Program manager, WCS Congo

Reports to: Country DirectorLocation: Brazzaville, Republic of Congo (ROC)Country Program/Sector: WCS Congo ProgramPosition Type: Full-timeInternal liaison: finance director, technical assistants, project coordinators, site managers and senior staff, WCS Central Africa regional program, finance, and technical staffExpected travel: Local travel to field sites and regional officeOrganizational Background:WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.Regional Overview:The Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea program is one of the largest of WCS’s 13 Global Regional Programs, spanning Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Gabon. This is a rapidly growing program with a diverse and expanding portfolio of donors, partners and projects. The region presents a set of complex conservation challenges to biodiversity and their habitats and WCS field programs are addressing these through a number of initiatives including protected area management, community engagement, sustainable livelihoods, policy reform and sustainable financing. WCS recently formally established its regional hub in Kigali, Rwanda which hosts a growing team of technical specialists and regional management to support our country programs and field offices.Congo Program Overview:WCS is the largest international conservation Organization in the Republic of Congo and has been working with government, community and private sector partners to achieve conservation in multiple landscapes across the country for nearly 3 decades. In 1991, WCS signed a Cooperative agreement with the Congolese Government to provide technical advice on the creation and management of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (NNNP) through the Nouabalé-Ndoki Project, which has now developed into a public-private-partnership. WCS Congo has also been internationally recognized for its innovative work in collaboration with the forestry companies working in the peripheral zone of the NNNP (through PROGEPP – Projet de Gestion des Ecosystèmes de la Périphérique au Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki) to promote the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources outside of protected areas. WCS has been working with the Lac Télé Community Reserve since 2001 and coordinates the implementation of bush meat consumption and trafficking reduction orientated projects.Job Summary:The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management and coordinated delivery of the WCS Congo program portfolio, working closely with the Country Director in Brazzaville, and to project coordinators and site managers in the field.The role ensures alignment between technical strategy, operational capacity, financial planning and donor requirements, and supports the effective implementation of a coherent, prioritised and deliverable programme portfolio.Major Responsibilities:Portfolio ManagementOversee management of projects and grants including coordination of programme design and implementation, preparation of proposals, coordination of timely reporting and in-country donor communications, and compliance with donor regulations, ensuring coherence between program design and implementation.Maintain oversight of funding opportunities and grant pipeline tracking, supporting strategic positioning of the programme and alignment with country prioritiesWhere appropriate, act as liaison between donors and fields projects, ensuring timely submission of progress reports, compliance with grant agreements, and consistency between program delivery and donor commitments.Manage database and track opportunities for funding and grants from various sources including files pertaining to Create grants, consultancies, field projects and other agreements for the country program office.Program Development and DeliveryWork with the Country Director, Finance Director, Technical Staff, Project Coordinators and Site Managers to develop and write proposals and ensure alignment between proposal design, budgets and implementation plans, and track grant implementationProvide programme coordination and delivery support to Project Coordinators and Site Managers in the implementation and monitoring of existing work plans, ensuring clarity of timelines, deliverables, and reporting requirementsProvide oversight and support to ensure that Project Coordinators, Technical Assistants and Site Managers adhere to and are aware of WCS policies, donor regulations and government requirements, and address implementation or compliance risks as they ariseEnsure alignment between programme priorities, available funding, and operational capacity, supporting realistic planning, sequencing, and delivery across the portfolio, and addressing misalignments where they ariseWork with Finance Director to monitor and track project budgets, ensuring alignment between financial planning, programme priorities, and implementation timelinesWork with the Logistics Director to oversee efficient planning and quick execution of all field operations to support conservation activities, avoid interruptions; and ensure procurement policies and financial-administrative procedures follow internal and donor requirements.Strategic Support* Lead on development of Operational and Business planning to ensure alignment with strategic planning for the Country Program, ensuring that strategic priorities are operationally feasible, aligned with available resources, and translated into program implementation. * Maintain strong relationships with national and international NGOs, technical partners, and donors, and support the engagement of partners in programme implementation and development in line with WCS Congo’s strategic priorities * Facilitate internal WCS communications between the field, Country office, regional and NY teams ensuring clear workflows, timelines, and coordination across functions (technical, finance, and operations) * As requested by the WCS-Congo Country Director, represent WCS at national and international meetings ensuring consistency with program priorities and positioningMinimum Requirements:* An advanced degree in wildlife biology, anthropology, conservation, social sciences, business and administration or another field relevant to the position's responsibilities * At least five years’ experience working in a conservation management or policy position, with experience in Congo or Central Africa a distinct advantage * Experience in large project or program management, personnel management, administration, and fundraising * Excellent communication and organizational skills * Proven ability to work effectively and flourish in a multi-cultural team * Results-focused attitude to work * Excellent, fluent spoken and written English and French * Willingness and ability to travel to field offices in Congo * Interest in wildlife conservation and committed to the WCS missionHOW TO APPLYInterested candidates who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience should apply through the application tab May 10, 2026.WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.