Head of Development and Community Conservation Department Full Time NEW

Context of Upemba National Park

Upemba National Park (PNU), legally protected since 1939, is one of Africa’s oldest national parks. It is connected to Kundelungu National Park and several reserves, forming a vast mosaic of protected areas. Upemba boasts a rich diversity of habitats, transitioning from highland steppe to Miombo woodland, grassy savanna, and wooded savanna. The park is home to numerous rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, and gallery forests. The Lufira River and Lake Upemba, both within the park’s boundaries, form a crucial watershed for the region and serve as a source for the mighty Congo River.

Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the Forgotten Parks Foundation (FPF), management responsibility for the park has been delegated to Forgotten Parks (FP) for the next 15 years. FP is tasked with overseeing park management, monitoring, protection, and developing sustainable funding mechanisms to cover ongoing management costs.

Green Economic Development and the Green Alliance

The green economy concept highlights the interdependence between economic development and environmental conservation. A green economy improves human well-being and promotes social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and resource scarcity. It is characterized by low carbon emissions, resource efficiency, and social inclusion.

Achieving a green economy requires a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including local actors, public authorities, the private sector (agriculture, energy, mining, etc.), communities, civil society organizations, and conservation agencies such as ICCN and its partners. This coalition, referred to as the “Green Alliance,” will work collaboratively to optimize land and resource use, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous economy aligned with provincial and national strategies.

To establish a green economy, key challenges must be addressed, including land security, land-use planning (incorporating Miombo forest protection), and alternative energy solutions to wood fuel. This must be guided by community development principles, strong local governance, and engagement with key decision-makers.

Position Overview

The Community Development and Conservation Manager is a key member of the PNU Management Unit and supports the execution of community conservation activities and the implementation of Upemba’s Green Economy Strategy developed by Forgotten Parks. This includes establishing agreements with communities, engaging the private sector, and leading successful pilot projects. The Manager will directly support the park management team, which reviews and prioritizes work during monthly management meetings.

Personal Qualities:

• Ability to work in a professional team with a high level of responsibility.
• Strong collaborative spirit, leadership skills, and cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to contribute to a positive and dynamic team culture.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, flexible, and eager to learn.
• Strong integrity and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

A. Community Development and Conservation

• Lead the design and implementation of the Community Development and Conservation Plan (Dev&COCO)for the Upemba landscape to achieve agreed strategic objectives.
• Coordinate the Land-Use Planning process, including community mapping, data validation with local communities, and report writing.
• Manage the Community Development and Conservation team, overseeing daily operations, performance management, budgeting, and reporting.
• Supervise the different units within the DEV&COCO Department:
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Community Conservation
  • Environmental Education
• Implement and monitor activities outlined in the Business and Operational Plans for the department, including stakeholder engagement, land-use planning, environmental education, and sustainable agriculture.
• Oversee the environmental education program in coordination with the Communications Officer.
• Develop and manage partnerships with NGOs, private sector organizations, and funding agencies to support technical and financial implementation of activities.
• Support PNU’s stakeholder relations, including engagement with the EU, the park’s board, ICCN, local authorities, communities, and relevant ministries.
• Assist PNU in fundraising efforts and contribute to technical proposal writing when needed.

B. Green Economy Development

• Lead the development of a green economy model within and around Upemba National Park, including innovating and creating new models.
• Design and test sustainable economic models adapted to local realities.
• Support the FP leadership team in defining FP’s long-term development strategy and financial sustainabilityin key areas inside and around PNU.
• Develop and implement conservation-linked economic projects.
• Facilitate active involvement of business stakeholders in the Green Alliance, leading to the creation of agreements and development projects.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of a Land-Use and Zoning Plan for the Upemba landscape.
• Advocate for business participation in green economy investments, including carbon credit opportunities.
• Develop community-driven projects in partnership with private sector actors, local governments, and other organizations.

C. Implementation

• Navigate complex environments involving local policies, ecological challenges, and economic realities.
• Build strong relationships with traditional authorities, government institutions, NGOs, and community forums.
• Engage and mobilize communities, local governments, and private sector companies around FP’s objectives.
• Develop the most effective structure to organize and channel community, donor, and private sector participation in long-term park support.
• Support the development of FP’s business plan and revenue-generating pilot projects.
• Manage outreach activities, including public events, radio programs, exhibitions, and presentations.
• Ensure synergy and communication across departments on all cross-cutting topics.
• Oversee team management and capacity-building of approximately 20 staff members.
• Handle administrative duties, including budget preparation and reporting.

D. Technical Skills

• Deep knowledge of bioeconomy models, agroecology, ecotourism, and non-timber forest product development.
• Understanding of ecological dynamics and conservation challenges in a national park setting.
• Expertise in impact assessment methodologies for community projects.
• Proficiency in GIS and digital tools for activity monitoring (mapping, natural resource tracking, etc.).
• Experience working with local communities (fishers, farmers, pastoralists, etc.).
• Ability to manage conflicts related to resource access and conservation initiatives.
• Design training programs for communities and local actors.

E. Communication, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Ensure that FP’s community development and conservation projects are well-documented and support PNU’s visibility and advocacy with assistance from the FP Communications team.
• Monitor and evaluate key performance indicators and submit periodic reports.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Community Conservation, Geography, Agronomy, Development Studies, Social Ecology, or related fields.
• Ideally 10 years of development work with increasing responsibility in the conservation sector.
• Knowledge of community planning and development theories and practices.
• Experience working with local communities in the region.
• Strong communication and technical skills.
• Proficiency in French and English (Swahili is an asset).
• Experience developing and implementing successful conservation-development strategies.
• Ability to build coalitions and facilitate stakeholder collaboration.
• Experience with institutions such as IUCN, WWF, GIZ, and the World Bank.
• Strong understanding of the conservation sector in Africa.

Contract Conditions

• Competitive salary
• One-year initial contract (six-month probation)
• Remote and challenging location – requires self-sufficiency, resilience, and adaptability.

Tagged as: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Forgotten Parks