Cameroon: Country Coordinator Indigenous People

Position Title: Country Coordinator Indigenous People

Position Location: Yaounde, Cameroon

Reports to: Country Director, WWF Cameroon

Grade: B1 1. Background and purpose

WWF has been in Cameroon since the early 90’s , and has been working with local communities in and around protected areas. WWF started its intervention in the TNS and the TRIDOM in 1993 and at a later date in the Campo-Ma’an national park in 2003 with the objective to support Cameroon government and other stakeholders in sustainable management of natural resources for the improvement of the living conditions of the local and indigenous populations. As a co-signatory to the international “Conservation and Human Rights Framework” and as stated in its “Principles on Indigenous Peoples and Conservation”, WWF is committed to advocate for and actively support the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights, to avoid negative impacts on the local population and to seek their effective participation in protected area management and the related sharing of benefits. So far, WWF’s work is being guided by the understanding that:

· Securing the customary rights of indigenous people within protected areas and logging concessions while supporting effective law enforcement against unsustainable forest management and illegal wildlife harvesting is essential to maintain the potentials for resource-based livelihoods opportunities,

· Building capacities of indigenous people organisations and leaders as well as promoting a better education of indigenous children is critical for their informed participation in decision making processes today and in the future,

· Supporting community-based natural resources management initiatives controlled by indigenous communities is a key to build empowerment and economic self-reliance,

· Strengthening enforcement of social and environmental laws and promoting adoption of best practices by extractive industries are key way to secure an enabling environment for rights recognition.

In line with this, WWF supported the establishment of community use zone in Lobeke National Park, and communal hunting zones and community forests around the protected areas. WWF also successfully lobbied for the inclusion of community user rights in the management plans of protected areas in the country.

In February 2016, WWF CCPO drafted an Indigenous Peoples / Local Communities (IP/LC) action plan related to cooperation with Local Communities and Indigenous People in Cameroon. This action plan was based on the recommendations of a stakeholder workshop organized by WWF Cameroon in April 2015, entitled “*Indigenous Peoples and Conservation – Lessons Learned and Scope for Innovative Approaches to Community-Based Conservation in Central Africa”* and a consulting mission/field study, organized by WWF Cameroon and conducted by an indigenous consultant in April 2015, entitled « Analyse et évaluation participative de la mise en œuvre des stratégies et principes du WWF sur les droits de l’homme dans les sites sélectionnés autour de Parcs Nationaux de Lobéké, Boumba Bek et Nki au Cameroun »

In this context, according to one of its cardinal principles (respect for the rights of individuals in accordance with the customary, national, and international standards), WWF has recently (6-7 April 2017) supported the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) to organize a workshop on capacity building of stakeholders on the protection of the rights of indigenous people in the implementation of biodiversity conservation programmes and project. Under the chairmanship of the Minister of Social Affairs, this meeting brought together high ranking officials of the MINAS, representatives of different ministries concerned, programs and projects of conservation of biodiversity involving IPS, the IPs CBOs, technical and financial partners, CSOs, private sector and experts. Participants in this workshop developed a three-year action plan and formulated recommendations to the attention of the stakeholders in the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in conservation projects and programs.

Despite this progress, many challenges remain especially for the indigenous people (IPs) who continue to be the subject of much discrimination and abuse from more dominant/influential communities in the area as well as other actors. Some international NGOs have over the years raised their voices against these IPs marginalisation, and are claiming that protected areas are depriving people of their livelihood, and Ecoguards recruited by the government to secure protected areas were abusing the rights of IPs.

In line with its policy on respect of the rights of indigenous peoples, WWF is very committed to the implementation of the February 2016 action plan, and the 3 years action plan resulting from the MINAS workshop. WWF is seeking to recruit a staff for 12 months to follow up with the implementation of these action plans, support the implementation of the Plan/WWF Baka project, and provided necessary support to the WWF network on IP related questions.

