Regional Director – East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO)

ABOUT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established with a long history in the wildlife conservation sector. They specialize in wildlife conservation through understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. They work in more than 56 nations across the globe, partnering with local communities and other stakeholders to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues. These issues are critical to improving the quality of life of rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

ABOUT THE REGION

The East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean region (EAMWIO) comprises programs across six countries: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The Region spans the biodiversity-rich montane forests and watersheds of the Albertine Rift; down through the continent’s iconic savannahs and miombo woodlands; to globally important coastal mangroves, reefs, and migratory corridors of ocean giants; and finally to the renowned and exceptional biodiversity of the island nation of Madagascar. All told, it encompasses five globally important biodiversity hotspots; globally significant populations of elephants, primates, and lions; habitat for more threatened and endemic vertebrates than anywhere else on the continent; and critical ecosystem services for some of the fastest growing human populations on earth.

The scope of work includes protected area management, marine conservation, nature-based solutions to address climate change, and community-led governance of natural resources. The region is primed for unparalleled growth opportunities for conservation, and the position is timed to capitalize upon WCS’s current and significant standing across the region, on which to strategically grow our impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Wildlife Conservation Society seeks a motivated and experienced Regional Director to head and drive conservation programming across the Eastern Africa, Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Region.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the implementation of WCS’s EAMWIO regional strategy, shepherd strategic growth of our conservation impact and ensure strong operational management to deliver conservation outcomes across a portfolio of priority seascapes and landscapes.

Do you have sector-level expertise and experience in the region, working at the nexus of environment, people, climate and sustainable development?

Are you impact-oriented, demonstrating a proven track record in program development and fundraising?

Do you have a demonstrable track record of operating effectively in challenging local contexts with a diverse set of partners?  

Are you a strategic thinker and a strong leader, committed to WCS’s mission and values and able to demonstrate highly developed interpersonal and communication skills?

If so, then we invite you to consider this opportunity.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide operational and strategic support to Country Programs to increase impact, manage growth, coordinate capacities, and ensure accountability in conservation delivery.
• Oversee the program development and fundraising strategy in support of field programs in the region including the development and implementation of a powerful communication approach to engage donors, partners, and the general public.
• Build strategic collaborative relationships with regional technical, government and other institutional partners to support WCS’s regional conservation priorities, and ensure thought leadership and representation in regional, continental and global fora.
• Actively contribute as a member of the WCS Global Leadership Team to enhance and develop institutional strategy.
• Provide regional leadership and strategic guidance in collaboration with global WCS departments and support teams by creating and facilitating opportunities for WCS Global Thematic program to enhance the work of country programs through strong connections.
• Oversee the implementation of strengthened financial and administrative systems and an efficient operational structure to better position the region to compete for and effectively implement large and complex funding and conservation programs.
• Ensure that a system of accountability and knowledge management for all programs within the region is in place with which to share results, evaluate progress and encourage critical peer review.
• Ensure the safety and security of our staff, partners, programs and organizational reputation.
• Leading and holding leadership accountable for cultivating a work culture that aligns with WCS Core Values and enables the team to attract, develop, and retain top talent.

Specifically, the candidate will ensure:

• Implementation of a regional strategic vision aligned with WCS’s Global mission.
• Strategic guidance and management support to country programs in the implementation of this vision.
• Build-out and management of a lean but highly effective regional technical and operational support team.
• Strategic partnerships with government agencies, bilateral and multilateral institutions, technical partners, the private sector, philanthropies, and financial institutions in order to enhance and enable the regional vision.
• Ensure financial, administrative, and programmatic systems are supporting regional technical staff and country program teams ensuring effective communication and coordination in delivering WCS’s regional conservation priorities and global mission.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least 10 years relevant work experience in building and delivering effective programs in at least one of the following sectors: biodiversity conservation, community livelihoods, climate resilience and conflict.
• Experience working in at least one Eastern African country is highly desirable. Familiarity with the conservation and management priorities, challenges, and governance frameworks in the region is required.
• Experience of direct operational management of complex or multiple field implementation projects, including staffing, workplans, and financial management under deadlines.
• Strong team leadership skills and supervisory experience for large or multiple teams.
• Strong fundraising track record and familiarity with relevant bilateral and multilateral donor agencies operating in the sector.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and demonstrated success in working with diverse partners, including national governments, to achieve common objectives.
• High level negotiation and influencing skills, and the capacity to develop and maintain strong relationships with governments, donors, not-for-profit, scientific and political communities or corporate sectors.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and French or Portuguese would be an advantage.
• Willing to undertake significant travel.
• Commitment to WCS’s mission and Core Values, which are: Respect, Accountability & Transparency, Innovation, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Collaboration, and Integrity.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Location: Kigali, Rwanda.  

Salary and Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package. The position is offered on an accompanied basis.

Contract length: Open-ended.

Expected Travel: Significant travel within the region (40%)
Reports to: Vice President, Global Field Conservation.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensure that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS-sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.

HOW TO APPLY

Closing date: 9^th November 2025

To apply please click ‘Apply Now’ above

Candidates are kindly asked to submit a CV of no more than four (04) pages and a cover letter, preferably in MS Word. All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.

Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via [email protected]

Please name your files as follows:

FirstName_Surname_CV_ EAMWIO

FirstName_Surname_CL_ EAMWIO

Red Sea takes our responsibility towards protecting your personal data very seriously. The data you provide is processed in line with relevant data protection legislation. For the purposes of this recruitment, and as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Red Sea is defined as the Data Controller.

Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in our Equality and Diversity statement, acting in line with the UK Equalities Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.