Job Details

Job Description

Career Opportunity

Position: Community Conservation Officer x 2
Contract Type: Full Time, 6 Months and a consideration of a 1-year renewable contract thereafter
Location: Chifunda Chiefdom (Chama) and Nabwalya Chiefdom (Mpika), Zambia
About the Role

North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) is looking for an experienced Community Conservation Officer with a strong background in social work, conservation and natural resources management to support the NLCP Landscape Integration Unit operations. The role will generally involve integrating and strengthening community natural resource management institutions, improving and enhancing livelihood opportunities, including ensuring a decreased cost of living for wildlife for resident communities in the chiefdom and Game Management Areas (GMAs). S/he will have Hands-on experience in working with communities, traditional structures and strategic partners in and around the North Luangwa Landscape.

This is a chiefdom-based role, and the successful candidate will be required to live in the assigned chiefdom. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for implementing and helping to improve a consistent and effective bottom-up community engagement programme with the custodian communities in the Chiefdom of the Game Management Areas surrounding North Luangwa National Park (collectively termed North Luangwa Ecosystem) in line with NLCP’s strategy. The candidate will have the responsibility to supervise the chiefdom LIU team, execute the chiefdom implementation plans and ensure the timely delivery of objectives.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen the governance of Community Resources Boards (CRB), Village Action Groups (VAG) and Community Forest Management Groups
• Manage the tracking of stakeholder engagement in the Chiefdom (keeping a record of areas and people engaged).
• Strengthen the capacity of CRB and VAG to monitor wildlife and participate in quota setting.
• Strengthening the CRB’s participation in the Northern Region and the National CRB Association.
• Support and strengthen the Chiefdom Conservation Committees to ensure effective and efficient coordination among conservation stakeholders in the NL landscape.
• Build, maintain and monitor positive relationships, liaise and collaborate with chiefs and district authorities locally and with relevant Ministries, civil society and partners locally.
• Ensure regular and close communication, coordination and involvement of Government departments (DNPW, FD, MOA, DOF, council, etc.) and in the NL landscape for all aspects of the community outreach activities.
• Support the roll-out of the Grievance procedures mechanism and its ongoing functionality between community members and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate and implement community-based conservation initiatives around improved alternative livelihoods, human/wildlife co-existence management, and other natural resource management initiatives
• Responsible for overseeing HWCoex Management within the working area
• Facilitate and implement conservation enterprise and partnerships, including support of the community bush tourism camps, especially within the tourism sector, for the development of revenue streams to NL landscape communities
• Facilitate, implement and monitor strategic interventions to improve rural livelihoods within resident custodians of the NL landscape through, for example, micro-credit schemes (such as COCOBA), improved markets and conservation agriculture

Your Profile

• Holder of a Degree in social science, wildlife management, community development or rural development.
• A Bachelor’s degree in social science, wildlife management, community development or rural development will be an added advantage.
• At least 4 years of practical field experience in working with rural communities.
• Must possess fair knowledge of and the workings of CBNRM, principles of good governance, and general wildlife and natural resources management in Zambia
• Clear understanding of existing natural resources and wildlife policies; legal frameworks and legislation will be an advantage.
• Practical experience working with traditional authorities will be an added advantage.
• Strong livelihood skills will be an advantage

About Us

North Luangwa Conservation Programme is a partnership entity formed between FZS and DNPW Zambia with the mandate of conserving the North Luangwa Landscape. The partnership has been in place since 1986, and the programme has grown to be one of the leading conservation programmes in the region.

The conservation programme has grown over the years and is now recognised as one of the most effective and equitable conservation management programmes in the region, the first to be recognised by IUCN Green List in Zambia. With extensive, inclusive and innovative approaches to Landscape Integration and Law Enforcement operations, NLCP continues to innovate and set benchmarks for gender mainstreaming, equitable management and stakeholder inclusion under the mission of “Linking Livelihoods and Landscape”.

We Offer

• Experience the chance to live in and understand the breathtaking North Luangwa landscape while making a positive impact.
• Engage in meaningful work that allows for your innovation and creativity.
• Join a dynamic and motivated team in Zambia, along with the FZS Africa team.
• Enjoy a fair and competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience.

Your Application

If you are passionate and ready to take on this challenge, please submit your Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter detailing your relevant experience and motivation to join Frankfurt Zoological Society using this link: https://zoologisch.jobs.personio.de/job/2318217?_pc=1559584#apply

The application due date is 14 September 2025.