FZS Zambia

North Luangwa Conservation Programme

Vacancy: Community Livelihoods and Partnership Advisor

The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) conserves wildlife and ecosystems, focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term conservation programs in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. The Africa Programme is FZS’ largest and oldest and is active in five focal countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (www.fzs.org).

FZS Zambia (FZS-ZM) has been active in the North Luangwa Ecosystem since 1986 and Nsumbu-Tanganyika since 2017, working to conserve these globally important wilderness areas. FZS-ZM’s mission is to link livelihoods and landscapes through conservation and enrichment. FZS-ZM continues to expand its activities both in geographical and thematic scope. FZS-ZM’s work is currently funded with significant grants from FZS core funding, international government partners, and private donors.

The North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) was first supported by FZS in 1986 and formally absorbed into its Africa Programme in 1994. NLCP is a partnership between the Government of Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife and FZS-ZM.

Purpose and Objectives of the Position

As NLCP grows, the position of Community Livelihoods and Partnerships Advisor (CLPA), funded through the USAID Luangwa Livelihood and Conservation Activity, is now available. The CLPA will primarily advise on livelihood development in a conservation setting, overseeing and providing strategic livelihood and partnership advisory support to the NLCP Integrated Landscape Unit (ILU).

The ideal candidate will be well-versed in livelihood development and possess the ability to understand and actively navigate a suite of stakeholder requirements. He or she will be an inspiring team member ready to promote productivity and quality of performance, with the following being the core performance areas:

(i) Partnerships:  Identify, formalise, strengthen and monitor strategic partnership arrangements in support of the NLCP operational outcomes related to Community hubs, livelihood strategies and activities (health, conservation-compatible livelihood projects, skills development, community enterprise development, and community tourism);

(ii) Advisory support:

• Develop, implement, and monitor projects and Agreements for conservation-compatible land use management and economic opportunities within the respective NLCP Community Chiefdoms;
• Support conservation and regenerative agriculture activities in collaboration with strategic partners, which seeks to enhance coexistence between humans and wildlife;
• Identify and strengthen community enterprises and associated activities (e.g., natural resource management-related activities, agriculture, tourism, wildlife economy through responsible hunting practices), also through strengthening strategic collaborative partnerships;
• Support vocational training that contributes to socio-ecological and economic goals in the landscape;

(iii) Project management:  provide project implementation and administrative support to NLCP conservation livelihood activities;

(iv) MERL reporting: Ensure sound data management and reporting within the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (MERL) framework and by donor requirements and the NLCP Gender Mainstreaming strategy;

(v) Mentorship: Provide support for the NLCP internship and mentorship initiatives.

Required skills, experience and qualifications

• A first degree and preferably a post-graduate degree (Hons or Master degree) in social and natural sciences—ideally within natural resource management, sustainable development, socio-ecological development and protection, agricultural development, forestry management or similar
• A minimum of 6 years of applied experience in programme design, development and implementation within the following aspects: livelihood programmes (with preference in the Zambian context), community-level enterprise development, human-wildlife conflict mitigation and management, community-based nature resource management, social marketing, community-based organisation governance and operation, community tourism, conservation and regenerative agriculture among small-holder farmers, climate change response strategies, and grievance redress mechanisms
• Excellent collaborative management skills are essential to the role to help deliver effectively against project aims, objectives, and timelines. The role requires a skilled communicator who is confident in delivering meaningful outputs to propel livelihood outcomes. The successful applicant will enjoy working in a dynamic environment where the ability to respond swiftly and thoroughly to challenges and opportunities is paramount. Spoken and written fluency in English and at least one local language is essential.
• Experience in external donor fund/grant management (especially USAID) and monitoring will be an added advantage
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, stakeholder classification and multi-sector governance
• Valid driver’s license with 4×4 off-road experience

In return, the role offers the opportunity to work with Zambia’s longest conservation partnership within a global organization.

Salary: competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience

Start Date: As soon as possible

Contract Type: Full-time; 2 years

Location: Mpika, Mano, and/or other agreed locations within the North Luangwa landscape with substantial time spent in the field with the team and relatively frequent travel to Lusaka