Cameroon Country Coordinator- Central Africa Program(Yaound, Cameroon)

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs may require the services of a country coordinator to help administer U.S. government (USG) and other various donor-funded programs in Cameroon.

Background

The USFS, with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of State, has ongoing or developing partnerships with Congo Basin country governments as well as with regional institutions and organizations in the Congo Basin region to address sustainable management of forest resources, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through various USG programs aimed at conserving critical Congo Basin forests, USFS is strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of governmental and intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations. In collaboration with these organizations, USFS is strengthening community-based models for forest management, conservation, and restoration; increasing the effectiveness of protected area management and ecotourism; improving capacity to deter illegal timber harvest and trade; and monitoring, measuring, and reporting changes in forestry and other land use, among other programs.

To support the coordination and implementation of this work, the USFS may seek a full-time Cameroon Country Coordinator to coordinate the planning and implementation of USFS technical activities in Cameroon and regional activities as part of the portfolio of various US government-funded initiatives. This position will be based in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The specified responsibilities will be carried out in collaboration with other USFS International Programs management staff.

Position Description

The responsibilities of the Cameroon Country Coordinator would include, but are not limited to:

• Managing, coordinating, and representing the Cameroon program, including CARPE and SilvaCarbon, as well as United Nations Environment Program donor-funded activities, to partners and stakeholders;
• Overseeing the day-to-day management and operations of the USFS office and operations in Cameroon, including supervising consultants and office finances and logistics;
• Serving as the local point of contact for USFS activities, working with the appropriate Cameroonian regional and international partner institutions, including the Central Africa Regional Forestry Organization (COMIFAC), government partners, local universities, other US government agencies, and others;
• Building and maintaining relationships with other donor organizations/governments and technical partners, ensuring the mobilization of financial resources, building synergies, and avoiding duplication;
• Coordinating, planning, and managing the effective implementation of all USFS technical activities in Cameroon, working closely with the USFS program manager(s), detailers, and other Country Coordinators in the region;
• Serving as an active member of the USFS Central Africa sub-regional team by participating in regional planning and bilateral activities in other countries, as needed;
• Participating in work planning and reporting for activities relevant to Cameroon and the broader Central African region;
• Coordinating with USFS Program Managers and partners to prepare work plans, budgets, technical reports, and all other relevant aspects of program implementation in a timely manner;
• Liaising with the SilvaCarbon/Climate Change team members throughout program implementation and reporting and collaborating closely with the Regional Finance Specialist and in-country partners to manage logistics, financial, and administrative tasks for program activities, including but not limited to events, meetings, and regional travel;
• Participating in national, regional, and international dialogues related to natural resource management and climate change, ensuring that program activities are in line with country needs and adhere to national and international requirements; and
• Orienting and coordinating technical missions for visiting USFS teams, as well as other international experts, in-country partners, and other technical consultants.

• Minimum of 10 years' experience working in project management and natural resource management issues in Cameroon and the broader Central African region;
• At least a master's degree or equivalent in forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, biology, or related field;
• Excellent team management skills, the ability to work effectively with a team, and a strong understanding of leadership principles;
• Experience managing and reporting on USG or other international donor-funded activities;
• Experience working with climate change, forest monitoring, land use planning, and curriculum development for training programs in Cameroon and the broader region, including the social and economic issues surrounding the topics;
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate between multiple stakeholders in a multicultural environment to achieve project objectives at a national and regional scale; and,
• Strong writing, organizational, management, and communication skills in French and English
• Demonstrated ability to be adaptable and flexible in a dynamic work environment;
• Nationals of the Central Africa region and women are especially encouraged to apply.