Salary: full or part-time K14,000- K16,000 per month (dependent on experience), equivalent to K168,000- K192,000 per annum

Start date: September / early October 2024

About the role:

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Community Engagement Officer to join our Bats without Borders colony, working on our Copperbelt Bats project. The job is based in Ndola, with some work in Kitwe (Copperbelt Province, Zambia) and involves engaging with local communities, in particular school learners, key stakeholders, and local authorities to promote the conservation and protection of fruit bat species in the region. This new position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on wildlife conservation efforts while strengthening positive relationships within the community.

The successful post holder will be involved in looking into inclusive and participatory ways of engaging and supporting people to learn about and take action for bats. You will be rolling out our Classrooms without Walls education programme in schools and working with a Youth Panel to co-design lesson plans and activities that will then be trialed by learners to inform any updates. The role will include teaching and leading environmental activities with a wide variety of groups, from preschool, Primary and High schools.

Key responsibilities:

● coordinate educational programmes and outreach initiatives targeting schools, local organizations, and community groups;

● trial Classroom without Walls education programme with two schools in Ndola and Kitwe;

● recruit a youth panel to co-design activities, lesson plans and a book focusing on bat conservation in the Copperbelt area;

● conduct evaluation and monitoring to assess success of project objectives;

● assist in the development of grant applications to support community engagement activities (helping to scale and extend our activities);

● maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and communicate findings to the team and the broader community;

● represent the organization at meetings, workshops, and public events; and

● working closely with your line manager and BwB team to ensure the smooth running of the project.

Our Vision

Bats and their habitats in southern Africa are valued, protected and conserved for the well-being of bats, biodiversity and people.

Our Mission

Bats without Borders is dedicated to conserving bats, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems within southern Africa’s changing landscape. We will achieve this by supporting and conducting applied research that informs targeted conservation action, strengthening local capacity and promoting a positive attitude towards bats through public engagement.

Our Commitments

Bats without Borders will strive to:

● PROTECT bat diversity and habitats by advocating for policy change with key stakeholders across southern Africa, informed by collaborative, evidence-based and ethical research.

● RESTORE important natural habitats through conservation action informed by evidence-based research, in collaboration with African and international partners.

● ENGAGE ecologists, researchers and conservationists across Africa to mobilized and protect their natural heritage through capacity strengthening and networking.

● INSPIRE people in southern Africa to learn, better understand, appreciate and even love bats through inclusive, participatory and fun education and community engagement.

● EMPOWER people to create and realize more sustainable livelihood strategies that both contribute to the alleviation of poverty and the conservation of key ecosystems and biodiversity.

About you

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed individual with excellent communication and engagement skills. You will have proven experience in outreach and education and a passion for conservation and youth / community engagement. Person specification Essential

● right to live and work in Zambia

● BSc in Wildlife Management or related programme

● excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask

● self-motivated and able to work independently / remotely

● excellent relationship management and team player

● reliability and commitment

● a friendly and supportive approach to dealing with people

● excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences

● proficiency in data collection, analysis, and report writing

● willingness to travel within Copperbelt Province and occasionally nationally

Desirable

● experience of working with community-based organizations

● experience of evaluation and monitoring methodologies

● knowledge of participatory approaches

● knowledge of bat ecology, conservation issues, and relevant legislation.

Impact

This role will:

● provide a case study for human-bat coexistence for us to learn, expand and develop new projects

● encourage positive attitudes and behaviors towards bats within communities, reducing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting coexistence.

● support a Youth Panel to co-design inclusive and engaging youth activities and a book

Benefits

We aim to ensure that everyone in the team (staff, interns and volunteers) feels integral and included. We offer the opportunity to work with our friendly, enthusiastic, and experienced team. You will also benefit from working with a wide range of stakeholders and in-country partners. You will also have access to relevant training.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Bats without Borders is committed to reducing inequality, valuing diversity and enabling inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer, and ensure positions are accessible to all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, age, disability, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or identity, religion, marital or parental status.