Senior Community Conservation Liaison Officer African Parks

Position Title: Senior Community Conservation Liaison Officer

Reports to: Community and Extension Manager

Location: Kafue National Park

Type of contract: Fixed Contract

Background

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 22 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Job Overview

The Senior Community Conservation Liaison Officer (SCCLO) will support Governance, community development, engagement, enterprise and education programs in the Namwala, Nkala, Sichifulo and Mulobezi GMAs. Specifically, the SCCLO will work in, orienting Community Resource Boards (CRBs), Village and Action Groups (VAGs) on Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programs with general capacity building activities, Village Land Use Planning processes and create community awareness on the linkage between biodiversity conservation and its benefits from nature-based enterprises and establishment of community development activities and education.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Strengthen community governance structures (CRBs, VAGs, and CFMGs) by:

• Ensure effective and transparent community representation in natural resources (NRM) governance and management and decision-making processes through monitoring and reporting.
• Raising awareness on the role and contribution of CBNRM to biodiversity conservation, rural livelihoods, with special focus on APs 3E+ strategy of community development.
• Undertake close communication and collaboration with GKLL’s partners in their areas such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Government stakeholders, such as field-based extension personnel (Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Forestry Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Health, Councils etc.) in ensuring information flow on resource protection, enterprise development and access to clean water, including the linkage of these services to biodiversity conservation.
• Support Village Land Use Planning (VLUP) processes in the respective GMAs.
• Training and orient CRBs and VAGs on governance, financial Management, NRM and different Standard Operating Procedures of CRB and VAG management
• Ensure and participate in sustainable fisheries management activities in the GMAs.

2. Support the Community development and livelihoods activities for social wellbeing of GMAs.

• Support awareness campaigns and community on conservation education programs such as climate change, conservation agriculture, community advocacy, general environmental awareness etc.
• Support communities in identifying and implementation of nature-based enterprises and their development.
• Promote conservation education programs in schools and support environmental awareness clubs in schools.
• Together with the communities, identify initiatives and mitigation measures to reduce effects of Human-Wildlife Conflict/Co-existence and approaches.
• Identify community development and livelihood activities with the needs of specific communities and ensure implementation while ensuring sustainability
• Raise awareness on the linkage between biodiversity conservation and access to community development and livelihood activities implemented.

3. In General the SCCLO will;

• Be in position to attend meetings and engagements as may be assigned by CEM.
• Ensure responsible use and care of any project assets and equipment assigned, including motorbikes.
• Perform any other duties that may be delegated in line with GKLL 3E+ Strategy for Community development.

4. Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social science, wildlife management, community development or rural development.
• Holder of Zambian Grade 12 school certificate
• Able to live in a rural community set up general field work abilities
• Must have working experience with CRBs/VAGs and general rural communities of Zambia and specifically Kafue ecosystem and nearby areas.
• Knowledge of CBNRM principles
• Valid motorbike riding license and/or vehicles

Greater Kafue Landscape Limited is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants for this position must have a clean record and traceable references. Candidates must include a day time contact number.