Community Engagement Specialist

Opportunity Closing Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Chemonics International Inc. is a US-based international development consulting firm, operating in over 80 countries. We are seeking a Community Engagement Specialist for the anticipated USAID-funded Southern Africa Countering Wildlife Crime (CWC) Activity.

The purpose of this five-year, $24 million activity is to reduce threats to and protect biodiversity from wildlife crimes in Southern Africa. The goals of the Activity are to improve collaboration among stakeholders, strengthen criminal justice sector capacity, reduce corruption, and increase community support and participation. This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs the community engagement technical area, recognizing the role and commitment of smallholder communities and disadvantaged population groups in sustainable development and conservation of critical ecosystems
• Provides technical advice on best practices and strategies to prevent and mitigate human-wildlife-conflict (HWC) within communities in the CWC targeted landscapes.
• Oversees piloting of community engagement activities in targeted areas to test, monitor, adapt and share effective approaches, facilitate exchange programs from across the region to learn from successful models/approaches, and support community-level dialogue platforms/forums on human-wildlife conflict and compatible livelihoods.
• Works closely with and supports support local institutions - whether regional institutions, governments, NGOs, or others – to effectively engage communities, through piloting, testing, and support learning efforts.
• Empowers communities to engage with and benefit from improved approaches to mitigating HWC.
• Supervises short-term technical experts as required

Minimum Job Requirements

• Advanced degree in social sciences, conservation, natural resources management (NRM), or another field related to community engagement strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant area
• Extensive experience in community engagement, community-based conservation and NRM, livelihoods, gender and inclusion, and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and exchanges.
• Extensive experience assessing community livelihoods, engaging local communities, and establishing multi-stakeholder dialogue mechanisms
• Experience working at with communities, smallholder groups, local populations, and similar organizations in various cultural settings throughout Southern Africa
• Proven ability to support subnational jurisdictions and communities to foster mutually beneficial and equitable relationships
• Fluency in English required
• Preferred experience working under USG funding mechanisms (USAID)

To apply, please submit your CV and application through the below form. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024, however, please submit your application as soon as possible, as candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.