The Wildlife Conservation Society, as an international conservation organization active in Madagascar since 1994, is committed to ensuring the conservation of Madagascar's biodiversity through sound management practices based on solid research. In the Antongil Bay, northeast Madagascar WCS is working in collaboration with partner organizations and local communities to better understand the biology and human ecology of this critically important landscape in order to ensure its lasting protection. The Landscape encompasses marine, coastal and forest habitats and includes two of the island's largest protected areas, Masoala National Park and the Makira Protected Area. Together Masoala, Makira and their buffer zones represent over 900,000 ha and as such over 10 % of the remaining forests of Madagascar, including half of the island's critically endangered costal forest and 25 % of the remaining critically threatened lowland forest.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) currently seeks a full time Program Coordinator for the Antongil Bay Landscape. Under the Ministry of Environment, Water, Forest and Tourism (MINEEFT), WCS is the designated manager of the Makira Protected Area, and with the Madagascar National Park Authority (ANGAP) the co-manger of the Masoala National Park. Working along side the Makira Protect Area National Director and the Masoala National Park Director, the program coordinator will support protected area management plan execution while provide technical leadership and strategic direction in WCS led landscape level planning and implementation - ensuring appropriate integration of WCS led activities in regional conservation planning. The Antongil Bay Landscape Coordinator will be stationed in the District Capital of Maroantsetra and report to the country program senior technical advisor and terrestrial program director.

In providing Landscape program oversight, the coordinator will provide technical support to the following key site-based activities:

Research, Ecological Monitoring, and Surveillance:

• Oversee development of landscape ecological monitoring programs including coordinator of protected area field activities and capacity building in ranger-based monitoring and GIS resources;
• Oversee development of an accessible ecological and socioeconomic electronic database for the landscape to inform and target field activities;
• Expand and prioritize the Landscape's research program based on identified conservation targets including preparing funding proposals for targeted research;
• Work with Makira and Masoala management to continue development of advanced terrestrial and aerial surveillance methods;
• Oversee the continued development and maintenance of physical park infrastructures.

Community Resource Management:

• Work with Makira and Masoala management to expand the system of CBRM monitoring and capacity building to promote community good governance and improved land stewardship;
• Oversee development of a community participatory ecological monitoring program for the Landscape;
• Work with Makira and Masoala management teams and regional partners to expand the portfolio of alternative livelihood activities that improve local population wellbeing while reducing anthropogenic pressures on natural resources;
• Support the continued development of ecotourism opportunities in and around the protected areas.

Capacity Building:

• Continued support to MINEEFT, ANGAP, local NGO partners, local and regional government authorities as part of the Landscape Program's support for local and regional capacity building;
• Work with Makira and Masoala management teams to ensure the compatibility of protected area management systems with national level policies and practices;

Administration:

• Provide oversight for accounting and financial procedures in observance of WCS, ANGAP, and donor reporting requirements;
• Provide oversight for scheduled Project strategic planning meetings (weekly, trimestrial, annual)

Profile

The appropriate candidate will have an advanced degree in human ecology, biological sciences, natural resource management or related field, as well at least three years of conservation project management experience with demonstrated organizational, administrative, human resource management, and project planning skills. Experience with community outreach programs including eco-tourism, sustainable alternative economic activities, environmental education, and participative ecological monitoring will also be beneficial. He/she will also have the ability to work under difficult field conditions with host country nationals, as well as have excellent French language skills.

Send cover letter and CV with subject "Antongil Bay Coordinator_your surname" to Helen Crowley at: hcrowley@wcs.org, copy to recruitment@wcs.org