Community Programs Liaison at IFA

Job Details Description The Community Engagement Coordinator will act as the primary liaison between IFA and the communities residing in and around Lukasz and Lumber National Parks in Zambia’s Eastern Province. This position is instrumental in fulfilling IFA’s dedication to fostering human-wildlife coexistence, ensuring that local communities are actively involved and empowered to serve as co-stewards of their surrounding ecosystems. The Coordinator will report directly to the Field Operations Manager. Manager As the Coordinator, you will be instrumental in cultivating trust, fostering meaningful dialogue, and implementing practical, locally tailored solutions that harmonize conservation efforts with community welfare. This role is integral to the frontline execution of IFA’s Room to Roam initiative, which aims to foster a unified and flourishing ecosystem for wildlife throughout East and Southern Africa. Serving as the Community Engagement Coordinator, the incumbent will facilitate the adoption of coexistence strategies tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of local communities, with particular emphasis on regions experiencing recurrent human-wildlife conflict. The position demands a combination of technical proficiency, political and cultural awareness, strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and a steadfast dedication to principles of equity and inclusion. Company review platform The Coordinator will collaborate extensively with local governance entities, including traditional authorities, Community Resource Boards, and district government, as well as essential national stakeholders such as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). In partnership with these stakeholders, the Community Engagement Coordinator will advance livelihood initiatives aligned with conservation goals, uphold social safeguards, and enhance the participation of communities—particularly women and youth—as key contributors to sustainable conservation outcomes. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES We are seeking a candidate to undertake program implementation and provide ongoing support, which will constitute 60% of the role’s responsibilities. To ensure alignment with Room to Roam and national conservation priorities, oversee the execution and regular assessment of IFA’s community engagement strategy in Eastern Province, in close collaboration with the Field Operations Manager. Serve as IFA’s primary liaison for community engagement initiatives in Eastern Province, offering strategic insights and practical feedback to Zambian teams and program colleagues based on firsthand field observations. Facilitate ongoing collaboration with communities, traditional leaders, Community Resource Boards (CRBs), and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to develop and implement successful coexistence initiatives. Develop and sustain partnerships with district-level leaders and councils to gain endorsement for conservation initiatives while ensuring IFA’s community programs are integrated with district development objectives. Coordinate IFA’s involvement in community and district-level land use planning initiatives to ensure the preservation of wildlife corridors, the reduction of habitat fragmentation, and the integration of conservation priorities into broader development frameworks. Coordinate the Primary Response Teams (PRTs), overseeing patrols, managing reactive deployments, conducting awareness meetings, and handling inventory management. To assess community needs, risks, and priorities as a foundation for developing and implementing sustainable, wildlife-compatible livelihoods. Execute and manage community awareness and environmental education initiatives, encompassing school-based programs and local radio outreach campaigns. Coordinate the execution of active coexistence strategies—such as Poliwhirl fencing and climate-smart agricultural practices—and evaluate their performance to ensure successful implementation. Employ participatory methodologies and Earth Ranger to systematically document human-wildlife conflict incidents while tracking and analyzing emerging trends. Develop project funding proposals collaboratively and assist in incorporating social safeguards into programmatic initiatives. Community Engagement Assistants contribute specialized expertise and oversee the logistical execution of field trainings, planning sessions, and stakeholder consultations. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Social Safeguards will constitute 20% of your responsibilities. Conduct participatory assessments, gather data, and perform analysis through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Ensure that community engagement initiatives adhere to IFA’s social safeguard standards, encompassing informed consent protocols, comprehensive risk evaluations, and inclusive participation measures. Collaborate closely with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) personnel and program teams to implement contextually relevant indicators and monitor project outcomes. Documentation and Reporting (20%) Collect insights on lessons learned, success stories, and challenges encountered during field engagement to enhance adaptive program management strategies. Craft comprehensive reports, concise briefing notes, and detailed case studies tailored for both internal stakeholders and external partners. Assist in enhancing communication and visibility initiatives by crafting content for

---

How to apply: Click the Apply Now button below to apply, and Create my CV to build a CV tailored to this offer, professionally.