Project Field Officer at WWF Zambia

WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature is the world’s largest independent conservation organization, with close to five million supporters and a network active in more than 100 countries on five continents. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF Zambia seeks to recruit proficient, energetic and motivated individual to be part of the team in the following role: Position title: Project Field Officer- Bangweulu Landscape

The WWF Zambia Country Office wishes to recruit a Project Field Officer for its Bangweulu Landscape covering Mpika, Lavushi Manda, Chalabesa, Samfya and Chitambo Districts in Northern Zambia. S/he will be responsible for planning and implementing wildlife and forest conservation initiatives in collaboration with the WWF’S Partners in the Bangweulu ecosystem.  S/he will be directly supervised by the Wildlife Programme Coordinator who is based in Lusaka. The Project Officer will have delegated duties for co-ordination of field activities and organisation of meetings and workshops.

I. Major Duties and Responsibilities

i. In consultation with the Wildlife Programme Lead, the Wildlife Programme Coordinator and  WWF Conservation Partners in Bangweulu Ecosystem, liaise and interact with project stakeholders including traditional leadership and communities in Chiundaponde and Kopa Chiefdoms.

ii. Undertake delegated responsibility in implementing specific project activities related to facilitation of CBNRM, specifically community forest management, wildlife management, conservation agriculture, natural resource-based enterprise development and Conservation education. S/he will have regular links with members of the Traditional Authority, Chiundaponde and Kopa Community Resources Boards (CRBs), Community Forest Groups, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the District Forestry Officer and schools in Chiundaponde and Kopa in the promotion of nature conservation initiatives.

III. Project Planning Implementation and administrative tasks at field level

i. Mobilise and organise community forest management groups in Chiundaponde and Kopa and facilitate registration of appropriate community structures working with the CRBs;

ii. Plan and facilitate CBNRM community meetings, training workshops and visits;

iii. Plan and facilitate community group capacity building activities such as training workshops, exchange visits etc.;

iv. Organise and arrange the key equipment and resources required for forest conservation and development of community-based enterprise development including conservation farming;

v. Facilitate appropriate linkages with specialised government departments for field activities related to CBNRM, Sustainable forest management, Forest based enterprises and Conservation Agriculture and facilitate the establishment of at least one  community game ranch as a method for forest management;

vi. Accurately capture relevant data for project management, monitoring and reporting;

vii. Maintain updated inventories of all equipment provided by the project at field level;

viii. Facilitate and arrange provision of all resources required by the groups;

ix. Assist the project manager in developing market linkages for ecologically produced forest and agricultural products;

x. Submit special activity, monthly, quarterly reports to the programme coordinator;

xi. Attending all scheduled teams and management meetings;

xii. Carry out any other appropriate responsibility as need may arises during the implementation of the project by other senior project staff and partners consortium through the immediate supervisor.

Profile

Required Qualifications and Experience

• BSc/BA degree in Wildlife Management, Forestry/ Sustainable Agriculture/Natural Resources Management/ Environmental management, or a comparable education;
• At least two (2) years field working experience facilitating conservation and community livelihood interventions
• Knowledge of and experience with project designs, implementation and monitoring;
• Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework pertaining to wildlife and other natural resources management in Zambia;
• Experience with stakeholders’ engagement in Zambia would be a strong asset.
• Prepared to work and live in a rural wildlife landscape

Required Skills and Competencies

• Good inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all lev, including with local field project staff, local communities, government agencies, and the scientific community;
• Accountability and a commitment to WWF’s mission;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English;
• Basic skills in working with GIS, Statistical and database applications;
• Willingness to live and work in rural remote areas and enjoy bush camping;
• Must be capable of, or willing to learn how to ride and use a motor bike;
• Must be a self-starter, and able to work with minimum day to day supervision
• Ability to work in a culturally and professionally diverse team.
• Valid motor bikers’/ Drivers’ licence will be an added advantage 

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