CCPO Extractives Policy Officer

Position Title: CCPO Extractives Policy Officer (EPO)

Reports to: Conservation Director (CD)

Supervises: Intern

Grade: E / D

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Date: January 1st 2012


Context

Large scale direct investment in the Congo Basin is on the increase with an explosion of new development projects, notably mining, oil, infrastructure and agro-industry (palm oil). These projects will have major direct and indirect environmental and social impacts, with large areas of pristine tropical rainforest permanently destroyed, and large numbers of rural communities affected. The impact on wildlife and forest ecology cannot be underestimated with impacts on sensitive gorilla, elephant and turtle populations. The direct impacts can be summarized as follows:-

1. direct loss of HCV forest and important wildlife habitat in WWF priority places;

2. increased consumption of bushmeat and elephant poaching;

3. forest degradation;

4. accelerated erosion, water, air and noise pollution;
5. social costs; and

6. opportunity costs to both the State and local communities.

Indirectly, the current scramble for Africa’s natural resources leads to conflict over available land, resulting in overlap between, for example, palm oil concessions and protected areas, or mineral exploration permits and forestry concessions. Integrated landuse planning, taking into account both conservation and developmental needs is a key tool to solve these conflicts.

If WWF wants to be an actor to curb these trends, these developments require immediate action with unique opportunities. As all these activities are so new for the Congo Basin, many key actors are open for our advice and collaboration. We have a chance now to ‘get things right’.

As some of the largest developments in the oil and mining sector take place in Cameroun, WWF Cameroon are therefore seeking an Extractive Industries Coordinator to support and coordinate sustainable extractive industry (oil, mining and associated infrastructure, including dams) development in the Cameroun.

Major Functions

The Officer will, within the framework of the WWF Regional strategic plan, facilitate development, refinement, and implementation of WWF’s strategic approach regarding extractive industry exploitation and exploration within the Cameroun. A primary responsibility will be coordination to ensure vertical integration of CARPO extractives work from the field to the Regional office and


beyond. This position will be based in Yaoundé with travel to the field to support on-going field programme efforts.

In the context of this post, WWF CCPO is including oil, gas, mining and associated infrastructure as well as large scale agro-industry (palm oil) under the banner “extractives”.


Major Responsibilities:

• National Coordination: Coordinate refinement and implementation of a WWF Cameroun strategy on extractive industries, based around the regional strategic plan;

• Engagement: Promote, develop and strengthen relationships at senior levels with relevant government ministries (eg Mines, Economy, forestry, environment…) , the private sector, the donor community (in particular the World Bank, AfBD and other CCPM members…) and national NGOs, related to extractive industrial development in Cameroun;

• Capacity building/support: Support the government of Cameroun in setting the conditions for sustainable extractives industry sector (including effective legislation); promoting education and awareness raising on best practices to manage negative impacts of the extractives sector within a context of sustainable land use management;

• Communication. Ensure appropriate information flow between and among key stakeholders, including WWF country office staff, regional focal point, local communities, civil society, and key decision-makers in line with strategic plan. Build strong information network at the local to national level, supporting international communications as necessary in coordination with regional focal point;

• Regional collaboration : participate actively in the regional B&I team; sharing information and experiences an coordinating actions; assist in the development of a regional programme and network;

• Monitoring, fact-finding and reporting: Monitor existing and emerging developments relevant for extractive industry development in Cameroun; Facilitate fact-finding missions on the ground, emphasizing engagement of local civil society and report back to national and regional management;

• Environmental Impact and Strategic Environmental Assessment. Track, monitor, and follow up with Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) associated with key projects and where identified as appropriate. Facilitate technical input and network engagement;

• Fundraising. Identify opportunities and develop proposals to secure resources/financing for project activities and overall strategy implementation;



Specific tasks in 2012 for Cameroon:

With a strong focus on the mining and associated infrastructure development in the South and East regions and the larger TRIDOM INTERZONE:-

• Develop,a close collaboration with the relevant “extractives” related Ministries in

Cameroon, such as MinMIDT, SNH, MinEPAT, MinADER, MinEPDD, MinFOF in order


to promote a broad dialogue with WWF, and between ministries, and between all stakeholders in the sector;

• Input the relevant technical inputs from the sector into the National Landuse planning process;

• Develop a close collaboration with the World Bank on mining / extractives;

• Sensitize and train civil society to play a lead role in engaging the private sector around best environmental practices, biodiversity conservation, social safeguards and company footprint etc. as well as a major role in policy and advocacy;

• Continue to support, in collaboration with the national forestry officer, the process on mining and forestry coordination and legislative review, in close collaboration with the National Assembly REPAR committee and the donor community;

• Work closely with the TRIDOM / Ngoyla Mintom manager and team for the implementation of the Ngoyla Mintom mining related activities, funded by the EU;

• Develop, in close collaboration with mining companies and the TRIDOM team, a framework for mining compensation and off-sets in Ngoyla Mintom;

• Work closely with the Campo Ma’an manager and team for the resolution of overlapping concessions with the National Park and the adjacent UFAs;

• Develop, in close coordination with the landscape leads and field programme managers of the Campo-Ma’an, TRIDOM and the Cameroun segment of TNS, a strategy of engagement on the industrial development projects of Southern Cameroun (Memve’ele dam, Chollet dam, deep sea port, numerous mines, railway line etc.)

• Support the organising, with the ‘TRIDOM team’ a platform, bringing together the representatives of the various mining companies operating in TRIDOM and, at a later

stage, other economic and political actors active in TRIDOM , conservation organisations and government representatives, in order to discuss and plan how to organise the most effective ‘cohabitation’ of mining and conservation in the TRIDOM

Interzone. ( this is a regional activity that also affects, and will be supported by, WWF Gabon and the TRIDOM team)


Working relations

Internal : Works under the direct supervision of the National Conservation Director, but works in close coordination with the regional B&I coordinator, and in close collaboration with the field staff. Coordination and collaboration with the Africa-Extractives team will also be essential.

External: oil and mining ministries; oil, mining and infrastructure development companies, artisanal miners, conflict mineral initiatives, financial institutions. Donor agencies, in particular the World Bank, EITI, universities, consultants and other national and international NGOs.


Requirements and Qualifications

The Extractives Officer should have the following skills and experience:

• Minimum of a post graduate degree in the field of conservation, sustainable development, natural resource management, business, or related field;

• A minimum of 2-3 years experience in the extractive industry policy field, the oil or mining sector, and/or environmental lobbying is desired;


• Strong working knowledge of and sensitivity to the political, social, and legal context within the Cameroun;

• Understanding of forest and wildlife policy, and natural resource management principles;

• Excellent people, diplomacy, and conflict resolution skills to handle complex and highly sensitive multi-stakeholder situations;

• Strong communication skills;
• Bilingual in French and English;
• Quick thinking; capability of reacting under pressure.



WWF’s Mission and Values

• It is part of every staff member’s terms of reference to contribute towards WWF’s mission. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption;

• It is also part of every staff member’s terms of reference to embody WWF’s values which are: Passionate and Optimistic, Challenging and Inspiring, Credible and Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results;

• It is also part of every staff member’s terms of reference to realise that they are part and parcel of WWF CARPO and hence contribute to the delivery of the regional goals of CARPO and the Green Heart of Africa Initiative.

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.