Project Manager

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)—a global non-profit organization dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places—is recruiting a Project Manager (Yankari Game Reserve) for its Nigeria Country Program in Bauchi State. Reporting to the Country Director, this senior conservation leader will provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the WCS Yankari Landscape. The role manages law enforcement coordination, SMART/EarthRanger biomonitoring, community governance, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, donor compliance, and high-level government stakeholder relations in Bauchi State.

• Location: Bauchi State, Nigeria (Field-based with travel across Yankari landscape)

• Contract Type: Fixed Term (13 Months, renewable based on funding)

• Expected Start Date: October 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Landscape Leadership: Provide overall leadership for the Yankari Game Reserve project; manage multi-component operations, annual work plans, field budgets, and multidisciplinary project teams.

• Law Enforcement & Security: Coordinate anti-poaching and habitat protection efforts with the Law Enforcement Advisor, government security agencies, and community leaders; oversee spatial monitoring tools (SMART / EarthRanger).

• Biomonitoring & Research: Guide ecological tracking of priority species and habitats; utilize GIS and spatial datasets to drive evidence-based conservation strategies.

• Community Engagement & Governance: Partner with the Governance Coordinator to implement conflict mitigation, strengthen participatory governance structures, and reduce human-wildlife conflicts around the reserve.

• Donor & Government Stakeholder Relations: Support the Country Director in maintaining partnerships with government authorities, Bauchi State agencies, and international donors; oversee timely technical reporting and proposal development.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Governance, or a closely related field.

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in conservation project management, including multi-component donor-funded programs.

• Technical Skills: Proven background in law enforcement support, biodiversity tracking tools (SMART, GIS, KoboToolbox, EarthRanger), community co-management, and grant reporting.

• Language Abilities: Fluency in English and Hausa (written and spoken) is strictly required.

• Field Readiness: Willingness to live and work in Bauchi State with frequent trips to field stations within the Yankari landscape.