Central African Republic: Ecotourism Manager

I.Context

The Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (DSPA) are located in the rainforest in the south-westernsouthwestern part of the Central African Republic and the northern edge of the Congo basin forest. The area is well known for its impressive biodiversity and is the biggest undamaged forest remaining in the country. It comprises a total area of more than 6 000 km2. The long-term goals for WWF in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas are to protect the forest ecosystem and to promote sustainable development in the region. The development of eco-tourism is a very important part for the sustainable development trajectory of Dzanga-Sangha. I in fact there is still a lot to do in terms of reinforcement of existing infrastructures reinforcement, promotion of local environment, species & areas promotion and the culture discovery.

WWF Central African Republic Country Office seeks to hire an experienced and motivated individual for the position of Ecotourism OfficerManager for its Dzanga Sangha programme.

II.Mission of Department

The Ecotourism unit in collaboration with the other units to promotes the DSPA for the benefit of the Country.help refining the effects that tourism has on the natural Environnement environment and local communities in DSPA. The unit will profile ensure the promotion of the Protected AreasDSPA inside and outside the country by creating responsible and sustainable travel opportunitiesecotouristic circuits for visitors to discover the local with local richness discovery, based on sustainable tourism focused on both wildlife and cultural resources.

III.Main Functions

The Ecotourism Manager will:

• Elaborate a tourism development plan for DSPA;
• Continue to bBuild awareness on the biodiversity and environmental richness of the DSPA;
• Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in the community and work in partnership with them to create and develop tourism products; ensure participation of the communities as well as their (financial) benefits;.
• In collaboration with other departments and local communities, Create develop attractive tourism products, tourist routes for visitors at national and international levels;
• Deliver memorable informational experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to conservation and local culture awareness of local culture;
• Design, construct Coordinate constructions and ensure that infrastructure and eco-friendly facilities are available to host visitors;
• Ensure that the financial revenues are effectively collectedbenefits of tourism are used for conservation and community development;
• Ensure a sustainable, transparent and efficient management of tourism revenues;
• Create partnership with travel agencies, tour operators, local airlines companies and Tourism Ministry to promote DSPA, local airlines companies;

• Elaborate a tourism development plan for DSPA**IV.** Major Duties and Responsibilities:
  Infrastructure construction and management

• Supervise the construction and maintenance of Eco Lodgesin and associated accommodation facilities;

• Ensure the maintenance of the « Centre d’accueil »welcoming center;

• Supervise the rehabilitation and maintenance of the tourist infrastructures at selected bais;

• Development of trails. Local development

• In Close collaboration with the Community development unit, contribute to the Contribute to developingdevelopment of a system of revenue sharing that effectively benefits the local communities (including Baa’ka people community) while sustaining both the costs of the programme and its conservation component;while sustaining both the costs of the programme and its conservation component;

• Capacity building of local community in regards to the sale of tourism products (financial administration, marketing) Tourism products

• Investigate onExplore diversify and potential markets and develop tourism products adaptable to each category[BJ1] segment of the market;

• with DSPA management, private operators and community groups to develop new eco-friendly tourist activities which increasingly generate revenues for the tourism programme

• Supervise activities related to tourism in collaboration with lodge contractors and existing / potential tour operators, ensuring an efficient activity reservation system and logistics, tourism welcome centres, guide training, and data collection and analysis;

• Contributes to supporting ecotourism development at DSPA and in collaboration with TNS partners.

Tourism Benefits management

• Support DSPA administration in setting appropriate fees for tourism activities;

Promote ecotourism

• Identify and engage with potential partners (travel agencies, tour operators, hotels in Bangui) to attract tourists;

Staff Management and development

• Support the DSPA Head of Tourism regardingEnsure staff management and development, staff evaluation, detailed and accurate record keeping, visitor management, etc.;
• Ensure staff a properly trained

Others

• Attend international/ regional/ national relevant tourism forums to promote DSPA;
• Work in collaboration with the Communication Department to feed the website with stories around the available tourism opportunities in DSPA;
• Carry out any other duties assigned by his the line manager.

V.Profile:

RequiredQualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Tourism, Marketing or any related areas;
• Minimum of 2 7 years’ experience, with demonstrated success in an international environment (NGO or Company); an experience in Africa will be an of advantage;
• A proven track record of implementation of a tourism development plan

Required Skills and Competencies

• Good leadership and team work abilities;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, within WWF CAR and, as required, with external stakeholders;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and French;
• High ethics and a personal commitment to transparency and accountability;
• Sensibility on safeguarding standards and social policies (gender, human rights etc.) are expected;
• Ability to work in a remote environment with regular missions offering logistical challenge
• Adherence to WWF’s values, which are knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.

V.Working Relationships

Internal: All WWF CARCO staff members, DSPA Management team, Communication Officer, Technical Advisors, etc…

External: Interacts with partners, local Communities, local associations, travel agencies, Ministry of tourism, tour operators .operators.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

Email a cover letter and CV to recruit-roaydehub@wwfafrica.org

The subject should read ECOTOUR-DSPA. Deadline for applications**: May 20, 2019.**

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow up. If you have not been contacted six weeks after closing, consider your application unsuccessful.

Female and African nationals applicants are encouraged.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce