The Wildlife Conservation Society is an international NGO headquartered at Bronx Zoo in New York City working to save wildlife and wild lands and to meet global challenges in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the worldโs oceans. The Africa Program is the largest of WCSโs field programs, with approximately 1,100 staff in 12 country programs focused across four major regions (Central Africa, Sudano-Sahel, East and Southern Africa, and Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean).
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Project Manager
Location: Bauchi
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 13 Months (renewable depending on availability of funds)
Expected Start date: October 2026
Job Summary
- The Project Manager, Yankari, will work closely with the Country Director to provide leadership, strategic direction, and management of the WCS Nigeria Yankari Project.
- The role will oversee biomonitoring, community engagement, governance, and stakeholder coordination and support law enforcement to ensure effective protection of biodiversity and sustainable management of the Yankari Game Reserve.
- The Project Manager will serve as the primary liaison with government agencies, donors, and partners in Yankari/Bauchi State, ensuring alignment with WCSโs mission and values.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Management:
- Provide overall leadership and direction for the Yankari landscape, ensuring delivery of conservation objectives.
- Develop and implement annual workplans, budgets, and performance targets.
- Supervise project staff, ensuring effective coordination across law enforcement, biomonitoring, community engagement, and governance components.
- Law Enforcement & Security Coordination
- Support coordination of law enforcement operations in Yankari to protect wildlife and habitats.
- Work with the Law Enforcement advisor to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, government stakeholders, and community leaders to address threats such as poaching, encroachment, and insecurity.
- Support the Yankari Law Enforcement Advisor and Biomonitoring Coordinator to ensure effective use of SMART/EarthRanger and other monitoring tools for law enforcement management.
Biomonitoring & Research:
- Guide implementation of biodiversity monitoring systems for priority species and habitats.
- Support data-driven decision-making through integration of ecological and spatial data.
- Ensure timely reporting of monitoring results to inform conservation strategies.
Community Engagement & Governance:
- Support the Governance Coordinator to implement efforts to strengthen community relations, conflict mitigation, and participatory governance structures.
- Support the Governance Coordinator to advance the establishment and operationalisation of inclusive stakeholder platforms to promote collaboration and shared responsibility for conservation.
- Support initiatives that enhance community resilience and reduce humanโwildlife conflict.
Partnerships & Donor Relations:
- Support the Country Director to maintain good relationships with government agencies, donors, and partners engaged in Yankari conservation.
- Ensure timely preparation of donor reports, proposals, and communications.
- Represent WCS in stakeholder forums and advocacy platforms related to the Yankari project.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:
- Support the Biomonitoring Coordinator to oversee project monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring accountability and learning.
- Work with the Biomonitoring Coordinator to prepare high-quality reports, updates, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
- Track progress against targets and adapt strategies as needed.
Qualifications & Experience
- Masterโs Degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Governance, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 yearsโ experience in conservation project management, including leadership of multi-component programs.
- Proven experience in law enforcement coordination, biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement.
- Strong understanding of governance systems and stakeholder coordination in Nigeria or similar contexts.
- Experience managing donor-funded projects and reporting requirements.
Skills & Competencies:
- Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong strategic planning and project management abilities.
- Effective communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proficiency in data-driven conservation management tools (e.g., SMART, GIS, KoboTool, etc).
- Ability to work in challenging field environments with resilience and adaptability.
- Commitment to WCS values of integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and conservation impact.
Additional Requirements:
- Fluency in English and Hausa.
- Willingness to be based in Bauchi State with regular travel to field sites.
- Demonstrated commitment to wildlife conservation and community-based approaches.
Why Join Us?
- Leverage WCS’s global expertise and support
- Dynamic Team: Join a dynamic team and work in a collaborative and conducive environment where your ideas and everyone’s input are valued.
- Exceptional opportunity to make significant contributions to the protection of biodiversity conservation
- Growth Opportunities: We believe in providing an enabling environment to develop your career. We are committed to developing your skills and competencies and offer opportunities for career advancement.
- Supportive Environment: Work with a team that values respect, teamwork, and excellence.
- Competitive benefit and compensation package
- Work up close to nature and the wild.
Application Closing Date
26th August, 2026.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their application (Cover letter and Resume as one PDF document) with their matched skill set and experience to: nigeriajobs@wcs.org using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.
Note
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.ย
- Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for assessment.
