Main purpose of job:

The Congo Basin region is the second largest tropical forest basin in the world and is of continental and global significance. Covering an area of roughly 3.7 million km2, it’s the second-largest river basin in the world after the Amazon, and one of the last remaining major terrestrial carbon stores on the planet. These forests make up almost 70% of Africa’s forests overall, including 91% of Africa’s moist forests, and are home to an extraordinary level of biodiversity that represents immeasurable potential for regional socio-economic development.     

 The Congo Basin Forest Action (CBFA) Programme has been designed to address the primary driver of deforestation across the Congo Basin – small-scale agricultural practices by local communities. It will do this by working directly with these groups to support transitions to more sustainable activities, ultimately reducing deforestation rates.  

This will be achieved through a broad range of complementary activities. On the ground, these will include establishing and supporting effective community forests, improving agricultural efficiencies, and encouraging sustainable agroforestry. These activities will be reinforced through helping local communities to secure and operationalise land tenure rights, whilst building local and regional capacities and knowledge, with a focus on autotomising activities and capabilities to promote success beyond the programme period.  

To achieve this, CBFA will have co-design and co-ownership at its core. This means ensuring beneficiaries form a key part of the design of activities. 

CBFA will consist of four complementary programme components that will work synergistically to catalyse improved forest management solutions that lead to reduced deforestation and improved outcomes for local communities through an overarching intervention approach: 

Component 1: Forests for Local Communities – interventions co-designed and co-owned by beneficiaries for lasting legacies.   

Component 2: CBFA Partners Facility – flexible support for best practice and innovation, in support of component 1 objectives.  

Component 3: Multilateral Support – driving collaboration and collective opportunities.   

Component 4: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning – ensuring effective and agile programming. 

This is one of two Forests and Sustainable Development Adviser roles, which will support the delivery of components 1 and 2 within their respective areas of coverage.  This role will be based in Yaounde and will cover Cameroon, Gabon and RoC. The other position will be based in Kinshasa and cover DRC only. Both roles will need to have good technical expertise in the forestry sector and on local sustainable development.

The job holder will work closely with stakeholders, including other donors, national and local governments, implementing partners, and beneficiaries, notably civil society and local communities. He/She will ensure that co-designed activities are developed effectively and delivered appropriately, whilst supporting management of Partners Facility proposals and ensuring activities are also delivered appropriately. The job holder will provide FCDO with on the ground project supervision, capacity building, national and regional co-ordination and engagement activities. The job holder will act as the CBFA’s lead HMG contact in the country, acting to ensure the programme is implemented effectively and remains aligned to UK government interests and objectives. He/She will provide country specific and regional support to the FCDO programme team and in turn external contractors working to effectively monitor, implement and evaluate the programme. He/She will also coordinate a range of administrative, logistical and project management activities. While the post will be based in Yaounde, the role holder will be required to work closely with others across the region and in the UK. Internal and international travel will be required.   

The role holder will also work closely with other individuals delivering other HMG programming across the region to ensure alignment and complementarity. Where possible, the role holder will build relationships with other donors to also ensure complimentary and increased efficiencies with other programming activities across the region, including with CAFI. 

Roles and responsibilities

Programme Delivery

Work effectively with the FCDO programme team in the UK and the regional, external contractors and regional colleagues to drive implementation of CBFA. 

Support co-design activities delivered by component 1 consortium, alongside working with the component 2 fund manager to appraise and oversee proposals.  

Monitor and assess risks and opportunities associated with the programme, reporting clearly to the programme team. 

Identify errors or problems, take action as necessary to resolve and/or notify others in the team. 

Write clear reports and briefings as required.   

Assist with the orientation of visiting UK officials or contractors associated with CBFA, providing local knowledge and understanding. 

Programme Stakeholder Engagement

Build a network and communicate with a wide range of professionals at a local, national, regional and international scale. 

Work with HMG teams regionally and in the UK to create and deliver publicity for the programme. 

Provide an effective and professional service when liaising with colleagues, partners, stakeholders and the public using tact and diplomacy to encourage effective working. 

Respond to enquiries from key stakeholders to provide information in line with agreed protocols and procedures. 

Support the planning of meetings, high level events and conferences. 

Support projects by developing and identifying communication resources required, ensuring all materials and resources are current and appropriate. 

Support to Post

Assist British High Commission Yaoundé on climate, forests, and nature-related activities as required per the percentage outlined. This could include support in preparing briefings, presentations, and events.  

Carry out representational duties on behalf of Posts, including attending and/or participating in events and receptions.  

Ensure Posts are continuously updated on the CBFA Programme, aligning any workstreams with Posts’ priorities where deemed appropriate by the programme team. 

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the FCDO programming team. These responsibilities may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation. 

• The post holder must be fluent in written and spoken English and French,
• have excellent organisational prioritisation and coordination skills to meet complex logistical and operational deadlines.
• They will support work on behalf of FCDO and the Embassies in the region to ensure communication, policy and strategic opportunities provided by the programme’s activities are identified and delivered.
• Post holder will have strong communication skills, be able to work in a team and independently. They must also be able to engage effectively and develop excellent working relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders at local, national and international levels.
• Experience of working with civil society, local communities, and national governments within respective nations of responsibility.

Language requirements: 

Language: English and French

Level of language required: Professionally Fluent