Call for Applications - APS Bureau Election 2026, Yaoundé, Cameroon

🗳️ CALL FOR APPLICATIONS / NOMINATIONS

Election of the African Primatological Society Bureau Members — 2026

📅 Application Deadline: 9 September 2026 at 20:00, Yaoundé time (GMT + 1)
🗳️ Election: 11 September 2026 — APS General Assembly, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Dear APS Members,

The African Primatological Society (APS) is pleased to launch a call for applications and nominations for the election of its Bureau members during the APS General Assembly to be held on 11 September 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

APS was established to promote primatological research and primate conservation in Africa, to strengthen communication among African primatologists and their partners, and to consolidate African leadership in global primate conservation practices and policies.

📋 Positions Open for Applications

1. PRESIDENT

The President is the chief executive officer of APS. In accordance with the Constitution, the President is responsible for preparing the Society's annual report, chairing Council meetings, appointing committees and their members in accordance with the Constitution, acting as spokesperson for APS, signing official correspondence, promoting the Society's objectives, and coordinating fundraising efforts.

Profile sought: An established African primatologist or experienced conservation professional, demonstrating leadership and a strong commitment to APS, able to represent the Society internationally, with experience in partnership and network development, as well as proven capacity in institutional development and resource mobilization.

2. SECRETARY GENERAL

The Secretary General plays a central role in the governance, administration, and institutional memory of APS. The Constitution entrusts them with the responsibility to assume presidential functions when necessary, maintain the Society's registers, archives and membership lists, issue notices for Council and General Assembly meetings, and prepare and disseminate minutes.

Profile sought: An organized and reliable APS member with strong skills in administration, coordination, and writing, capable of maintaining institutional archives and willing to ensure regular communication and follow-up between Council meetings.

3. TREASURER GENERAL

The Treasurer General is responsible for the financial management and accountability of APS. The Treasurer administers the Society's funds, makes disbursements in accordance with Council decisions, and presents an audited financial statement to the General Assembly.

Profile sought: An APS member demonstrating proven integrity and, preferably, experience in financial management, grant management, project administration, budgeting, or institutional governance.

4. COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY

The Communications Secretary leads the Society's communication, visibility, and public engagement. Responsibilities include organizing social and fundraising activities, managing the APS website and social media accounts, and disseminating accurate and adequate information about APS activities through its official platforms.

Profile sought: An APS member with proven communication skills and, preferably, experience in website management, social media, science communication, outreach, public engagement, and/or digital content creation.

✅ Eligibility Conditions

Candidates must:

be African;
be a member in good standing of APS;
be up to date with the payment of applicable APS fees before validation of the application;
demonstrate commitment to the mission and values of APS;
agree to serve on a voluntary basis for the entire duration of the term; and
accept the responsibilities attached to the position.

The Constitution expressly reserves elective positions to Africans and requires that candidates for these positions be members in good standing and willing to serve.

📌 Member in Good Standing and Voting Rights

Definition of a Member in Good Standing

For the purposes of the 2026 APS elections and thereafter, a member in good standing is any person who:

meets the membership conditions of the African Primatological Society;
adheres to the mission, objectives, Constitution and policies of APS;
has fulfilled the applicable financial obligations of membership, including payment of the annual subscription fee, or benefits from recognition under a scheme duly approved by the General Assembly;
is not subject to any suspension, exclusion or other decision withdrawing their membership rights;
has not engaged in any conduct likely to jeopardize the Society financially or structurally, or to harm its reputation; and
appears on the official register of members in good standing established and certified by the APS Secretariat and the Electoral Committee for the purposes of the election.

These criteria derive directly from the constitutional definition, which links the status of member in good standing to the up-to-date payment of annual subscriptions and adherence to the vision and policies of APS.

🎯 Exceptional Recognition of Participants at the 4th APS Congress

Considering that the 4th Congress of the African Primatological Society in Yaoundé constitutes the main gathering of APS members in 2026, and with the aim of strengthening and regularizing the Society's membership base, the General Assembly will be invited to approve the following exceptional provision:

All eligible persons who have paid the applicable registration fees to participate in the 4th Congress of the African Primatological Society shall be exceptionally recognized as APS members in good standing for a period of one year, from 11 September 2026 to 10 September 2027.

