The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cameroon is looking for Forest Elephant Monitoring Intern

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 our Cameroon Country Office, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Forest Elephant Monitoring Intern.
Reports to:
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Line Manager: Coastal Forest Program Manager
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Dotted line report: African Forest Elephant Coordinator
Supervises: n/a
Location: Limbe
Duration: till 30 June 2026, renewable
Mission of the Department
Support science-based monitoring of African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) to inform adaptive conservation and management interventions that safeguard critical habitats, maintain landscape connectivity, and reduce human-elephant conflict (HEC) in the Coastal Forests Programme landscape, including Mount Cameroon, Bakossi, and Korup National Parks, and Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.
Major Functions
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Implement standardized elephant monitoring (camera traps, line transects, dung surveys, GPS tracking) to generate reliable data on distribution, movements, connectivity corridors, and threats.
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Support HEC documentation and response, including rapid assessments of crop damage, incident mapping, and community feedback loops under the Conflict to Coexistence (C2C) framework.
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Maintain and improve data systems (SMART/CyberTracker) for forest elephant monitoring, ensuring data supports connectivity analyses and decision-making aligned with WWF’s Research and Monitoring protocols.
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Contribute to adaptive management by synthesizing field evidence into concise reports and recommendations for elephant patrols, barrier placement, and outreach.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
1.
Data collection
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Conduct field surveys to monitor elephant populations, connectivity corridors, and habitats.
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Conduct line transects (signs, dung, tracks) and threat patrols with eco-guards and cluster teams; collect GPS waypoints and habitat notes.
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Collect and analyze data on elephant feeding patterns, migration routes, and habitat use, including identifying key movement corridors.
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Deploy and service camera traps across priority sites and connectivity corridors; follow forest elephant photo-ID or capture–recapture protocols.

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Support elephant data entry, quality control, and statistical analysis for research reports.
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Contribute to scientific publications and presentations on forest elephants.
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Record HEC incidents (crop types, damage extent, timing, proximity to homesteads) using standardized forms and mobile data tools.
2.
Data Management & Reporting
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Enter patrol and survey data into SMART; ensure QA/QC, metadata completeness, and timely syncing with protected areas’ databases.
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Produce weekly field briefs and monthly technical summaries (maps, charts), highlighting elephant use areas, connectivity corridors, conflict hotspots, and illegal-activity trends.
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Support GIS layers for habitat features (lava flows, farm belts, plantation edges, rivers) to contextualize observations and inform patrol allocation.
3.
Community Interface & Safety
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Participate in community meetings and feedback sessions to improve elephant incident reporting, early warning, and coexistence practices under C2C.
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Promote non-violent elephant deterrence measures consistent with best evidence (e.g., chili fences/briquettes, crop guarding with deterrents).
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Ensure safety of staff and community members during field operations, especially when working along movement corridors or near high-conflict zones.
Profile:
Required Qualifications:
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Student researcher or recent graduate with a Diploma/BSc in Wildlife Management, Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field; demonstrable interest in forest elephant conservation.
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Field experience (internship or projects) in biodiversity monitoring, preferably camera-trapping, transects, or HEC documentation.
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Basic proficiency with GPS, GIS, and SMART/CyberTracker (training available).
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Ability and willingness to work in remote forest environments under challenging conditions.
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Familiarity with research methods and data analysis tools (Excel, R, or SPSS).
Required Skills and Competencies:
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Resilience in remote, steep, volcanic terrain; teamwork with protected area personnel and community monitors.
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Data discipline and clear technical writing for decision-ready briefs.
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Community engagement skills: respectful communication aligned with C2C and collaborative management ethos.
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Commitment to conservation values and ethical wildlife practices, including non-lethal conflict mitigation.
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Ability to adapt and work flexibly in changing field conditions.
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Proficient in GPS and GIS software, CyberTracker/SMART, and related tools.
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Experience in camera trapping, wildlife observation, and photo analysis.
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Statistical and data analysis skills (Excel, R, or other relevant software).
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Database management and computer literacy.
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Excellent writing skills.
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Good knowledge of English and working knowledge of French; knowledge of Pidgin English and local languages is an asset.
WWF’s Values & behaviors:
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Able to demonstrate WWF behaviors in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly.
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Aligns and identifies with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.
Expected Deliverables
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Baseline map of elephant detections, movement paths, and connectivity corridors across assigned sites.
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HEC dashboard summarizing incident frequency, crop types affected, timing, and proximity to settlements, updated monthly.
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Intervention performance brief (chili belts and other mitigation measures): maintenance status, gaps, and recommendations.
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Quarterly technical report with management recommendations (patrol targeting, barrier placement, outreach focus).
Working Relationships
Internal
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Collaborates with park staff, eco-guards, research/data teams, Rapid Response Team, and community outreach officers.
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Coordinates with other interns or field assistants.
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Supports administrative and logistical staff for fieldwork and reporting.
External
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Engages with local communities, Rapid Response Team, farmers, and community leaders in elephant-prone areas.
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Collaborates with partner NGOs, research institutions, and external experts involved in elephant conservation.
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Supports forest elephant initiatives and awareness activities in the field.
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:
1)
Follow the link: https://cameroon.panda.org/apply_to_a_job/ (with a computer, please do not use a mobile phone)
1)
Choose the job J213 – Forest Elephant Monitoring Intern
2)
Answer to the questionnaire
3)
After filling the questionnaire, send your CV and cover letter via the email address recruit-cam@wwfcam.org. Please mention your name and the job reference in the email subject line. Example: Forest Elephant Monitoring Intern - J213 - Balla
Deadline for applications: 04 March 2026.
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, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, race, religion, experience, or background.
The publication of any job, consultancy or service provider opportunity and any subsequent communications, interviews or discussions does not constitute a binding commitment by WWF. No contractual or financial obligation shall arise on the part of WWF until a formal written contract has been duly signed by both Parties following completion of the selection process.
All stages of this process remain part of the negotiation phase and are subject to WWF’s internal validation and administrative approvals. WWF reserves the right, where necessary, to modify, postpone or cancel the process at any stage prior to formal engagement, without incurring any liability toward applicants or third parties.