About the North Luangwa Conservation Programme

The 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.

About the Role

The North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) is looking for an experienced Community Conservation Officer x 2 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 the integration and strengthening of community natural resource management institutions, improving and strengthening livelihood opportunities, including ensuring decreased cost of living with 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.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen the governance of Community Resources Boards (CRB), Village Action Groups (VAG), Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs) and Village Fisheries Management Groups (VFMGs).
• Manage the tracking of stakeholder engagement in the Chiefdom (keeping a record of areas and people engaged).
• Strengthen the capacity of CFMGs/CRB and VAG to monitor wildlife and participate in quota setting.
• Strengthening the CFMGs/CRB’s participation in the Northern Region and the Zambia 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.
• Conservation Education & Awareness by supporting the delivery of conservation education in schools and villages; supporting Community Conservation Educators; distributing learning materials; promoting youth engagement through conservation clubs, debates, and eco-camps.
• 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

A Bachelor’s degree in ecology, 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 good knowledge and understanding 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

• Strengthen the governance of Community Resources Boards (CRB), Village Action Groups (VAG), Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs) and Village Fisheries Management Groups (VFMGs.
• Manage the tracking of stakeholder engagement in the Chiefdom (keeping a record of areas and people engaged).
• Strengthen the capacity of CFMGs/CRB and VAG to monitor wildlife and participate in quota setting.
• Strengthening the CFMGs/CRB’s participation in the Northern Region and the Zambia 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.
• Conservation Education & Awareness by supporting the delivery of conservation education in schools and villages; supporting Community Conservation Educators; distributing learning materials; promoting youth engagement through conservation clubs, debates, and eco-camps.
• 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.

• A Bachelor’s degree in ecology, 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 good knowledge and understanding 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