Safeguards Manager 24 views1 applications

BACKGROUND:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The Great Nile Migration Landscape (GNML) in South Sudan spans over 120,000 km² across Badingilo and Boma National Parks, Jonglei State, and adjoining community lands. It forms one of Africa’s most important ecological systems, connecting the Sudd wetlands in the west to the Boma highlands in the east. The landscape supports extraordinary biodiversity, including the largest land mammal migration on earth comprising around 6 million animals.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Safeguards Manager will contribute to embedding a conservation approach that is consistent with international human rights, and with safeguards standards, with both internal and external stakeholders. This role requires an understanding of international human rights, and safeguards frameworks, with an emphasis on the specific issues that apply to the conservation sector in South Sudan.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct South Sudan–based research, data collection, analysis, monitoring, fact-finding, and documentation related to the safeguards arena.
• Proactively identifying human rights implications of business plans and develop consistent and adaptable plans with parks to address them in line with AP HO guidelines and policies, national and international laws standards and methodologies on human rights.
• Integrate safeguards implications from Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAP) and align responses with AP safeguards policies.
• Provide technical assistance for community-level conflict prevention and resolution frameworks, including operationalizing a grievance mechanism accessible to all stakeholders.
• Train and establish a functional grievance mechanism for park staff.
• Work closely with Park Management to review, investigate, and resolve complaints, ensuring accountability and follow-up.
• Ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes guide community engagement and land use planning.
• Establish proactive safeguards monitoring, including independent conflict management audits, surveys, consultations, and field visits, ensuring recommendations are acted upon.
• Design and deliver safeguards training for rangers, particularly focused on inclusive conservation, use of force, arrest procedures, anti-corruption, and gender sensitivity.
• Support Park Management in applying a disciplinary framework for rangers and ensuring capacity-building.
• Develop clear safeguards reporting systems with relevant indicators.
• Assist Park Management in identifying and training human rights focal points within the park’s national staff.
• Ensure adequate first aid materials and training for all park staff.
• Develop and implement, in partnership with South Sudanese authorities, a park-based early warning and community awareness program.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Academic & experience required

Competencies, qualifications and experience needed for the role:

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in project management in fragile or remote contexts, preferably in conservation or development.
Strong leadership, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Demonstrated ability to deliver results in complex, politically sensitive environments.
An understanding of natural resource management, land governance, and community-based conservation.
Experience in managing budgets, procurement, and field logistics.
High personal integrity, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to African Parks’ mission.
Willingness to live and work in remote areas with limited infrastructure.