Food Production Officer for Coastal Forest Programme

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

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and nature.

What we do:

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. WWF Network has moved to the development and the implementation of 9 Practices with Global Goals to be achieved.

For WWF Coastal Forest Programme, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Food Production Officer.

Reports to: Programme Manager

Works closely with: Green Growth and Agriculture Coordinator

Location: Limbe

Duration: July – December 2025

Context and mission of the department

WWF and EDEKA, one of the leading food retailers in Germany, have been in a partnership since 2009. Their aim is to reduce EDEKA’s ecological footprint, to advocate the preservation of natural ecosystems and better working and living conditions along the value chains and to take on a pioneering role in food retailing where possible. The partnership includes three multi-year agricultural field projects that pioneer new approaches and methods to make food production more sustainable.

The Joint WWF-EDEKA banana project was launched in 2014 in Ecuador and Colombia with the vision of making conventional banana production more sustainable and bring about a rethinking in the banana sector. Over time, the project was successfully expanded to different countries in Latin America and shall now be expanded to West Africa (Cameroon and Côte D’ Ivoire).

The project focuses on changing conventional banana production practices in the subject areas of natural ecosystems, water resources, integrated pest management, climate change, waste management and social commitment and contributes to SDGs 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15.

Major Functions

To support the WWF CCO’s vision and broad conservation goals. The objectives of the Food Production Officer include:

• Collect and analyze the data, and produce and share regular reports from the Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production project;
• Carry out a broad stakeholder analysis following the Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production project;
• Analyze the existing risk factors for the Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production project to inform mitigation measures;
• Increase awareness and understanding of the importance of Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production project among the stakeholders;
• Develop appealing stories on the Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production project, and
• Produce on the ground reports in various formats that highlights Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production project field results, key achievements, success stories, challenges and perspectives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

This position provides support to the proper implementation of the Program on farm level. It strives to also engage with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, private sector, parliamentarians, to elaborate a landscape strategy.

Specifically, the position performs the following duties:

1. Support and follow up (technical guidance, training, recommendations and field visits) on the implementation of farm level practices and activities such as:

• Assistance in the development of a training plan
• Giving trainings on sustainability topics linked to the Program such as climate change and adequate waste management
• Providing support with the work plan for the establishment of protection zones
• Support of the development of ecosystem restoration plan
• Guiding the farms on species of plant barriers to be planted and maintained along public roads and farm infrastructure

1. Take the lead in the Corrective Action Review of the Program’s monitoring process
2. Design and implement a strategy for collective actions carried out on landscape level, such as (integrated watershed management / conservation areas, reforestation, promotion of equality between men and women, etc.);

• Identify stakeholders that will be involved in the different activities;

1. Attend meetings, farm visits and/or workshops with WWF Germany for planning, reporting on the farms’ progress and evaluation of the Banana Program, according to the established timelines;
2. Provide technical support to the team in the preparation of reports and the generation of material for the operation and dissemination of the Program;
3. Provide quality assurance to reporting on the program’s progress and results (activities, outputs, lessons learned and outcomes) on a regular basis, including quarterly and Technical Progress Reports;
4. Participate in planning and play an active role in events, national and international forums organized by WWF and other partners, and
5. Provide WWF with necessary information, including photos and videos, for presentations and fundraising on Environmentally and Socially Compatible Banana Production Program.

Profile:

Required Qualifications:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree or preferably a Master’s degree in conservation biology, sustainable development, environmental sciences, agricultural studies, sustainable production or related disciplines;
• Minimum 3 years of relevant working experience in projects of conservation, sustainable agriculture, banana production or similar and
• Experience working for a conservation/development agency is an added value.

Required Skills:

• Interaction with different partners;
• Demonstrated understanding of natural resources management, climate change and socio-economic development;
• Experience in the design and operational management of planning and project follow-up instruments;
• Experience to prepare technical reports in writing;
• Excellent oral and written expression skills;
• Fully computer literate, skilled and confident in using office applications such as MS office (word, excel, power point, project), and
• Proactive approach to meeting deadlines and delivering results with limited supervision.

Competencies

• A good team player with excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Able to handle multi-tasks and meet with tight schedule, work with various parties;
• Independently and able to deliver results under pressure;
• Detail-oriented, hands-on and able to follow through projects or tasks;
• Positive thinker with a ‘can do’ attitude and eager to learn;
• Outgoing and able to work in the field;
• Passionate about conservation issues;
• Good command of both written and spoken English and French;
• Proficient in the use of the computer.

WWF’s Values & Behaviors:

• Able to demonstrate WWF behaviors in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly;
• Aligns and identifies with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.

Working Relationships:

• Internal

Interacts with the WWF team (landscape, national and International, thematic leads, Programme Managers).

• External

Interacts with private sector partners, WWF colleagues from foreign countries, experts, service providers, and Government.

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.

How to apply

How to apply:

Apply through the link:

https://cameroon.panda.org/apply_to_a_job/apply_for_a_job/ with a computer (Please do not use a mobile phone)

Job reference: J172

Deadline for applications: 21 June 2025.

Thank you in advance for your interest in this position. Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for follow-up.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce.