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Executive Assistant

  • Full Time
  • Yaounde

Website WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF)

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods.  At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature.  With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.

What We Do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.

Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.

Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.

1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

Give two or three short sentences to explain the reason why the department exists.

Responsible for the development and scalability of high quality, innovative programs,

working closely with the Congo Basin Country Offices in an enabling role, and with relevant department heads at the global level to ensure program quality and compliance.

2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS

 

The Executive Assistant (EA) position exists to maximise the effective and efficient operation of the Regional Director’s (RD) areas of responsibility by providing professional administrative support and facilitating necessary action.  The EA is responsible for coordinating and managing the activities of the RD for the Congo Basin.   These activities include preparing written and verbal communication, coordinating meetings, diary, calendar and travel arrangements, drafting correspondence, reports and summaries. The EA will handle special projects as requested by the RD and on their behalf be able to represent them at selected meetings and other day-to-day activities.

3 Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides direct staff support to the Regional Director including receiving and directing/assisting correspondence and visitors, handling telephone calls and enquiries, scheduling and maintaining calendar and appointments, screening, analysing and preparing responses to incoming correspondence, handling day-to-day public relations.
  • Anticipate and prepare research and briefing papers in advance of appointments and presentations.  Draft subsequent correspondence and follow up as necessary;
  • Prepare the first draft of documents, letters and reports – edit and review documents drafted by others for dissemination by the Regional Director;
  • Managing and maintaining the Regional Director’s diary and flagging on urgent correspondence;
  • Plan and coordinate logistics for the Regional Director’s participation in internal and external events. Assisting the Regional Director to plan trips and ensures effective logistics items (flights, visas, travel advance, travel request, itinerary table + contacts, invitation letter, hotel confirmation, related travel documents) are up to date;
  • Write minutes of the meetings and calls of the Regional Director when necessary;
  • Following up on invitations from partners and in consultation with the Regional Director ensuring WWF’s representation;
  • Maintaining and management of leave schedule for the Regional Director;
  • Monitor the Regional Director’s expenses and take the necessary action;
  • Managing the process of calling for briefings and meetings and checking on staff availability;
  • Scheduling RMT meetings, catch up and appraisals for all the Director’s direct reports;
  • Taking minutes at RMT meetings and following up on action points;
  • Scheduling and coordination of regular RMT meetings;
  • Retrieving minutes of RMT Meetings and other documents as requested by auditors;
  • Managing information flow between the Regional Director’s and Country Offices and other internal stakeholders;
  • Serving as a primary point of direct administrative contact and liaison with other offices, individuals and external organisations and agencies on a range of specified issues; organises and facilitating meetings and meeting preparation as required;
  • Coordinating the issue of signature authorization to Country Directors for contracts that are above their signature limit. Coordinating the issue of signature authorization from WWF-Int’l for the Director General/ Chief Operating Officer to sign contracts that are above his/her signature limit;
  • Using initiative and judgement to ensure matters requiring attention in the absence of the Regional Director are referred or delegated to the right office/person to minimise the effect of the Regional Director’s absence from office;
  • Assist the Regional Director in responding to queries on WWF projects/programmes in the Congo Basin;
  • Along with other Executive / Admin Assistants, if any, provide support to the wider RMT members in a proportionate manner as and when necessary;
  • Any other duties as assigned by the Regional Director including any special short term projects;
  • Act as PO Super User in Oracle to support in the absence of Admin Assistant, Operations: Create requisitions & purchase orders, receive goods, close modules,  update approval groups.

 

4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications.

  • A University Degree in Business Administration, Communication or related field; Masters in Business Administration an advantage;
  • At least five years’ work experience in a reputable International NGO in a similar or equivalent position;
  • Proven track record in successfully of working with Director level functions in international development, and/or other related fields;

 

Required Skills and Competencies.

  • Excellent organisational and prioritisation competence, with attention to details;
  • Proactive attitude and ability to take initiative and work independently;
  • Good interpersonal, teamwork and networking skills;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Operational in English and French (written and oral);
  • Skilled in a variety of computer software and content creation applications;
  • Knowledge of social networking trends for advanced or professional use;
  • An interest in the field of nature conservation and natural resource management is an asset;
  • Knowledge of the evolving Congolese/international media landscape
  • Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal.

Works closely with the entire Regional Team and Country Directors, WWF DRC with managers and staff in WWF-DRC, ROA Communication team, as well as staff of other relevant units within the Network in the fulfilment of his/her duties.

External.

Interaction with staff and visitors from other conservation organisations, government authorities, public sector partners etc. Responds to general enquiries in relation to the work of WWF-DRC and Congo Basin Office.

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 organisational needs.

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.

Deadline for applications: 8 July 2025

Work permit restrictions may apply.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

 

 

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To apply for this job please visit globaleur251.dayforcehcm.com.