About the Project

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is an international conservation organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife and ecosystems in some of the world’s most outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term conservation programmes in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe.

FZS Zambia, through the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP), has been active in the North Luangwa ecosystem since 1986 and currently supports conservation and community development across protected areas and surrounding Game Management Areas.

Under the EU NaturAfrica–funded “Connecting Livelihoods and Landscape (CoLiLa)” project, FZS is expanding its work within the Malawi–Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (MAZA TFCA), strengthening biodiversity conservation, inclusive livelihoods, and community-based governance.

About the Position

The Community Livelihoods & Partnerships Advisor will play a central role in implementing inclusive, conservation-compatible livelihood interventions under the EU NaturAfrica CoLiLa Project. The position focuses on strengthening green value chains, enterprise development, access to finance, and partnerships that support community resilience while reducing pressure on natural resources.

Working closely with community structures, traditional authorities, private-sector partners, and the project team, the role will ensure that livelihood initiatives are gender-responsive, climate-resilient, and aligned with NLCP conservation objectives in the MAZA TFCA.

Your Tasks

The Community Livelihoods & Partnerships Advisor will:

• Lead implementation of Natural Resource Enterprise Management Plans (NREMPs) in priority communities
• Support development of conservation-compatible value chains (e.g. honey, NTFPs, ecotourism, climate-smart agriculture)
• Facilitate market access and private-sector partnerships for community enterprises
• Support establishment and mentoring of Community Conservation Banks (CoCoBas)
• Strengthen community enterprise governance structures, including cooperatives and producer groups
• Promote women and youth participation in livelihood and enterprise activities
• Coordinate with district authorities and partners to ensure alignment with local development plans
• Contribute to livelihood-related monitoring, learning, and reporting under the MERL framework
• Ensure compliance with EU safeguards, FPIC principles, and visibility requirements
• Perform any other duties as required to support effective project delivery

Your Profile

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Economics, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Business, or a related field
• Postgraduate qualification is an added advantage

Experience

• Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in community livelihoods, enterprise development, or rural development programmes
• Demonstrated experience in value chain development, MSMEs, or community-based enterprises
• Experience working with community groups, cooperatives, or savings and credit schemes
• Familiarity with donor-funded programmes (EU experience is an advantage)
• Experience working in remote, rural settings

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Practical understanding of inclusive and gender-responsive livelihoods
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple workstreams
• Strong planning, coordination, and reporting skills
• Cultural sensitivity and integrity

We Offer

• Engaging and meaningful work contributing to conservation and sustainable livelihoods
• Opportunity to work in a unique transboundary conservation landscape
• A supportive and professional working environment within a dynamic team
• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

• Lead implementation of Natural Resource Enterprise Management Plans (NREMPs) in priority communities
• Support development of conservation-compatible value chains (e.g. honey, NTFPs, ecotourism, climate-smart agriculture)
• Facilitate market access and private-sector partnerships for community enterprises
• Support establishment and mentoring of Community Conservation Banks (CoCoBas)
• Strengthen community enterprise governance structures, including cooperatives and producer groups
• Promote women and youth participation in livelihood and enterprise activities
• Coordinate with district authorities and partners to ensure alignment with local development plans
• Contribute to livelihood-related monitoring, learning, and reporting under the MERL framework
• Ensure compliance with EU safeguards, FPIC principles, and visibility requirements
• Perform any other duties as required to support effective project delivery

• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Practical understanding of inclusive and gender-responsive livelihoods
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple workstreams
• Strong planning, coordination, and reporting skills
• Cultural sensitivity and integrity

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Economics, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Business, or a related field
• Postgraduate qualification is an added advantage