The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

1. Presentation of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme

The Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme is an initiative of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, funded by the European Union. The goal of the SWM Programme is to reconcile food security and wildlife conservation through sustainable and legal exploitation of resilient animal populations by indigenous and rural populations, while increasing or diversifying the supply of alternative sources of protein. The Programme is implemented through a partnership composed of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which is the Programme Implementing Agency, the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). The first phase of the project was for five years (2018 to 2023). The second phase of the programme started in August 2023 for a duration of three years.

2. The Mize Community Conservancy

In Zambia, the SWM Programme focus is on supporting the newly created Mize Community Conservancy (MCC) in Kazungula District, part of Southern Province. The MCC covers 585 km2, and has an estimated population of 135,100 people, who will manage the CC and benefit from it The MCC holds a key position in the KAZA landscape, covering part of the Simalaha Valley, which, together with the neighboring Simalaha CC (SCC) links the Chobe National Park in Botswana and the Kafue National Park in Zambia. Mize CC was developed using lessons learned from the establishment of Simalaha CC (SCC), which was established in 2012, with the support of the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), covers 1,800 km2 and involves an estimated population of 24,000 people. This whole landscape constitutes a strategic corridor in which animal movements are prominent.

Three key aims of the SWM project in Zambia are to:
• Increase the current low abundance of wildlife populations in Mize CC to a level where they can be managed for sustainable use and create a long-term management strategy that allows local communities to benefit from their wildlife.
• Reduce pressure on wildlife during this recovery phase, by supporting the diversification of community income sources in the short and long-term.
• Enhance the landscape connectivity between Chobe (Botswana) and Kafue (Zambia) National Parks.

To achieve these three aims, the SWM Zambia Project, in collaboration with Peace Parks Foundation, will:
• Develop and implement a 5-year MCC Management Plan and associated 1-year Action Plan for Mize CC.
• Create and re-stock a 10,000-ha fenced community ranch for high value species and game species, managed by MCC Board under a 5-year Management Plan.
• Develop a few key nature-based local enterprises to ensure that income-generating activities that can provide relatively quick returns are available to local communities, while wildlife populations are being re-established within the fenced ranch (which will take longer to become profitable).
• Manage the MCC as part of a landscape approach (to include the neighboring SCC), ensuring landscape connectivity between Chobe and Kafue National Parks, in partnership with PPF.

All activities will be carried out following the CRBA and the Social Safeguards tools put in place during the SWM1 project (CRBA, gender strategy, FPIC, grievance redress mechanism).

Duties and responsibilities

Principal functions

As the head of the Site Management Unit (SMU) for the Zambia Site, the Site Coordinator will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of site-based activities funded by the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme (hereafter referred to as the Programme). He/she will work under the supervision of the SWM Programme Management Unit (PMU) and in coordination with the Principal investigator at CIFOR-ICRAF (Dr Lauren Coad) to ensure site-based activities are implemented in alignment with the Programme framework. Finally, he/she will also be responsible for maintaining a smooth, transparent, and effective collaboration with the national government, the donor, and national partners both through the Site Review Committee (SRC) and regular direct communication. The Site Coordinator will manage and supervise the activities implemented in close coordination with local partners (including Peace Parks Foundation, Wildlife Producers Association of Zambia, Wildlife Trade Futures etc.) as well as with the KAZA Secretariat, member if the SRC.

1. Development of six-month and annual work plans and budgets for the SWM Zambia site

• Preparation of the six-month and annual work plan and budget in line with the Programme framework, the project document and estimated total budget, in coordination with the PMU, the Technical and scientific committee and with potential support of the PI where needed.
• Revision of the six-month and annual work plan addressing comments from the PMU, Site Review Committee and Steering Committee.
• Preparations for the endorsement of six-month (prior to the annual meetings of the Programme steering committee) and final annual work plans by the SRC.

2. Leadership and monitoring of implementation of site-based activities according to the agreed work plan and budget

• Supervision of staff hired by CIFOR under the Programme (currently 5 staff)
• Technical and financial planning and supervision of activity implementation on-site including staff management, collaboration between SWM partners, management of equipment and infrastructure, compliance with appropriate procedures.
• Development and coordination of all LoAs developed with local partners for the implementation of the annual work plan (Peace Parks Foundation, Wildlife Producers Association of Zambia, Wildlife Trade Futures etc)
• Expertise mobilization, including development of ToRs, identification of experts within the consortium or outside (through consultancies or partnership development with other partners), contracting, consultation facilitation and backstopping (according his/her areas of expertise), review of deliverables.
• Focal point for the PMU, the donor, the Mize CCC Board and the national government.
• Monitoring of activity implementation and adoption of corrective actions as needed to ensure adherence to work plan and budget, transparence and accountability.
• Regular assessment of Programme impact and outcomes, monitoring & evaluation, and knowledge management systems with relevant information and data.
• Supervision of logistical arrangements for activity implementation.
• Act as secretary of the Site Review Committee; in charge of the regular organization and reporting of the Site Review Committee meetings (at least two per year) and other activities such as field visits.

3. Coordination of reporting for site level activities

• Coordination and submission of the six-month and annual narrative and financial reports according to PMU and donor requirements.
• Revision of six-month and annual reports addressing the PMU, SRC and Steering Committee comments.
• Preparing for the endorsement of six-month (prior to submission to the Programme steering committee) and annual reports by the SRC.

4. Knowledge product production and visibility activities

• Coordination of all knowledge products development and visibility activities at site level, in line with the Programme communication and visibility plan and in consultation with the PMU communication coordinator.
• Regular preparation and transmission of knowledge product contents related to site activities to the PMU to feed Programme-level communication and visibility activities.
• Participation in the revision and approval of all communications content relating to site activities.
• Regular direct communications on project progress with the PMU, the MIZE CC Board and the government.

5. Representation of the site in international, regional and national forums and meetings related to the Programme

• As necessary, identify and participate in international, regional, and national forums and meetings to represent the Zambia site as part of the overall Programme. For example, the ongoing National CBNRM strategy in Zambia.

6. Participate in informal and formal networking opportunities with other site coordinators and teams

• As necessary, initiate or participate in informal and formal meetings with site coordinators from other SWM sites to discuss issues of common interest and measures to resolve obstacles encountered at the site level.
• Contribute in particular to the regional coordination activities of the 4 KAZA countries promoting the Community Conservancy model (i.e. Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe), e.g. Organizing study tours, regional training, communication and outreach products.

Education, knowledge and experience

• More than 10 years international experience in project coordination and management, particularly in areas related to wildlife management.
• Familiar with Wildlife Management in KAZA countries or at least in Southern Africa
• Experience in project reporting and fund raising.
• Fluent in English. Other local Zambian languages would be a plus.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for 1 (one) year, inclusive of a three-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Zambia.
  To apply, please visit our career site at: http://www.cifor.org/careers and https://www.worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf
  To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org
  CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
  CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 25 Oct-2023
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.