Overview:

The Community Conservation Manager will ensure to drive active leadership and guidance that will promote collaboration, sustainable development, and positive social change, while ensuring clear, consistent communication between the Musekese Conservation and stakeholders in Mumbwa GMA and Kasonso Busanga GMA.

You will provide strategic leadership in the design, development, and implementation of community engagement programmes, ensuring initiatives are responsive to community needs, aligned with Musekese Conservation objectives, and deliver measurable outcomes. Drawing on your proven expertise, you will identify opportunities, manage risks, understand cultural contexts and adapt programmes to maximise impact and sustainability. This leadership role will provide direction and performance support with the community engagement team to ensure effective implementation of Musekese Conservation community programs across the GMA’S.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Oversight & Leadership

Provide overall leadership and oversight of all Community Engagement activities to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with Musekese objectives.

Lead, support, mentor, and performance-manage the Community Engagement team, interns, and short-term programme staff.

Conduct regular field visits and community engagements to monitor implementation, provide guidance, and maintain strong community presence.

Identify operational risks, gaps, or emerging community issues and implement corrective or adaptive measures.

Act as the senior focal point for Community Engagement decision-making, ensuring accountability and continuity of operations.

Community Engagement Strategy & Programme Development

Lead the design, development, and implementation of community engagement strategies and programmes informed by community needs, priorities, and local contexts.

Ensure programmes promote inclusive participation, empowerment, and sustainable social outcomes.

Translate community insights into actionable programme plans aligned with organisational strategy and conservation objectives.

Oversee delivery of community activities including meetings, workshops, training sessions, youth and sports programmes, and outreach events.

Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships & Governance

Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with Community Resource Boards (CRBs), traditional leaders, and DNPW

Serve as the primary point of contact for CRBs, ensuring communication protocols are followed and expectations are clearly managed.

Facilitate collaboration and partnerships that leverage resources, knowledge, and shared objectives for community development.

Team Development, Mentorship & Capacity Building

Provide direct mentorship and ongoing support to programme interns and the community and development team, contributing to their professional growth and learning.

Promote a positive team culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, and respect for community values.

Ensure safeguarding, inclusion, and ethical engagement principles are understood and upheld by all team members.

Budgeting, Resource Management & Coordination

Contribute to the development and management of community engagement budgets, ensuring responsible and transparent use of resources.

Identify funding opportunities, partnerships, and efficiencies to support programme sustainability.

Work closely with the Operations team to ensure effective logistical coordination and operational support.

Qualifications & Experience

Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.

6 years’ experience in community engagement, programme management, or development work, preferably in rural or conservation-adjacent contexts.

Experience leading teams and managing community-based programmes.

Strong understanding of participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement, and community governance structures.

Willingness and ability to work in remote field locations and travel regularly.

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Calm, culturally sensitive, and solutions-oriented leadership style.

High integrity, sound judgement, and respect for community values.

Knowledge of Zambian environmental regulations and policies through the various natural resource management acts.

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Valid driver’s license – Manual with 4×4 experience

Zambian Citizen or Resident

Remuneration:

Negotiable on experience.

Start Date:

ASAP

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this challenging and rewarding opportunity as a Community Conservation Manager, please submit your CV with a cover letter to jobs@musekeseconservation.org by the 6th of February 2026 with the subject title: [Your full name] Application for Community Conservation Manager.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process.

We appreciate your interest in joining the Musekese Conservation team and contributing to our conservation efforts in the Greater Kafue Ecosystem.

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of all Community Engagement activities to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with Musekese objectives.
• Lead, support, mentor, and performance-manage the Community Engagement team, interns, and short-term programme staff.
• Conduct regular field visits and community engagements to monitor implementation, provide guidance, and maintain strong community presence.
• Identify operational risks, gaps, or emerging community issues and implement corrective or adaptive measures.
• Act as the senior focal point for Community Engagement decision-making, ensuring accountability and continuity of operations.
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of community engagement strategies and programmes informed by community needs, priorities, and local contexts.
• Ensure programmes promote inclusive participation, empowerment, and sustainable social outcomes.
• Translate community insights into actionable programme plans aligned with organisational strategy and conservation objectives.
• Oversee delivery of community activities including meetings, workshops, training sessions, youth and sports programmes, and outreach events.
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with Community Resource Boards (CRBs), traditional leaders, and DNPW
• Serve as the primary point of contact for CRBs, ensuring communication protocols are followed and expectations are clearly managed.
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships that leverage resources, knowledge, and shared objectives for community development.
• Provide direct mentorship and ongoing support to programme interns and the community and development team, contributing to their professional growth and learning.
• Promote a positive team culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, and respect for community values.
• Ensure safeguarding, inclusion, and ethical engagement principles are understood and upheld by all team members.
• Contribute to the development and management of community engagement budgets, ensuring responsible and transparent use of resources.
• Identify funding opportunities, partnerships, and efficiencies to support programme sustainability.
• Work closely with the Operations team to ensure effective logistical coordination and operational support.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Calm, culturally sensitive, and solutions-oriented leadership style.
• High integrity, sound judgement, and respect for community values.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• 6 years’ experience in community engagement, programme management, or development work, preferably in rural or conservation-adjacent contexts.
• Experience leading teams and managing community-based programmes.
• Strong understanding of participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement, and community governance structures.
• Willingness and ability to work in remote field locations and travel regularly.
• Knowledge of Zambian environmental regulations and policies through the various natural resource management acts.
• Valid driver’s license – Manual with 4×4 experience
• Zambian Citizen or Resident