Senior Community Officer

Senior Community Officer Jobs in Chama

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) invites applications for the position of Senior Community Officer in Chama. This role is a vital part of our ongoing efforts to conserve biodiversity and support community resilience within the Malawi–Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (MAZA TFCA). The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful conservation and community development initiatives under the EU NaturAfrica-funded “Connecting Livelihoods and Landscape (CoLiLa)” project.

About Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Project

FZS is an international conservation organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and ecosystems across Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. Since 1986, our North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) in Zambia has supported conservation and community development in protected areas and Game Management Areas. Our current focus includes expanding activities in the MAZA TFCA to strengthen biodiversity conservation, inclusive livelihoods, and community-based governance.

Role Overview: Senior Community Officer Jobs in Chama

The Senior Community Officer will play a key role in implementing Approved Annual Operational Plans by guiding and supporting field teams in delivering Chiefdom Implementation Plans within designated chiefdoms. This position emphasizes community engagement, stakeholder coordination, governance support, and effective communication between field teams and community conservation departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide and support field teams in implementing Annual Operational and Chiefdom Implementation Plans.
• Engage with communities and coordinate stakeholders to foster collaborative conservation efforts.
• Provide governance support to Community Resource Boards (CRBs), Village Action Groups (VAGs), Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs), cooperatives, and other community-based organizations.
• Manage safeguards, grievance redress mechanisms, and community feedback processes.
• Oversee land use planning, Game Management Plan (GMP) implementation, and natural resource governance.
• Coordinate community-level human–wildlife coexistence interventions, including prevention, mitigation, and response activities.
• Support conservation education programs in schools and communities alongside the Conservation Education Specialist.
• Promote livelihoods, enterprise development, and value chain support within communities.
• Facilitate routine field data collection, community-based monitoring, and verification of activity outputs.
• Ensure adherence to organizational structures and contribute to the development of workplans, reports, SOPs, and policies.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Management, Forestry Sciences, Community Development, or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in community-based conservation or natural resource management.
• Proven track record working with community governance structures in rural settings.
• Practical experience in human–wildlife coexistence interventions and community engagement.
• Experience supervising field teams and familiarity with donor-funded projects is preferred.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and community facilitation skills.
• Excellent communication abilities and conflict management skills.
• Highly organized with strong reporting capabilities.
• Willingness to work in remote field locations.

Benefits and Work Environment

• Engage in meaningful work that contributes directly to biodiversity conservation and community resilience.
• Opportunity to work in a distinctive transboundary conservation landscape.
• Supportive and professional working environment.
• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

If you are motivated to contribute to conservation and community development, please submit your Curriculum Vitae (maximum three pages) and a Cover Letter (maximum one page) outlining your relevant experience by clicking the “Apply for this Job” link below.

Applicants must include three traceable referees with descriptions of the working relationship and contact details. Appointment is contingent upon submission of ZAQA-certified qualifications.

Application Deadline: 23rd October 2026

Apply for this Job

We appreciate all applications; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About Frankfurt Zoological Society

Frankfurt Zoological Society is an international conservation organization headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. We contribute significantly to global biodiversity protection by supporting and implementing long-term, sustainable conservation projects across Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Our focus is on safeguarding large wilderness areas and biodiversity-rich landscapes for future generations.

Job Details

• Company: Frankfurt Zoological Society
• Location: Chama
• Job Type: Full Time
• Category: Development
• Application Closing Date: 23rd October 2026

How to Apply

Apply using the following link: https://zoologisch.jobs.personio.de/job/2839266/apply?display=en&language=en&pid=4dd8b8c9-e40a-43fb-b3c4-0998413fcc50&it=rWpUs5yHFKvbQlwjYVgJMA&_ghcid=71e67ea4-f328-4404-ad0c-95e7b0e31743