Political-economic Analysis of Neopastoralism At Wildlife Conservation Society

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Organisation: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Presentation of the organization

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a U.S. nonprofit organization established in 1895 that works to preserve wildlife and wild places by identifying critical problems, developing science-based solutions, and leading conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With over a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, a presence in over 60 countries, and experience in establishing over 150 protected areas worldwide, WCS has accumulated biological and sociocultural knowledge of the areas concerned, and built strong partnerships to ensure that wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. In collaboration with local communities and organizations, this knowledge informs our strategies for managing species, habitats, and ecosystems, which are essential to improving the quality of life for poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.

The Sudano-Sahel region (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Chad) offers an unprecedented opportunity to play a direct role in preserving some of the world’s last intact wilderness areas, and to contribute significantly to the security of people and wildlife. The region’s savannahs, forests, and wetlands support key populations of endangered elephants, northern giraffes, lions, elands, chimpanzees, gorillas, and bongos. Hundreds of bird species are found in the region, including the shoebill and crowned crane. Communities also rely on these lands for their livelihoods, through livestock farming, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a strong presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, where it has a long history of conservation work and a proven track record in protected area management. We are actively working to support protected area management and wildlife law enforcement, local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, strengthen anti-trafficking activities, and implement our policy and science programs.

Project : PAIRIAC ( Program to Support Regional Integration and Investment in Central Africa )

Location : North Cameroon, with an analytical component covering Chad.

Estimated duration : 60 working days over a period of 4 months.

1. Background and rationale

The Sudano-Sahelian region, particularly northern Cameroon and the border areas of Chad, is a key territory for transhumance, an ancestral pastoral mobility strategy. However, this system is facing increasing pressures: climate change, insecurity, and land fragmentation. A particularly worrying pressure is large-scale illegal grazing in protected areas (PAs), which threatens biodiversity, security, and ecosystem stability.

This pressure is not only exerted by traditional pastoralists, but also stems from a system commonly referred to as “neo-pastoralism.” This system is characterized by significant capital investments by political, administrative, military, and economic elites, often urban and absent from grazing areas. These powerful actors own large herds managed by salaried pastoralists, and their influence often allows them to circumvent regulations and access fodder resources, including in national parks.

There is currently a critical gap in our understanding of this system. Despite our interactions with pastoralists on the ground, the power networks, financial flows, and motivations of the herds’ true owners remain opaque. To design effective, equitable, and human rights-respecting conservation and conflict management strategies, it is imperative to fully understand the structure and dynamics of this neo-pastoralism. It is in this context that WCS, through the PAIRIAC project, is commissioning an in-depth study to map these actors and analyze their motivations.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

General objective:

To analyze the system of political and financial actors involved in neo-pastoralism that favors transhumant grazing in and around protected areas in northern Cameroon and Chad, in order to propose avenues for effective mitigation strategies.

Specific objectives:

  1. Identify the main political, economic, administrative and security actors (state and non-state) in Cameroon and Chad who invest in livestock farming and facilitate medium and large-scale livestock movements to targeted protected areas.
  2. Map the operational, financial and social links between these actors and the breeders who physically manage the herds in the WCS intervention landscapes.
  3. Analyze the motivations, investment strategies, operating methods and interests (economic, political, social) of these key players.
  4. Assess the influence of this system on the governance of local natural resources, inter-actor conflicts and the management of protected areas.
  5. Formulate strategic and operational recommendations for WCS and its partners to engage with this complex system, reduce its negative impacts and promote sustainable landscape management.

3. Specific tasks

Under the supervision of the Technical Director of the Sudano-Sahelian Region, the consultant will:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review on pastoralism, neo-pastoralism, resource governance, and political dynamics in the study area. This consultation should draw in particular on the study by Petitdemange and Violon (2024) on inclusive and peaceful pastoralism.
  2. Propose and validate an initial report including a detailed research methodology, a work plan and data collection tools (interview guides, etc.).
  3. Carry out field data collection, particularly in northern Cameroon (Benue and Bouba Ndjidda National Parks and their surrounding areas) and, if necessary, from stakeholders in Chad linked to pastoralism in the Cameroonian landscape.
  4. Conduct semi-structured interviews and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders: pastoralists, community and traditional leaders, administrative authorities (prefects, sub-prefects), defense and security forces, protected area managers, civil society and, where possible and safe, representatives of identified elite actors.
  5. Use qualitative analysis methods, including stakeholder mapping and social network analysis, to visualize power and influence relationships.
  6. Analyze the collected data to comprehensively address the specific objectives of the study.
  7. Write a comprehensive, clear and concise study report presenting the results, analysis and recommendations.
  8. Prepare and facilitate a results presentation session for WCS staff and partners.

4. Expected deliverables

  1. An initial report, submitted no later than 15 days after signing the contract, detailing the understanding of the terms of reference, the refined methodology, the tools and a detailed work schedule.
  2. A draft report, submitted to the WCS for amendments and comments, presents the main findings and analyses.
  3. A final report (maximum 40 pages, excluding annexes) in French, including a summary in French and English. The report must be analytical and pragmatic, with clear recommendations.
  4. A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the main findings and recommendations of the study.
  5. Key data (anonymized transcripts, field notes) collected during the study that will be useful for future research.

5. Qualifications and experience required

  • Education: PhD (or Master’s degree with at least 15 years of relevant experience) in anthropology, political sociology, human geography or a related social science discipline.
  • Professional experience:
    • At least 8 years of proven experience in conducting complex socio-political studies, preferably in Central/Sahelian Africa.
    • Proven expertise in pastoralism, natural resource management and conflict. In-depth knowledge of neo-pastoralism is a major asset.
    • Significant and recent field experience in northern Cameroon and/or Chad is strongly desired.
    • Excellent command of qualitative research methods and ability to conduct research on sensitive topics with high-level stakeholders.
    • Excellent analytical, synthesis and writing skills.
  • LANGUAGES:
    • Fluency in French (oral and written) is essential.
    • A good knowledge of English (reading, writing) is required for the literature review.
    • Knowledge of one or more local languages ​​(e.g. Fulfulde, Chadian Arabic) would be a considerable advantage.

How to apply

6. Application process

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package including:

  1. A technical proposal (maximum 5 pages) detailing their understanding of the terms of reference, the proposed methodology and a work schedule.
  2. A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) , including references for similar roles.
  3. A detailed financial proposal (clearly distinguishing fees, travel expenses, other logistical costs).

Applications should be sent to ssrconsultancies@wcs.org no later than October 10, 2025.