Location: Kigali, Rwanda (with travel in the region)
Reports to: Technical Director of Rights & Communities, Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea
Liaises with: Regional Technical teams and Program Management, Country program R+C teams, Regional CWT and Health Advisors, Global Rights & Communities team
Duration: Full-time
Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international NGO headquartered at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, USA, working to save wildlife and wild lands and to meet global challenges in over 60 countries. WCS believes that conservation of nature and natural resources is essential to life on earth, the future of humanity, and the wellbeing and cultural identities of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea Program is one of the largest of WCS’s 13 Global Regional Programs, spanning the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, and Gabon. The region presents complex conservation challenges, including wildlife loss linked to unsustainable wildmeat use and trafficking, as well as the need for viable alternative livelihoods that align with conservation objectives. WCS field programs address these challenges through human rights-based conservation approaches and protected area management.
Purpose
The Regional Community Conservation Coordinator will ensure development and implementation of effective community conservation programming and strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP and LCs) in conservation solutions, within the Rights & Communities (R+C) program, with an emphasis on incorporating social science research, wildmeat interventions, and alternative livelihoods. The position ensures that WCS’s work is grounded in rigorous evidence-based actions and contributes to improved conservation and community outcomes that align with regional and global strategic priorities.
Responsibilities
Community Conservation Strategy Development and Research Methods
- Leadership and technical guidance in development and adaptation of community conservation strategies, aligning them with wider WCS national, regional, and global strategies
- Support national and site-based technical teams in designing, implementing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative social science research to inform community conservation programming (e.g., community perceptions, behavior change, household surveys, use of kobotoolbox, understanding of Conservation Standards, application of the Institutional Review Board.
- Standardize the approach to, and analysis, of key R+C research tools (e.g. BNS, NRGT) throughout the region.
- Develop and refine indicators for social, health, livelihood, community well-being and community conservation outcomes in partnership with country and regional M&E colleagues.
- Leadership and technical guidance of national and site-based technical teams in the use and application of qualitative and quantitative social science methods into community conservation program planning and adaptive management.
Community Conservation Technical Support – wildmeat and livelihoods
- Coordinate the development of a wildmeat strategy for the region in partnership with country programs and relevant thematics – CWT and One Health (globally and regionally)
- Provide technical guidance to national and site-based technical teams on demand reduction, protein diversification, and zoonotic risk reduction strategies in alignment global and regional R&C and One Health priorities and ensure embeddedness with community conservation strategic development.
- Provide technical support to national and site-based technical teams on monitoring the impact and effectiveness of alternative livelihood initiatives (e.g. micro-credits, poverty graduation approaches, sustainable protein production).
- Support national and site-based technical teams in producing evidence-based reports for donors and partners on community conservation and livelihoods outcomes.
Other Responsibilities
- Contribute to report writing and reviewing to ensure an accurate portrayal of community conservation activities from the field
- Contribute to proposal development to support the continued vision of community conservation throughout the region.
- Analyze and document lessons learned to strengthen future design of community conservation and livelihood activities.
- Represent WCS Central Africa in relevant workshops, meetings, and conferences.
Requirements
- Post-graduate degree (MA/PhD) in conservation social science, anthropology, sociology, environmental policy, or related field.
- Strong expertise in social science research methods (qualitative and quantitative).
- Demonstrated professional experience with wildmeat issues (including OneHealth) and/or alternative livelihoods in conservation or development contexts.
- Familiarity with Central Africa and experience engaging with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
- Ability to design and monitor indicators for community well-being and conservation outcomes.
- Strong communication and writing skills in English and French.
- Experience mentoring and training diverse field teams.
How to apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications, skills, and experience are encouraged to apply via the application tab until December 31,2025.
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.