Consequently, Congress participants who meet the other applicable membership conditions will have the right to participate in the General Assembly and to vote in the 2026 APS elections.

Congress registration fees will therefore be considered, on an exceptional basis for this one-year period, as including APS membership.

This provision does not permanently merge Congress registration fees and APS membership subscriptions. Any provisions applicable beyond 10 September 2027 shall be determined separately by the Executive Council and/or the General Assembly, in accordance with the APS Constitution.

📋 Members Not Attending the 4th APS Congress

APS members who are not registered as participants in the 4th APS Congress may nevertheless be recognized as members in good standing and exercise their voting rights remotely. They may also stand for any of the elective positions, subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.

To be recognized as such, these members must:

meet the general membership conditions of APS;
pay the applicable annual APS subscription fee at the rate approved by the 2019 General Assembly; and
provide proof of payment to the APS Secretariat/Electoral Committee before the closure of the electoral roll.

💰 Rates Approved at the 2019 General Assembly

Ordinary Member: 50 USD
Student Member: 15 USD
Life Member: 500 USD (payable in two installments: ½ initially and ½ twelve months later)

After verification of payment, their membership will also be valid for one year, from 11 September 2026 to 10 September 2027.

The Constitution expressly provides for the payment of annual subscriptions and authorizes student members, upon presentation of proof of enrollment, to pay half of the ordinary subscription.

📄 Application File

Given the very short timeframe, the application file is intentionally simplified.

Candidates must submit a single document of maximum two pages, including:

Name, country and institutional affiliation
Position sought
Short biography — 150 words maximum
Motivation for the position — 200 words maximum
Three priorities for APS for the period 2026–2030 — 300 words maximum
Relevant experiences — maximum five points
A declaration confirming:
"I confirm that I am willing, if elected, to serve in this position for the entire term of office and to abide by the Constitution and decisions of the African Primatological Society."

A recent photograph may also be provided for distribution to APS members.

Self-nominations as well as nominations proposed by another APS member may be accepted. When a member is nominated by another person, they must provide written confirmation of their agreement to stand as a candidate.

📅 Proposed Accelerated Electoral Calendar

Date	Action
6 September	Appointment of the Electoral Committee composed of five members
7 September	Publication of the Call for Applications/Nominations
9 September, 20:00, Cameroon time	Application deadline
9–10 September	Verification of eligibility and membership status
10 September, 20:00, Cameroon time	Publication of the final list of candidates
10 September	Dissemination of candidate profiles to APS members
11 September	3-minute presentations by candidates during the General Assembly
11 September	Secret ballot vote
11 September	Counting, announcement and validation of results
11 September	Welcome and official handover with the new leadership team

📌 Important note: This accelerated procedure deviates from the normal schedule provided for in the Constitution, which provides for nominations several months before the General Assembly and normally envisages electronic voting. However, the Constitution expressly provides that when an election cannot be completed by electronic vote, it may be organized during the General Assembly. Consequently, the General Assembly will formally approve this exceptional electoral procedure before the vote begins, and this decision will be recorded in the minutes.

Finally, the Constitution itself provides that the agenda of the General Assembly includes the validation of the vote, the welcome of the elected officials and a handover ceremony.

⚖️ Electoral Committee

The Electoral Committee comprises six APS members, including the outgoing APS President as a non-voting ex officio member, responsible for providing institutional support and ensuring continuity and compliance with the APS Constitution.

The Committee includes:

a Chairperson;
a Vice-Chairperson;
a Secretary/Rapporteur;
the outgoing APS President; and
two members.

No member of the Electoral Committee may stand for an elective position. All Committee members, including the outgoing President, must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest concerning a candidate and recuse themselves from any decision where such a conflict could reasonably call their impartiality into question.

Mandate: The Electoral Committee assumes overall responsibility for organizing and supervising the election of APS Bureau members during the General Assembly of 11 September 2026. Its work is guided by the APS Constitution as well as the principles of neutrality, fairness, transparency, confidentiality, inclusiveness and equal treatment of candidates and voters.