Law Enforcement Training Officer- OWR (DRC)

Position: Law Enforcement Training Officer, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Location: Epulu, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Reports To: Law Enforcement Advisor
Direct Reports: None
Start date: February 2023

Purpose:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been active in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) for more than 30 years, supporting its creation, and subsequently working closely with ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) – the government agency responsible for protected areas and wildlife – in its management. In December 2018, WCS and ICCN signed a 10-year management agreement that delegated management authority of the OWR to WCS. This mandate is implemented through the OWR Management Unit (RMU), which is led by the Reserve Director and is the executive body in charge of all day-to-day management activities, operations and personnel in the OWR.

WCS is seeking a Law Enforcement Training Officer (LE Training Officer) to strengthen capacity and provide support to the implementation of effective law enforcement within OWR. The LE Training Officer will advise and support the OWR Director, the Assistant Director and the Head of Law Enforcement on activities and operations to build security and disrupt criminality in OWR. A significant part of the LE Advisor’s work will be building the capacity of the eco-guard force. S/he has the drive, ambition and vision to build a LE team that is capable of ensuring the security of the reserve, and disrupting criminality within and surrounding the reserve. The person will be comfortable living and working in a remote conservation area. S/he will be able to operate in a challenging political and working environment.

The position is based permanently on-site at the OWR headquarters in Epulu, Ituri Province.

Responsibilities
Overall, the Law Enforcement Training Officer will advise on all aspects related to improved security of the reserve and disrupting criminality within and surrounding the reserve.
This will include, among others, to support the OWR Reserve Director and Assistant Director to advise on, guide and mentor
i) intelligence collection and analysis,
ii) the development of the capacity of OWR law enforcement staff – including training and mentoring,
iii) planning and operations, and, in addition,
v) to advise, mentor and guide the Head of Law Enforcement on day-to-day operations.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Advising, guiding and supporting the OWR Reserve Director and the Assistant Director with the development of an effective law enforcement program for the OWR:
• To develop and implement a law enforcement staff training and mentoring plan that will result in building and developing the skills and competence of all OWR LE staff, particularly the Head of Law Enforcement, section and platoon leaders, through training and mentorship
• To adapt and implement an innovative OWR LE strategy.
• To develop and implement relevant policies and procedures related to law enforcement, including codes of conduct of eco guards
• To assist with the identification, recruitment and management of external consultants, as required, in the development and implementation of effective law enforcement, and training and mentorship programs
• To support the OWR Investigations Unit to gather, collate and analyse information, leading to the development of actionable intelligence.
• To support the OWR Legal and Judicial Program Team with the case management and successful prosecution and convictions of cases involving illegal activities
• To ensure correct conduct of routine operations, including mentoring in the delivery of patrol orders, inspections, and debriefs
• To optimize manpower, including revising leave rotations, training and patrol schedules; to develop and implement an operational readiness mechanism (ORM)
• To manage and improve command structures, maintain clear and detailed personnel files, submission monthly law enforcement reports, mentorship all levels of the Law Enforcement hierarchy, and ensure high levels of motivation, standards, and discipline
• To coordinate and supervise the selection and training of new eco guards
• To coordinate field operations managers to ensure full integration of activities, and jointly planning aerial surveillance and helicopter operations as and when air assets become available, whilst maintaining appropriate use and effective risk management
• To coordinate and supervise specialised courses for selected eco guards • To ensure the implementation of crisis management and serious incident procedures
• To work with the OWR senior management (including the OWR Reserve Director and the Assistant Director, the Head of Programmes and the Community Development Lead) to implement an OWR eco guard well-being and motivation scheme
• Ensuring all OWR LE staff are equipped with the appropriate equipment and clothing to perform their job properly

2. Working with the OWR Reserve Director, the Assistant Director and Communications Manager to ensure effective and strategic communications and coordination:
• To maintain daily close coordination with the OWR Director, OWR Assistant Director, Head of Law Enforcement, and the Training consultant.
• To work with the Communications Manager and external consultants, as contracted, to develop and implement strategic and effective communications
• To support coordination and communication with the OWR stakeholders with regard to all LE matters
• To support planning and coordination with other key state agencies, as directed by the OWR Director.
• To maintain productive internal communications with senior OWR staff, partners and stakeholders

3. Under the supervision of the OWR Reserve Director and Assistant Director, preparing deliverables and proposals
• To develop annual, trimestral and monthly operation plans, work plans and budgets, regular donor progress reports, and technical reports. S/He will also contribute relevant information on LE needs to fundraising proposals.
• To support the achievement of quarterly and annual field operations and training targets, whilst still responding and adapting to changing situations on the ground
• To ensure that all data relevant to the OWR Results Framework are collected and submitted to the OWR M&E Officer in a timely and accurate way
• To identify, monitor and report on risks, according to the risk management plan, including coordination of risk response actions
• To undertake internal staff and program evaluations as required

4. Other responsibilities:
• To operate in accordance with the laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the statutes of ICCN, the Reserve internal regulations, and the policies and procedures of WCS DRC
• To be available to perform all reasonable tasks assigned as part of the service by the OWR Director and Assistant Director
• To assist greater reserve management, including participation in weekly management meetings, liaison with the operations manager for logistical support

• Hold a full driving licence
• Experience in Africa and conservation Law Enforcement (nice to have)
• Experience with Communications and Operation rooms operating systems
• Computer literate and able to produce reports, training plans, equipment requirements and budget forecasts.
• A commitment to working collegially with all staff, and professionally and diplomatically with all partner organisations – government and non-government in a culturally diverse environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining partnerships and individual relationships in a complex political environment
• The willingness to gain an understanding of the institutional and legal framework of conservation in DRC, as well as of relevant policy challenges.
• Proven experience in remote areas of the world, the ability and skills to make the most of any given situation
• A strong working proficiency in French and English and/or KiSwahili
• Previous experience within Africa, and ability to work with and sensitivity to a diverse group of people including those of different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds
• And, in the face of sometimes profound challenges, the LE Trainer will have flexibility, optimism, good humour, passion for excellence, motivation and ambition. In such circumstances, s/he will be able to maintain high morale among his/her colleagues, contractors and staff.
• A minimum of 10 years of military experience in the Infantry/Marine and a minimum of 1 tour as an Instructor at an Infantry skills school having held the rank of Senior Non-Commissioned Officer or Captain.
• Jungle and Riverine experience
• Be medically trained
• Hold a full driving licence
• Experience in Africa and conservation Law Enforcement (nice to have)
• Experience with Communications and Operation rooms operating systems
• Computer literate and able to produce reports, training plans, equipment requirements and budget forecasts.
• A commitment to working collegially with all staff, and professionally and diplomatically with all partner organisations – government and non-government in a culturally diverse environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining partnerships and individual relationships in a complex political environment
• The willingness to gain an understanding of the institutional and legal framework of conservation in DRC, as well as of relevant policy challenges.
• Proven experience in remote areas of the world, the ability and skills to make the most of any given situation
• A strong working proficiency in French and English and/or KiSwahili
• Previous experience within Africa, and ability to work with and sensitivity to a diverse group of people including those of different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds
• And, in the face of sometimes profound challenges, the LE Trainer will have flexibility, optimism, good humour, passion for excellence, motivation and ambition. In such circumstances, s/he will be able to maintain high morale among his/her colleagues, contractors and staff.