Overview

Born Free USA, an international wildlife conservation and animal protection nonprofit organization, seeks a Wildlife Enforcement Capacity-Building Consultant to provide support for its work to combat wildlife trafficking and end exploitation of wildlife in West Africa. This is an exciting opportunity for a bilingual (English/French) individual experienced in international policy in the environmental or conservation space. This is a remote 24-month independent contractor position to support implementation of a federally funded grant project.

In West Africa, wildlife crime is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, resulting in catastrophic and irreversible damage to ecosystems and the critical services that these ecosystems supply to communities and economies across the region. The West Africa Strategy on Combating Wildlife Crime (WASCWC) was recently validated by The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its 15 member states. To support the implementation of the WASCWC, Born Free USA will work with authorities in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to enhance law enforcement capacity through training workshops and strategic enforcement support. The overarching goal of this project is to reduce wildlife crime in West Africa, benefitting communities, biodiversity, security, and economies across the region.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct background research on issues relating to wildlife crime, including analysis of wildlife crime data and contributing to the development of substantive reports as appropriate.
• Provide logistical and organizational support for training workshops organized in West Africa or remotely as required (e.g. coordinating flight arrangements, working with authorities to finalize workshop budget and invitation package, liaising with interpreters, participating in workshops to oversee logistics and serve as rapporteur, drafting and
  translating workshop reports, reviewing and clearing financial reports post-workshop).
• Contribute to the implementation of a variety of approved project activities, including: developing resources for intelligence data collection, raising awareness about enforcement activities, and preparing technical reports;
• French/English translation of technical reports, emails, and other documents.
• French/English interpretation during meetings and project visits.
• Source and organize professional interpreters for training workshops and other meetings.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including government authorities and non-governmental organizations.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bilingual in French/English. Proficiency in both languages equivalent to that of native speakers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English to the degree of high-level technical writing, translations, and interpretation.
• Advanced degree in natural sciences or environmental policy strongly preferred;
• At least 3 years of professional experience working either on environmental projects or within a policy and advocacy role.
• Experience working on issues related to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or wildlife law enforcement preferred.
• Strong data collection and analytical skills. Ability to synthesize data into coherent reports.
• Excellent drafting and editing skills. Ability to draft or edit technical reports, grant reports, press releases, speeches, interventions and letters for officials, power point presentations, training manuals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Designing skills a plus.

This position requires collaboration with partners in various times zones. Primary working hours will be Central European / West Africa Time (GMT +1). Candidates must be willing to be flexible and accommodating with other hours when needed. Occasional evenings and weekends will be required. Travel to or within West Africa (dependent on COVID-related restrictions or other safety/travel concerns) will be required. Expected travel includes up to 11 trips throughout the project; duration of each trip will vary from 1 to 2 weeks. We welcome international applicants. Candidates located in West Africa preferred.