Africa Program Officer

Position: Africa Program Officer
Reports to: Program Manager, Field Conservation
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Department/Division: Global
Position Type: Full-time
Internal Liaison: Africa Regional Technical and Program staff

About the Organization

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organisation established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, field presence in 56 nations, and experience of helping establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organisations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilisation of natural resources.

About WCS in Africa
WCS in Africa is organized across three regions. The Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea Region comprises country programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, and Gabon, focusing on the conservation of globally significant tropical forest and marine landscapes. The Sudano-Sahel Region includes Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Chad, where WCS supports the protection and management of savanna and Sahelian ecosystems critical for biodiversity and local livelihoods. The East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean Region encompasses Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, and Madagascar, with programs spanning terrestrial and marine systems. Regional teams are located in the WCS Africa Hub in Kigali, Rwanda.

Job Purpose:
WCS seeks a motivated individual to provide day-to-day technical, administrative, and coordination support to ensure timely, high-quality implementation of a large long-term grant with project activities implemented across all three regions, while ensuring compliance with donor and organizational policies and guidelines, and coordinating with Field Conservation as well as other units across the organization.

Major Responsibilities:

Project coordination & Donor compliance

• Track implementation progress and flag delays and challenges.
• Hold & lead regular calls with regional and country teams to track implementation.
• Liaise closely with Africa RBM to monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and activity implementation.
• Track compliance with donor rules, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Support preparation for donor field assessments, reviews, and monitoring visits.

Reporting

• Consolidate inputs from multiple regions and coordinate donor reporting, ensuring high-quality donor reports.
• Support preparation of internal progress reports and management updates, as needed.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning

• Support data collection, verification, and consolidation from the three regions.
• Assist in tracking project indicators.
• Contribute to learning products, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and resource sharing among regions and country teams.

How to apply

Minimum Requirements and Job Skills

• Master’s degree, or equivalent work experience, in biology, international development, project management, social sciences, or a related field.
• 5-7 years’ relevant work experience, with strong skills in project administration, coordination, and supporting donor-funded projects, preferably multi-country or multi-regional.
• Demonstrated experience working with large institutional donors.
• Strong understanding of project cycle management.
• Experience working in or with teams across Africa.
• Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to different cultures and worldviews.
• Effective at both collaborative and independent work.
• Commitment to WCS’s mission and Core Values, which are: Respect, Accountability & Transparency, Innovation, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Collaboration, and Integrity.

Attributes that will make your application stand out

• Track record of working with teams from diverse backgrounds and experience.
• Prior experience working with private philanthropic donors.
• A knowledge of regionally relevant languages is an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and donor compliance.

Application process

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply at the application link by March 12, 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.