Community Outreach Lead at IFA

Job Details Description The Community Engagement Coordinator will act as a vital liaison between IFA and the communities residing in and around Zambia’s Eastern Province, specifically within the Lukasz and Lumber National Parks. This position plays a pivotal role in fulfilling IFA’s dedication to fostering human-wildlife coexistence by actively involving and empowering these communities as collaborative stewards of their surrounding ecosystems. The incumbent will report directly to the Field Operations Manager. Manager The Coordinator will be instrumental in establishing trust, fostering meaningful dialogue, and implementing practical, locally tailored solutions that harmonize conservation efforts with community wellbeing. This role is integral to IFA’s Room to Roam initiative, a forward-looking program dedicated to fostering a connected and sustainable future for wildlife throughout East and Southern Africa. Serving as the Community Engagement Coordinator, the incumbent will play a key part in executing coexistence strategies tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of local communities, with a particular focus on regions grappling with recurring human-wildlife conflict. The position demands a blend of technical expertise, political and cultural awareness, strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and an unwavering dedication to equity and inclusion principles. Company review platform The Coordinator will collaborate extensively with local governance entities, including traditional authorities, Community Resource Boards, and district government officials, as well as engage with critical national stakeholders like the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). In partnership with these groups, the Community Engagement Coordinator will advance livelihood initiatives that align with conservation goals, uphold social safeguard measures, and empower communities—particularly women and youth—to take an active role in achieving sustainable conservation outcomes. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES Program Execution and Technical Assistance (60%) Coordinate the periodic evaluation and execution of IFA’s community engagement strategy within Eastern Province, ensuring alignment with Room to Roam objectives and national conservation goals, in direct collaboration with the Field Operations Manager. Serving as IFA’s primary liaison for community engagement initiatives in Eastern Province, this role will offer strategic guidance to Zambian and program teams based on firsthand field insights and direct interactions. Coordinate daily interactions with communities, traditional leaders, CRBs, and DNPW to develop and implement impactful coexistence initiatives. Develop and nurture strategic partnerships with district-level leaders and councils to secure backing for conservation initiatives while ensuring alignment between IFA’s community programs and district development priorities. Cooperate with community and district-level land use planning initiatives to ensure IFA’s involvement effectively supports the establishment and preservation of wildlife corridors, minimizes habitat fragmentation, and incorporates conservation priorities into broader development strategies. We oversee the Primary Response Teams (PRTs), including the organization of patrols, scheduling of reactive deployments, facilitation of awareness meetings, and management of inventory. Conduct thorough assessments of community needs, risks, and priorities to guide the development and execution of sustainable livelihood initiatives that are compatible with wildlife conservation. Develop and manage community awareness and environmental education initiatives, encompassing school-based programs and local radio broadcasts. Coordinate the execution of active coexistence strategies—such as Poliwhirl fencing and climate-smart agricultural practices—and assess their performance to ensure optimal outcomes. Utilize Earth Ranger alongside participatory methodologies to log human-wildlife conflict events and track emerging patterns. Assist in crafting project funding proposals and facilitate the incorporation of social safeguards within program initiatives. Community Engagement Assistants play a pivotal role in facilitating field trainings, planning meetings, and stakeholder consultations by offering technical expertise and coordinating all necessary logistical arrangements. Professional Rewrite: The role involves overseeing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Social Safeguards activities, which constitute 20% of the responsibilities. Conduct participatory assessments, gather data, and perform analysis through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. To guarantee that community engagement initiatives align with IFA’s social safeguard standards, oversee adherence to informed consent protocols, conduct thorough risk assessments, and foster inclusive participation. Collaborate with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and program teams to implement contextually appropriate indicators and monitor project outcomes. Documentation and Reporting (20%) Document field engagement experiences, including lessons learned, success stories, and challenges, to enhance adaptive program management. Compile and distribute periodic reports, executive summaries, and case studies tailored for both internal stakeholders and external partners. Support communications and visibility initiatives by developing content for

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