Bangweulu Wetlands is one of three protected areas managed by AP in Zambia, and it is community-owned, due to its status as a Game Management Area (GMA).  This highly productive wetland ecosystem supports the endemic black lechwe, thousands of birds, and extensive fisheries, alongside over 90,000 community members. The protected area cannot be considered independently of the local people who reside within it. Within AP, Bangweulu is refining the model of community participation in conservation, and in managing sustainable harvesting of fish and wildlife.

Role Profile

The AP vision is to achieve  ecological, financial, and socio-political sustainability of protected areas for the benefit of people and wildlife. As a head of department, the Community Development Consultant is a member of the park leadership team (Park Management Unit). He/she contributes primarily to the socio-political sustainability pillar, and leads the engagement with local communities and other external stakeholders.

The CD Consultant strives to build an active constituency for conservation for the protected area – i.e. engaged communities that support and practice conservation because they earn benefits from the protected area and their land.  A key responsibility is to design and lead implementation of the community development plan for the park. In addition, the CD Consultant contributes to delivery of the park business plan and agreed M&E goals.

The Community Development Consultant is responsible for:

• Leadership of the local CD team, including management of performance and other Human Resources processes;
• Administration of the department, including planning and management of budgets;
• Planning and implementation of the programmes in the Community Development Plan, with a focus on the core 3Es: Engagement, Education, and Economy;
• Conducting stakeholder mapping and implementing an Engagement plan to build relations with indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs), traditional/local leaders, administrative authorities, and other stakeholders;
• Planning and implementation of the Bangweulu land use plan (in collaboration with DNPW), with appropriate consultation of local communities;
• Monitoring trends in human-wildlife conflict and sensitising communities on mitigation schemes;
• Ensuring implementation of the grievance mechanism – including sensitisation of communities on the process, and maintenance of reporting channels and records;
• Conducting the monitoring and evaluation of CD initiatives, and regular reporting on indicators to internal partners (Funding, Marketing & Communications, etc.);
• Supporting internal and external partners in implementing local community studies, conducting fisheries monitoring, and implementing initiatives such as human rights training.

Job Requirements

Role requirements

• Post-graduate qualification in Social Sciences/International Development/Conservation/ Development Economics or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience, including execution of development activities with rural communities in Africa. Experience with social safeguards is a plus.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English. Local language (Bemba) is a plus.
• Ability to engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders, with ability to work across cultures and to foster collaboration.
• Team leadership skills, with ability to coach junior team members.
• Affinity with conservation and social development in Africa.