Regional Director, Congo Basin

About WWF

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. We’re experiencing a growing realization that nature is our life-support system and that no one will be spared from the impacts of its loss.

Here at WWF, an independent conservation organization active in nearly 100 countries, we are working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife.

We are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030 – a New Deal for Nature and People as comprehensive as the global climate deal.

Working with many others – from individuals and communities to business and government – WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

More about WWF on our website.

The Role

• Provide strategic leadership on Congo Basin issues, setting vision and tone for the region and ensuring alignment with WWF Global Goals and Roadmap 2030.
• Build and lead a high-performing regional leadership team and strong Country Offices, fostering cohesion, operational excellence, and a culture of performance and engagement.
• Drive development and implementation of the Congo Basin strategy, monitor progress, and resolve challenges to achieve conservation impact.
• Secure strategic partnerships and high-level political commitment within and outside Africa; strengthen WWF’s profile and influence policies to advance global priorities.
• Oversee policy and advocacy efforts, resource mobilisation, and engagement with Network partners and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with WWF standards, social policies, and governance frameworks; monitor performance using KPIs and Panda Impact tools.
• Anticipate and address regional issues impacting conservation delivery; champion opportunities for transboundary initiatives and joint action with other conservation groups.
• Guarantee effective communications and visibility at national, regional, and global levels; maintain strong relationships with governments, civil society, and business leaders.
• Ensure financial sustainability and robust organisational development; manage resources across conservation, operations, finance, HR, and partnerships.
• Provide transformational leadership, staff engagement, and talent development to build future leadership and uphold WWF values.
• Performs other duties as requested by the Chief Country Offices Division, WWF International.

• At least ten years of professional experience in a leadership role, of which 5 years within Central Africa region
• Proven knowledge and experience of the not-for-profit sector, preferably of environmental and/or developmental non-government organisations;
• Proven knowledge and experience of human rights and community-based approaches to conservation;
• Experience working with and influencing high-level government officials and other key senior stakeholders in Africa;
• Good understanding of key conservation challenges in the Congo Basin region and linkages with global priorities;
• Proven track of leading and building an organisation;
• Experience in designing and implementing conservation projects on the ground;
• Broad knowledge of operational issues and performance management, including the development and implementation of successful strategic Business Plans;
• Advanced degree in Environment/Conservation related areas, Business Management, International Relations/Development or other related fields;
• Exposure to and understanding of policy and partnership-related work;
• Prior knowledge of the WWF Network is an advantage.

• Fluent in French and English
• A proven people leader with the capability of growing an organisation’s impact and building future leadership and talent in the organisation;
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the Central Africa region, cultures/communities and socio-political environment.
• Works to the highest level of integrity and confidentiality; with an understanding of risk-based approaches and social policies and safeguards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent an organisation at a range of local and international fora, in the media and with the public;
• High-level negotiation, collaborating and influencing skills and the capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels in the business, not-for-profit, scientific and political communities;
• Networks at the highest levels of Government and Business;
• Very strategic and demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic plans;
• Track record of building organisational talent by nurturing performance culture and encouraging empowerment and delegation;
• Decisive, courageous and resilient;
• Passion for conservation and WWF’s mandate;
• Committed to equal opportunity employment policies;
• High level of integrity and comprehensive understanding of social policies and safeguards.
• Experience and a good understanding of operating in different cultural environments and managing remote teams;
• Ability to drive change and high performance;
• Available to travel extensively;
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

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