Research Officer - ReTTA at TRAFFIC
PROJECT BACKGROUND
TRAFFIC is implementing a five-year project, Reducing Trade Threats to Africa’s wild species and ecosystems (RETTA). The project’s purpose is to strengthen actions to conserve and protect wildlife populations, areas of high biodiversity, and communities in Africa threatened by illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, with a particular focus on trade to Asia. The project duration is 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2025. As the project enters its fourth year of implementation,
Recommended:TRAFFIC is seeking an experienced Project Officer to join the Southern African section of the ReTTA team.
The salary range for this position will be USD 30,000 – USD 40,000 p.a. dependent on skills and experience
JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
The successful candidate will undertake research on wildlife trade, within the Southern Africa region. However, the candidate will also be expected to support the team activities in East and Central Africa where necessary. The executant will identify actions designed to reduce illegal or unsustainable trade within Africa and between Africa, Asia, other regions and major international wildlife markets. They will ensure the effective delivery of the project in Southern Africa in close collaboration with the overall RETTA Project Leader
SPECIFIC DUTIES
• Develop and undertake research on wildlife trade in Southern
Africa, carry our market surveys including internet surveys, field work,
conduct interviews and literature reviews.
• Compile reports, briefing papers and other communication outputs.
• Develop recommendations for actions to address illegal and unsustainable trade and encourage uptake in the region.
• Develop concepts and proposals to help leverage additional funding and
technical resources that will be required to ensure the successful
delivery and continuation of the project;
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to strengthen regional
approaches to addressing the trans-continental illegal wildlife trade,
particularly to Asia;
• Provide support to other related projects in the regions, where necessary.
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EXPECTATIONS OF THE ROLE
• Convene, facilitate and/or chair meetings and workshops, and consolidate relationships with potential project collaborators;
• Collaborate and maintain strong internal relationships with TRAFFIC
regional teams in Africa and globally, ensuring all actions are
synergistic, complementary and demonstrate value for money;
• Ensure the technical quality and timely delivery of planned activities;
• Ensure adherence to TRAFFIC’s research and data management protocols;
• Ensure data collection for the TRAFFIC Information System.
REQUIREMENTS
• A university Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant
discipline demonstrating understanding of the subject area;
• Significant professional work experience relevant to nature
conservation and/or wildlife trade and transnational organised crime;
• Strong research and analytical background including research in the field;
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English essential;
• Track record of peer reviewed publications/project outputs.
Project Leader at TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC is implementing a five-year project, Reducing Trade Threats to Africa’s wild species and ecosystems (RETTA). The project’s purpose is to strengthen actions to conserve and protect wildlife populations, areas of high biodiversity, and communities in Africa threatened by illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, with a particular focus on trade to Asia. The project duration is 1 September 2020 to 30 September 2025. As the project enters its fourth year of implementation, TRAFFIC is seeking an experienced Project Leader to guide the team in implementing the key activities and pushing for impact based on the research analysis and recommendations that have been produced through the project to date.
The salary range for this position will be USD 45,000 to USD 55,000 p.a. dependent on skills and experience
JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
This position is responsible for leading and ensuring the effective delivery of the overall project in its final two years. Work will require applying an insight-led, results-oriented and collaborative approach, contributing to TRAFFIC’s development in the region and its global strategy to 2030. Critical functions include driving for impact, ensuring plans for influencing change with relevant stakeholders are implemented and impact of the project is tracked. Finalising the project will include ensuring budgets and spending is tightly managed and annual and final donor reporting highlights the impacts the project has made.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
• Lead responsibility for ensuring the successful implementation of
the project, working closely with programme office directors for
East/Southern and Central Africa, and coordinating a project team based
in both Africa and UK.
• Managing staff, donor liaison and reporting, and annual work plans
• Working closely with the Project Admin/Finance Officer to manage sub-agreements and budgets.
• Leading the compilation of reports, briefing papers and other
communication materials, including technical review and sign-off, to
ensure quality control and timely submission.
• Developing and implementing research partnership strategies in Africa
to strengthen international co-operation addressing trade of illegal
wildlife stemming from Africa.
• Developing and implementing advocacy strategies to strengthen
international approaches to addressing trans-continental trade of
illegal wildlife between Africa and other continents with a primary
focus on Asia.
• Proactively managing relationships and fostering dialogue amongst an
‘international community’ of wildlife trade stakeholders and potential
project collaborators.
• Other duties as required by the line manager.
Expectations of the Role
• Collaborating and maintaining strong internal relationships with
TRAFFIC regional teams in Africa and globally, ensuring all actions are
synergistic, complementary and demonstrate value for money.
• Ensuring the technical quality and timely delivery of work plan
activities, including conducting a rigorous evaluation of project
activities and interventions and suggesting adaptive management
approaches to amplify project impact.
• Ensuring adherence to TRAFFIC’s research and data management protocols
• Convening, facilitating and/or chairing meetings and workshops, and
consolidating relationships with potential project collaborators.
• Ensuring effective linkages to delivery of TRAFFIC’s wider programme
priorities with specific reference to research and building capacity and
partnerships to deliver a lasting conservation impact.
• Developing project concepts for potential next phase of funding.
REQUIREMENTS
• A university Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant
discipline demonstrating understanding of the subject area.
• Significant professional work experience relevant to nature
conservation and sustainable development, preferably within an
international NGO and with work experience in at least one African
country.
• Excellent understanding of international nature conservation
agreements and laws, and of policies and regulations regarding
international trade in endangered species.
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• Exceptional ability and confidence in communicating and influencing
government and intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental
organisations, civil society, private sector and other conservation
partners.
• Proven skills in project management, including planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to strategically identify and expand linkages between ReTTA and TRAFFIC’s wider programme
• 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.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including budget development, and fundraising experience.
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English
• Communications skills and experience of working with the media.
• A willingness to travel
• An ability to work under pressure.
• Good IT literacy and experience with Microsoft Office.
