Conservation Education Officer at Wildlife Conservation Society

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 quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop a conservation education outreach strategy for WCS in Yankari.
• Establish and support school conservation clubs in all support zone villages surrounding Yankari Game Reserve.
• Work with school conservation clubs to promote awareness of conservation through field trips, exchange visits, discussion groups, art competitions, essay writing, quizzes, and debates etc.
• Work with school conservation clubs to encourage active participation in conservation such as the establishment of tree nurseries and the planting of trees etc.
• Organise an annual World Environment Day event in collaboration with local partners, rangers, and communities.
• Organise regular community meetings to address local environmental issues and seek local solutions.
• Develop an outreach programme in local communities based on regular film shows.
• Develop and implement a monitoring programme to evaluate impacts of the education programme.
• Assist with the development and production of education materials.
• Support the work of the WCS radio programme in Bauchi State.

Position Requirements

• Relevant University Degree preferably in education or natural resource management.
• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in education or natural resource management.
• Ability to develop clear goals and identify priority activities and assignments
• Demonstrated experience in education and community outreach.
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills, demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Proven ability to manage large and varied workloads, and deal constructively with diverse people.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision.
• Pro-active, stable and robust character and a good team-player
• Full professional proficiency in English and Hausa.