Senior Regional Director – Africa

About us

TRAFFIC is the leading non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK. TRAFFIC’s head office, based in Cambridge UK, provides worldwide leadership, coordination, cross-regional and corporate functions. TRAFFIC’s local engagement is managed through programme offices operating under the auspices of the UK charity, with staff based in a hub office and at other strategic locations where necessary. Programme offices operate within a geographic area of responsibility focused on one or multiple countries where TRAFFIC aims to help deliver priority programme outcomes.

The Senior Regional Director – Africa

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop a fantastic team working on impactful conservation projects.

We are looking for an inspiring leader who will be in charge of the development, promotion, and implementation of TRAFFIC’s global strategy and conservation program, with specific attention to Africa. The role will be responsible for inspiring, managing, and guiding TRAFFIC’s program delivery in Africa.

This role can be based in one of the three major TRAFFIC Offices in Arusha (Tanzania), in Pretoria (South Africa) or in Yaounde (Cameroon); other TRAFFIC locations in Africa may be considered

If you have strong management skills in programme planning, project development, and the delivery of time-bound and quality assured project outputs, as well as professional work experience in nature conservation and managing a team of staff, apply now!

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Strategy and programme development

• Plays a key role in the development of the content of TRAFFIC’s global programme strategy in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team

• Guides Africa regional teams and staff in developing programme packages and projects necessary to deliver the TRAFFIC global strategy, including oversight of the development of funding proposals and ensuring connectivity between actions in Africa and the wider TRAFFIC programme.

• Plays a leading role in marketing programme packages and projects to potential donors and promoting TRAFFIC’s work more generally.

Programme implementation

• Line manages Programme Office Directors in Africa in their management of implementation of the programme, especially with respect to global programme engagement and timely delivery of quality-assured outputs

• Line manages Programme Office Directors in Africa with respect to their budget management and financial accountability

• Provides guidance and support to the design, management and evaluation of TRAFFIC programmes, projects, partnerships, and policy dialogue, with particular emphasis on multi-regional and large-scale activities;

• Acts as technical supervisor of major programmes and projects managed by TRAFFIC International;

• Promotes the development and maintenance of partnerships that enhance implementation of TRAFFIC’s programme and projects and provides advice to TRAFFIC Programme Offices in this regard.

• Plays a leading technical role in development and delivery of policy work, including that directed at key international agreements, working particularly closely with the Director of Policy in this regard;

• Collaborates with the Head of Communications and other relevant staff to guide staff in Africa in effective communication of TRAFFIC profile and messaging to target audiences

Other duties

• Plays and active role in TRAFFIC’s global direction and oversight as member Senior Leadership Team;

• Provides input to the technical review of TRAFFIC publications and funding proposals;

• Represents TRAFFIC at national and international meetings.

Requirements

• Significant work experience relevant to nature conservation, familiarity with major trends in biodiversity conservation policy and issues relevant to the trade in animals and plants.

• Broad international experience, a good understanding of wildlife management and sustainable development issues, international nature conservation laws and agreements and the range of policies affecting the conservation, use of and trade in biological resources.

• Strong skills in environmental research, analysis and policy with knowledge of biological and social science and insight into drivers of government and private sector decision-making.

• Strong knowledge and experience of project design, management and evaluation methods.

• A university degree and preferably a post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline.

• Proven experience in supervision and an ability to work co-operatively with others, both in an office situation and with other colleagues and partners, with respect for and sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches.

• Good IT skills and strong communications skills with proven experience of working with the media, both written and verbally.

• Fluency in English; competency in French desirable.

• A willingness to travel world-wide on a regular basis and to balance competing demands.

Industry

• Conservation

Employment Type

Full-time