TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK. TRAFFIC’s head office, based in Cambridge UK, provides worldwide leadership, coordination, cross-regional and corporate functions. TRAFFIC’s local engagement is managed through programme offices operating under the auspices of the UK charity, with staff based in a hub office and at other strategic locations where necessary. Programme offices operate within a geographic area of responsibility focused on one or multiple countries where TRAFFIC aims to help deliver priority programme outcomes. TRAFFIC works in strategic alliance with IUCN and WWF on wildlife trade issues.

PROJECTS BACKGROUND

The West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emissions Development (WABiLED) Program is a four-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with 3 core objectives: combat wildlife trafficking and enhance great ape conservation; reduce deforestation, forest degradation, and biodiversity loss in key transboundary forest landscapes; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration from land use. WABiLED is implemented by Tetra Tech ARD with five subcontracting partners including TRAFFIC, Born Free USA, Winrock International, Re:wild and Dalberg Associates.

As part of its SOW under the WABiLED program, TRAFFIC will support the establishment of a Western Africa Trade in Wildlife Information eXchange (Western Africa-TWIX) network. Based on similar TWIX networks operating in other Africa regions, the Western Africa-TWIX will facilitate the exchange of information between wildlife law enforcement officials who are registered users of the system

This is a project management role with responsibility for the planning, implementation and reporting function of various activities under the Western Africa-TWIX initiative of the WABiLED project.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Work closely with partner states, ECOWAS, inter-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to harness support for the proposed Western Africa-TWIX system and ensure the smooth implementation and expansion of WA TWIX, both in terms of countries and recruitment of users.
• Conduct country assessments and consultations with Government law enforcement agencies and WABiLED partners to identify target countries and nominated LE personnel for a phased establishment of TWIX membership across the region.
• Support the design and launch of the Western Africa-TWIX website and provide ongoing website management and IT development support.
• Manage the Western Africa-TWIX mailing list, which includes but is not limited to, keeping the mailing list active, managing the server of the mailing list, liaising with the server provider in case of problems, and ensuring that all queries on the mailing list are addressed.
• Provide supervision, technical support and training to the WA-TWIX project assistant
• Organize and facilitate registration and training workshops for nominated users of Western Africa-TWIX and provide ongoing technical assistance to the membership base.
• Provide support in connecting law enforcement agencies across borders to facilitate the investigation and conclusion of specific cases of IWT.
• Convene and facilitate meetings to promote, consolidate and strengthen project collaboration at the country and regional level. Produce TWIX meeting minutes/reports with agreed outcomes and actions and follow up accordingly.
• Engage with TRAFFIC TWIX staff in Cambridge and Brussels office on the co-ordination of TWIX platforms.
• Manage the TWIX project budget and provide quarterly financial reports on expenditures.
• Produce regular narrative reports on project activities and progress against indicators.
• In collaboration with the WABiLED Communications team, promote Western Africa -TWIX among ECOWAS target audiences and to external audiences, including USAID and local Missions.
• At the end of the third year of the WABiLED project, facilitate a TWIX learning event with participation from Central, Eastern, Southern Africa and Europe TWIX users, to share experiences and facilitate discussions on opportunities to strengthen global networks.