Livelihood 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.
• The communities surrounding Yankari Game Reserve are poor and have several development challenges. Many of the communities suffer varying degrees of damage to crops by certain species of wildlife from Yankari Game Reserve, resulting in human-wildlife conflict.
• Support for sustainable agricultural practices, provision of water and sanitation facilities, training in skills acquisition for youth, veterinary services, support for beekeeping, provision of improved wood stoves, support for adult education, support for nomadic education and tree planting are recommended. Support for women through savings and loans schemes is also recommended.

Main Responsibilities

• The Livelihood Officer is expected to develop and lead a programme of community-related activities around Yankari Game Reserve to improve levels of local support for conservation and reduce community-based threats to conservation targets through use of incentives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee livelihood activities in communities surrounding Yankari. Working with other WCS staff in Yankari the Livelihood Officer will develop a programme of livelihood support for local communities.
• The Livelihood Officer will ensure adequate communication with the Landscape Director on support needed to ensure strong interventions.
• Monthly planning and tracking of field activities and reporting successes is required.
• Work with the monitoring team to develop, coordinate, and maintain a comprehensive monitoring system for all livelihood projects, socio-economic research that leads to more targeted conservation planning, and maintaining up-to-date database information.
• Liaise with WCS partners in the landscape on socio-economic activities to harmonize approaches and avoid duplication of effort.

Position Requirements

• Relevant University Degree preferably in Agriculture or Natural Resource Management.
• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in agriculture or natural resource management.
• Ability to develop clear goals and identify priority activities and assignments
• Demonstrated experience in 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.