Vacancy #: 905
Unit:TRAFFIC International
Organization: TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC)
Location: South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa
Reporting to: Leader - Wildlife Crime Initiative
Work percentage:100%
Function group
Expected start date: 01 January 2015
Type of contract: Fixed-term (36 months)
Closing date: 13 November 2014
BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. It actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
To address the issue of illegal wildlife trade, and the threats posed to high-profile ‘flagship' species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes and marine turtles, TRAFFIC and WWF have designed an ambitious joint initiative focusing on urgent and sustainable solutions to combat wildlife crime. The Wildlife Crime Initiative (WCI) works with partners to drive three parallel pillars as part of an integrated strategy: 'Stop the Poaching' pillar, 'Stop the Trafficking' pillar and 'Stop the Demand' pillar and these pillars are supported by a cross cutting stream on related international policy initiatives.
Delivery of the Stop the Trafficking pillar strategy and implementation plan will be the main function of the Coordinator - WCI and the effectiveness of delivery against the targets set therein will be a measure the performance of the post. The overall aim will be to deliver transformation amongst governments, support them in disrupting crime networks operations, and building international and local institutions leadership to reduce the trafficking of threatened and endangered species.
The salary for this position will be USD58,000 - USD65,000 per annum dependent on skills and experience.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
The Coordinator position provides the coordination and leadership of the WCI stop the trafficking pillar, a critical function for TRAFFIC. It focuses on the development and delivery of innovative and integrated solutions, with the right partners in the right places. The role will deal with some sensitive issues, as it will work to help partners improve governance in countries in Africa and Asia where governance is often challenging. In particular, the role will help governments to combat criminal activity, while also supporting partnerships to build in transparent mechanisms to mitigate corrupt practice. Characteristic duties include:
- Leading and co-ordinating the implementation of the WCI Stop the Trafficking pillar strategy to reduce trafficking in priority species and wildlife products, applying an insight-led, results-oriented and collaborative approach.
- Providing technical oversight for this work in order to consolidate TRAFFIC's reputation as a leader in this field, and continuing to build the relationships required to strengthen its role as a strategic convenor of governments, agencies and institutions to mitigate the smuggling and illegal trade in priority species and products, along priority trade chains.
- Developing concepts and proposals to help leverage the additional funding and technical resources that will be required to ensure the successful delivery of this work.
- Ensuring a streamlined, coordinated and synergistic approach to the design and delivery of the WCI Stop the Trafficking pillar implementation plan, primarily in Africa and Asia with TRAFFIC, WWF and partners.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Monitoring that the performance benchmarks are being met and on track, and taking remedial steps to resolve slow progress or impediments, through adaptive management.
- Help secure resources to hire and then manage regional advisors on illegal wildlife trade in Central Africa, East/Southern Africa and Asia. Build a team approach and ensure cooperation between TRAFFIC and WWF in the regions via these advisors.
- Liaise with WWF regional anti-poaching advisors to ensure joined up work on the ground between the Stop the Trafficking and Stop the Poaching pillars, particularly in linking intelligence information systems.
- Strategic oversight and guidance of selected illegal trade chain projects and activities from Africa to Asia in cooperation with the Wildlife-TRAPS project leader to avoid duplication.
- Initiating, developing and/or maintaining relationships with institutions (e.g. Interpol) at the regional level, in order to maximise the reach/amplify the impact of TRAFFIC's work in this area.
- Provide timely and relevant internal communications to the TRAFFIC and WWF networks on progress with the pillar work.
- Helping to increase understanding amongst government, inter-government, private sector and civil society representatives around anti-trafficking approaches (carrots and sticks), for rapid impact on the ground.
- Fostering dialogue as appropriate, between the diverse array of organisations now delivering support to these efforts in Africa and Asia, in order to identify opportunities for, and help to realise, the joined-up approaches between them that might be required.
- Proactively managing donor relationships, including leading the compilation of technical reports, briefing papers and other communication materials, and ensuring quality control and timely submission.
- Convening, facilitating and/or chairing meetings and workshops as required.
- Liaising with TRAFFIC Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Management Team members as appropriate, as well as co-ordinating with TRAFFIC and WWF's regional teams, to ensure this high profile portfolio of work realises its full potential.
- Participating as a core team member of the Wildlife Crime Initiative and provide strategic guidance to the WCI leadership, and national staff working on illegal wildlife trade.
- Supporting TRAFFIC's broader programme priorities, including links with WWF and IUCN, to help build the capacity and partnerships required to deliver lasting conservation impact
REQUIREMENTS
- A university degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. law enforcement, criminology, trafficking in illicit commodities, international trade regulations, criminal law and policy, governance and tackling corruption, capacity building in developing countries and other relevant areas linked to these themes).
- A minimum of 10 years professional experience or exposure relevant to the disciplines listed above, and preferentially with work experience in Africa or Asia country.
- Familiarity with – or interest and understanding of – the dynamics of, major trends in the trade in wildlife and connections to organized crime
- Experience in building partnerships with government and intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society, private sector and other conservation partners, to engage in and contribute towards the achievement of programmatic objectives.
- Excellent skills in programme planning and implementation management, including fundraising experience and financial management skills.
- Good interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to work effectively as part of a small team, with respect for and sensitivity to multi-cultural approaches.
- Communications skills and experience of working with stakeholders ranging from local conservation NGOs to higher levels of governments.
- Knowledge of methods, technologies and systems used by law enforcement to interdict illegal trade is an advantage.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a distributed regional and global team comprised of both TRAFFIC and WWF colleagues, with sometimes the need for communications outside of regular office hours due to time-zone coordination.
- Fluency and excellent writing skills in English, with competency in any additional languages such as French being a strong advantage.
- A willingness and ability to travel widely and frequently globally, to less developed countries and remote locations, and working under pressure.
- Good knowledge of MS Office computer software applications.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the 'Apply' button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST).
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.
www.iucn.org
