Overview
The Community Engagement Specialist will be central to fostering trust and collaboration between conservation initiatives and local communities. Acting as the primary liaison with community institutions, traditional and civic leaders, government departments, and civil society organizations, this role ensures that conservation and natural resource management efforts are inclusive, transparent, and aligned with community priorities. The position requires a proactive communicator and relationship builder who can balance project objectives with local needs, values, and governance systems.
Main Responsibilities
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with Community Resource Boards (CRBs), Village Action Groups (VAGs), traditional authorities, and government stakeholders.
• Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultations, meetings, and collaborative planning sessions to strengthen co management structures.
• Lead awareness campaigns on conservation, human wildlife conflict, grievance mechanisms, and project goals, ensuring communities are informed and engaged.
• Support capacity building initiatives for CRBs and local partners in governance, financial management, monitoring, benefit sharing, and conflict resolution.
• Promote inclusive participation, ensuring gender equity, youth involvement, and representation of marginalized groups in conservation activities.
• Facilitate conflict resolution processes related to wildlife and resource use, working closely with community leaders.
• Monitor community perceptions, participation, and socio economic impacts, maintaining accurate records of engagement activities and outcomes.
• Produce timely reports, success stories, and lessons learned to inform project progress and stakeholder communication.
Required Qualifications and Skills
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Community Development, Social Work, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in community engagement, ideally within conservation or natural resource management projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with traditional leaders, community based organizations, and government structures.
• Strong knowledge of community governance systems and participatory approaches to resource management.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills, with fluency in English; proficiency in Bemba is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel frequently and work in remote or rural areas.
• Cultural sensitivity, integrity, and professionalism, with a commitment to inclusive development and sustainability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical thinking, and problem solving abilities.