Position: Rights & Communities Advisor
Report to: DCD in charge of Programs, DRC
Liaises with: National Safeguards Manager and Regional Rights & Communities team,
Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Country Program/Sector: WCS DRC Program
Start date: ASAP
Position Type: Full-time
Application deadline: March 30,2024
Expected travel: Local travel to field sites, sub-offices and Kinshasa.
Organization Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the livelihoods that depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.
Position Overview:
WCS DRC is seeking a dynamic and experienced Rights & Communities Advisor to support its rights-based approach to conservation efforts across the country. The successful candidate will be based in Goma and will work closely with teams in Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Kahuzi Biega National Park, and Kabobo Wildlife Reserve. Working closely with site-based Community Conservation technical staff, the primary responsibility of the position is to facilitate conflict mitigation initiatives through enabling environments that foster inclusive community engagement strategies that involve all relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, local partners, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement conflict mitigation strategies to address community conservation-related conflicts in WCS sites across DRC.
- Collaborate with WCS field teams, in particular GRM leads to identify conflict hotspots and develop proactive measures to mitigate conflicts.
- Facilitate dialogue and negotiation processes among stakeholders to promote consensus on rights-based solutions.
- Work in close collaboration with site-based Community Conservation teams to design and implement community engagement initiatives that promote the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation planning, community development, and decision-making processes.
- Communicate a rights-based conflict mitigation strategy to local NGOs, local partners, civil society organizations, and community leaders to strengthen relationships, foster collaboration and mutual understanding.
- Provide technical support and capacity building to WCS staff and partners on conflict mitigation, community engagement, and stakeholder consultation techniques.
- Support a rights-based approach that integrates Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives and traditional knowledge into WCS conservation programs and policies.
- Contribute to the development of funding proposals, reports, and communications materials related to conflict mitigation and community engagement activities.
- Work with site teams to develop monitoring and evaluation indicators that are conflict resolution focused.
- Lead on the implementation of conservation-related conflict-resolution initiatives at the site and country level, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, local partners, and local CSOs and community leaders.
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in environmental management, social sciences, conflict resolution, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience working in conflict management, community engagement, or related fields, an added advantage in the context of conservation or natural resource management
- Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and conducting participatory decision-making processes.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including IP & LCs.
- Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal, is required. Knowledge of Swahili or other local languages spoken in DRC is an asset.
- Familiarity with the political, social, and environmental context of DRC.
- Ability to travel frequently to WCS sites across DRC, including remote field locations and in Kinshasa.
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through the link by April 01,2024.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
