Sustainable Commodities and Markets Manager at Wildlife Conservation Society

Position Description

• The Sustainable Commodities Technical Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day coordination and management of WCS’s sustainable commodity interventions in the Cross River Landscape, with a primary focus on sustainable cocoa. The role will support the implementation of integrated interventions aimed at improving the sustainability of cocoa production, protecting forests within and around protected areas, strengthening community-based natural resource management, and improving the coordination of supply chain sustainability efforts. The Technical Coordinator will engage directly with cocoa and chocolate companies, government partners, NGOs, and local communities.
• The Technical Coordinator will report to the WCS Nigeria Cross River Landscape Director and work closely with field-based teams and other staff in the WCS office in Calabar, as well as the WCS Global Sustainable Commodities Lead, based in Washington, DC. The ideal candidate for this role will bring technical expertise in field-based cocoa procurement and sustainability and experience working with companies, cocoa communities and government agencies, as well as excellent project management and communication skills.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Oversight and Implementation

• Provide technical input and guidance to field program staff on the design and implementation of sustainable cocoa interventions, at the farm, community and supply-chain levels.
• Conduct regular field visits alongside field staff to engage with community members, resolve challenges, and ensure implementation matches project goals and timelines.
• Contribute to mid- and long-term strategic planning for sustainable commodity program in the Cross River Landscape.
• Support fundraising, partnership development, and investment planning efforts related to the long-term sustainability and commercial viability of the project.

Partnership management

• Work with the Landscape Director and Global Sustainable Commodity Lead to manage relationships with private sector and government partners, ensuring timely project communication, production of deliverables, and grant requirements.
• Facilitate internal WCS communications between the field, Calabar, regional and NY teams to ensure alignment on project implementation and reporting.
• Maintain working relationships with private sector actors, existing national and international NGOs and technical partners in-country, national delegation offices of bilateral and multi-lateral donors, and foster, where possible, the participation of existing and new partners in relevant aspects of program implementation and strategy development.

Project Management and Reporting

• Oversee the coordination of multiple interconnected projects and grants related to sustainable commodity and market-based interventions.
• Coordinate the implementation of sustainable commodity interventions, ensuring alignment between WCS field staff, global technical staff, and relevant partners.
• Lead the development and monitoring of detailed project work plans, timelines, and milestones in close collaboration with country program staff, regional staff and the global sustainable commodity lead. Ensure timely and high-quality data collection from the field projects.
• Ensure timely and high-quality communications and reporting for donors and private sector partners, technical briefs, and public-facing communication materials. This includes report writing and tracking indicators and outcomes in line with donor and WCS expectations. This includes report writing, data collection, and tracking indicators and outcomes in line with donor and WCS expectations.
• Work with the WCS Nigeria Program Manager to monitor and track project progress, with the WCS Nigeria Finance Director to track budgets, and regular engagement with the Nigeria staff, including M&E, field coordinators, and rights and communities.

Minimum Requirements:

• At least four years’ experience working in the private sector in a cocoa procurement or sustainability position in Nigeria, preferably with direct experience in Cross River State.
• Experience in project management, including administration, developing work plans, and leading reporting processes.
• Experience working with actors along the cocoa value chain, including cocoa & chocolate companies, NGOs, government, communities and other partners.
• Excellent data aggregation and report writing skills to donors and other partners.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate across teams to ensure timely communication, development of inputs, and completion of deliverables.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to maintain relationships with government, private sector, civil society, and community members.
• An advanced degree in sustainable development, entrepreneurship, project management, conservation, or another field relevant to the position's responsibilities is preferred.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and flourish in a multi-cultural team.
• Results-focused attitude to work.
• Excellent, fluent spoken and written English.
• Willingness and ability to travel to field projects in Cross River State.
• Familiarity with climate finance, nature-based solutions, deforestation-free commitments, and/or performance-based nature finance mechanisms (e.g REDD+ programs) is a plus.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and committed to the WCS mission.