JOB DESCRIPTION

Position title:Field Deployment Technical Assistant, PARAP/Protected Area Program, WWF DRC

Reports to:PARAP Principal Technical Advisor and PARAP Senior Technical PA Advisor, Protected Area Progam, WWF DRC

Supervises:PARAP/Protected Area Program deployment staff and partner as designated

Date:July 09, 2013

  1. Mission of the Department:

A joint initiative by ICCN and WWF, PARAP’s goal is to develop a scientifically-sound Protected Area Network Strategic Plan for the DRC by early 2015. In order to reach this ambitious objective, PARAP is undertaking extensive field data collection and compilation to inform a series of gap assessments and contextual analyses, which will be used to define 2014 PCI, 2020 PAN objectives and 2015-2020 work programs.

  1. Major Functions:

Provide both operational and technical oversight to activities during PARAP field deployments;

Coordinate data collection and contribute to analysis and production of reports associated with PARAP field surveys.

  1. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the DRC Protected Area (PA) Program Manager/PARAP Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) and the Senior Technical PA Advisor (STA), the Field deployment technical assistant’s major duties and responsibilities are:

Management responsibilities

  • Serve as a member of the PARAP Field Deployment Coordination committee;
  • Provide direct oversight to PARAP Database and Information Systems Officer during field deployment;
  • As directed by PTA and/or STA, provide oversight toPARAP Operations Manager and Field Survey Coordinator during field deployment;
  • Oversee and coordinate field related partnership agreements and / or consultancy contracts as directed.

PARAP field surveys

  • In conjunction with PARAP Field Survey Coordinator, guarantee information required to elaborate sampling design is available in a timely manner to inform survey coordination and implementation;
  • Assist in refinement of PARAP field survey methodologies;
  • Supervise collection of PARAP field data according to PARAP field methodologies;
  • Guaranteedata entry and quality control for allPARAP field data collected and oversee pre-treatment of field data for entry into PARAP database;
  • Oversee transfer of field data to PARAP database in a timely and systematic fashion by the PARAP Database and Information Systems Officer;
  • Coordinate and contribute to the elaboration of reports from PARAP field surveys, including survey maps, presentation and synthesis of data collected, and preliminary analyses of results;
  • Participate in relevant Technical Working Group

Technical training and capacity building

  • In coordination with Senior PA Advisor and in conjunction with PARAP Field Survey Coordinator, assure adequate training for PARAP staffand site-specific members of field survey teams, including development of training strategies, elaboration of training materials and co-coordination of training sessions.
  • Train PARAP field survey teams and PARAP Database and Information Systems Officer on data quality control and data entry in coordination with the PARAP GIS support unit according to existing procedures.
  • Train PARAP field survey teams in use and maintaining of field equipment.
  • Conduct evaluation of PARAP field team capacity.

Finally, the PARAP Field Deployment Technical Assistant will contribute to other PARAP activities as requested by her/his supervisors.

Field operations

  • Oversee assessment of infrastructure and logistics for deployment at and between field survey sites, including infrastructure, roads, rivers, etc.
  • Oversee identification and mobilization of necessary human resources to conduct PARAP field surveys in assessment sites
  • Lead coordination of operational aspects of PARAP field deployment, including assuring coordination between PARAP Operations Manager and Field Survey Coordinator
  • Co-supervise with Field Survey Coordinator preparation and implementation of PARAP field surveyson site
  • Participate to awareness raising and understanding of local communities on PARAPobjectives and field survey strategy, and maintain relations with other ICCN staff and traditional leaders throughout deployment at field assessment sites.
  • Provide oversight to PARAP Operations Manager to assure proper implementation of WWF procedures and PARAP operation guidelines, including as concerns management of funds.
  1. Profile:

Required qualifications

  • Minimum Master’s degree in natural resources management or a related field or the equivalent in working experience;
  • Over 2 years working experience in conservation organizations, including preferably field experience in the DRC or elsewhere in Africa.
  • Strong understanding of ecology, natural resources and protected area management principles;
  • Proven administrative, financial and organizational management skills;
  • Proven experience in contract management (partnership or consultancy);
  • Fluency in French and strong working knowledge of English are mandatory;

Required skills and competencies

  • Proven experience in data collection and data-base management, including spatial one;
  • Proven familiarity with in ecological statistics;
  • Proven team management skills, set objectives, motivate and drive towards results;
  • Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders, including local communities;
  • Ability to take initiative and prioritize among competing demands;
  • Ability to work in remote and difficult conditions;
  • Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
  1. Working Relationships:

Internal -Works closely with the PARAP./Protected Area program team and other staff from WWF DRC National Office and programs to coordinate efforts.

External – Works with major PARAP/Protected Area program WWF DRC implementation partners: Protected Area management authority (ICCN), international and national partners (research institution, NGOs, consultant etc.), and local authorities and communities.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

03.Job Description Template 21 Apr2010.doc / date / initials

Prepared by Supervisor: ______Date: ______

Accepted by Departmental Director: ______Date: ______

Accepted by Staff member: ______Date: ______

03.Job Description Template 21 Apr2010.doc / date / initials