 2-year full time contract (with possibility for renewal)

Organization Background

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife 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 poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Cameroon Program Overview

WCS first began working in Cameroon in 1988 with a study on elephants in Korup National Park. In 1992, this work extended to the Banyang Mbo Council Forest Reserve that become the Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary in 1996. During the same year, WCS conducted the first wildlife surveys in the Lobeké forest area in Southeast Cameroon. After subsequent work by WCS, Lobeké ultimately became a National Park in 2001. WCS organized the first broad exploratory biological and socio-economic surveys of the Mbam & Djerem region and in 2000, as a result of the information gathered, the Cameroon government declared the establishment of Mbam & Djerem National Park. In 2006, WCS Cameroon began work in the Deng Deng forest known to be home to an important population of western lowland gorillas, with the objective of upgrading the area to protected area status. As a result of research and advocacy work in the area, the government of Cameroon declared the creation of the Deng Deng National Park in March 2010. WCS Cameroon also started working in the Takamanda Mone landscape in 2001. The Takamanda National Park and the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary were established by the government of Cameroon in 2008. This area is one of the most biologically diverse in Africa and provides the last remaining stronghold for the Cross River gorilla in both Cameroon and Nigeria. WCS Cameroon has been actively involved in the Bouba Ndjida National Park since 2012 through support for anti-poaching operations and large mammal population surveys. In 2016, WCS received a generous grant from the German Development bank (KfW) for the implementation of a full-scale transboundary conservation project between Cameroon and Chad. WCS recently received a grant from the European Union for the implementation of the EcoNorCam project

Job Summary

WCS Cameroon is recruiting a Logistics Officer, who will be in charge of planning, coordinating and monitoring all logistics activities in Northern Cameroon. This includes procurement, construction of infrastructure, fleet management, and support for conservation activities while respecting WCS and donor protocols and standards.

He/she will work in close collaboration with the other divisions of the BSB and EcoNorCam projects. He/she must have excellent communication skills and have a solution-oriented and adaptable approach to a challenging working environment.

Responsibilities

• Strategically plan, manage implement and monitor the logistics performance policy
• Organize and manage the logistics activities by analyzing the key performance indicators to better respond to the needs of the projects
• Identify the logistical needs of projects and take steps to ensure that they are met on time in accordance with WCS procedures and donor procedures (KFW, EU, and other donors)
• Implement and guarantee an efficient supply chain management process (procedures, purchasing planning, supply planning etc.);
• Provide support for the planning and technical supervision of works carried out under the BSB project (construction buildings, small engineering structures, etc.);
• Implement procedures for the proper management of all project assets including fleet of cars and motorbikes, generators, and rehabilitation supplies in collaboration with the other project staff and stakeholders ;
• Supervise and train the logistics team (logistics assistants, mechanics, drivers, guards, etc.);
• Record and respond to all inquiries from service providers
• Ensure a standard maintenance plan for buildings and guest house
• Ensure the technical feasibility of the evacuation plan, in collaboration with the Project Directors, the authorities of the Protected Areas as well as the competent administrative authorities
• Ensure the safety and organized archive of all documents relating to infrastructure, assets and equipment
• Supervise the management of the procurement budget and all the related administrative aspects, ensure periodic reporting on the logistical aspects of the project
• Manage and guarantee transport and customs clearance of materials procured for the project
• Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree or equivalent professional work experience preferred
• Minimum of five (05) years of professional experience in similar fields (procurement, supply management, fleet management, automobile maintenance, logistics, warehouse management and construction)
• Experience working with an international NGO and knowledge of the procurement procedures of EU and KfW strongly preferred
• Experience in the Central Africa region is preferred
• Applied knowledge of purchasing and supply budget management, methodologies and tools for monitoring consumables and maintenance plans
• Ability to lead and communicate with multiple interlocutors
• Fluency in French and satisfactory command of English required