2.General and specific objectives

The overall objective of the mission is to coordinate the implementation of WWF's policies and activities related to the respect and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples in Cameroon in order to give them greater effectiveness and impact. Major duties will include:

1- Following up with the implementation of the action plan developed with MINAS. This may include writing new proposals to fund some of the joint activities;

2- Supporting the team implementing the WWF/Plan international Baka project to ensure synergies;

3- Provide the WWF network with all support on IP related queries/information.

Specific objectives include:

· Champion the implementation of the February 2016 action plan developed by WWF CCPO;

· Contribute to the establishment of a functional multi-stakeholders discussion platforms on IP/LP and conservation in Cameroon;

· Support the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) for the implementation of the three-year action plan and recommendations of the workshop on the protection of the rights of indigenous people in the implementation of Biodiversity conservation programmes and project (Yaoundé, 6-7 April 2017);

· Follow-up the implementation of WWF-Plan project on rights-based approach to conservation and sustainable forest resource management in the East Region;

· Based on any information collected, undertake field visits to better understand, document and validate/invalidate possible allegations (context, actors, response from victims, response from the administration; identification of responsibilities as well as internal or external conducive factor favouring such violations etc.) of human rights abuses -if any- by MINFOF or WWF staff within the framework of WWF and partners’ support to conservation activities;

· Follow-up all issues related to allegations of human rights abuses -if any- by MINFOF or WWF staff and contribute to the elaboration of WWF response;

· Document responses made by WWF-CCPO and WWF-Network in general, to reports of alleged abuse by MINFOF rangers support by WWF during the past years;

· Compile findings and recommendations on any remedial action that WWF could potentially support, including actions to avoid such situations in future;

· Review, practices, approaches, capacities and resources in place to ensure WWF-Cameroon’s compliance to WWF global internal social policies, WWF’s “Code of ethics and principles concerning indigenous peoples and conservation in Central Africa”;

· Contribute to the construction and / or consolidation of a complaint management mechanism adapted to the social reality of indigenous peoples;

· Provide capacity-building support to WWF staff on ethics and consideration of indigenous peoples' rights in the implementation of activities;

· contribute to discussion, calls etc. around SD4C;

· Contribute to the formalisation by MINFOF of Baka/community access zones in Cameroon PAs;

· Contribute to IP related fundraising for the CCPO.

Deliverables

At the end of every major activity, the staff should prepare and submit to WWF Cameroon a soft copy of a report that responds to the objective stated in the ToR of the activity. The staff is also to produce an annual report (in English) with the following sections

· Introduction;

· Findings that includes a summary of all what was done during the consultancy;

· Recommendations and conclusions;

· Any references.

Methodology

The staff shall follow WWF rules for activities ToR (including budget) that includes methodology that permits the achievement of said objectives. The proposed methodology should be discussed with WWF and adopted before the implementation of related activities.

Duration

The assignment will be carried out in a period of 24 months, renewable depending on the available budgets.

Profile of the resource person

The resource person should be a social scientist with good knowledge in natural resource management (Tertiary level qualification and at least 10 years working experience) with a strong background in social sciences. He/she should fulfil the following criteria:

• a good knowledge of all international and legal framework applicable to IPs;

• an excellent comprehension of global dynamics on issues related to indigenous people rights, natural resource management and sustainable development in Central Africa and ideally in Cameroon;

• a good knowledge of local realities around indigenous people, conservation and natural resource management in Central Africa;

• a good knowledge of FPIC process;

• a good knowledge of Cameroon forestry code;

• a good knowledge in environmental and land tenure laws in Cameroon;

• a good knowledge of IPs Communities in Cameron;

• Highly developed interpersonal and team working skills, as well as proven ability to operate in a

Multi-cultural environment;

• Experience with multi-stakeholder processes particularly on natural resources management

• Experience in working with public administration services both at central and local levels

If you are interested, please email a cover letter and CV to r recruit-cam@wwfcam.org .

The subject should read “**IP**”**.

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