Senior Community Extension Officer (UWZGMA)

Position title: Senior Community Extension Officer (UWZGMA)

Reporting to: Community Development Manager

Contract Type: Full Time

Location: Liuwa Plain National Park (LPNP)/UWZGMA

Background

African Parks (AP) is a non-profit conservation organisation that assumes responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. Established in 2000, African Parks manages 24 protected areas across 13 countries, covering more than 20 million hectares of ecologically important landscapes. The organisation operates in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, working to achieve the ecological, financial, and socio-political sustainability of protected areas for the benefit of people and wildlife.

The AP vision is to achieve ecological, financial, and socio-political sustainability of protected areas for the benefit of people and wildlife. A key determinant of socio-political sustainability is the recognition of local people as rights-holders, and a commitment to enabling their active participation in the management of natural resources. The communities should be involved in strategic issues such as proclamation of the park or changes to its status or boundaries, regulations on use, broader land-use planning, resource utilisation, customary practices, and other material decisions that impact on their livelihoods. The role of Senior Community Extension Officer is pivotal in this aspect among other important responsibilities.

Role Profile

The Senior Community Extension Officer (SCEO) serves as the second-in-command within the Community Development Department, providing technical and operational support to the Community Development Manager in coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating Community Development programmes across Liuwa Plain National Park and the Upper West Zambezi GMA. The position is primarily responsible for leading the establishment and implementation of Community Development operations within the APZ mandate area of the Upper West Zambezi GMA, including stakeholder engagement, community mobilisation, environmental education, governance strengthening, safeguards implementation, conservation awareness, and conservation-compatible livelihood initiatives.

The SCEO provides day-to-day leadership, supervision, and support to Community Development staff, including Community Extension Officers and the Environmental Education Officer, while overseeing stakeholder mapping, community entry processes, partnership development, baseline assessments, and community engagement structures. The role also supports implementation of the Land Use Plan, Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and other Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) requirements, while ensuring effective coordination between APZ, communities, traditional authorities, Community Resource Boards, government institutions, and other stakeholders

The Senior Community Extension Officer shall:

1.   Operational Establishment and Stakeholder Coordination in the UWZGMA

•  Lead and coordinate APZ's Community Development establishment activities within the Upper West Zambezi GMA.
•  Supervise stakeholder mapping, baseline assessments, and community profiling exercises to inform programme planning and implementation.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with traditional authorities, Community Resource Boards, government institutions, local leaders, NGOs, civil society organisations, and development partners.
•   Coordinate community entry, consultation, awareness, and engagement processes in accordance with APZ policies and local protocols.
•  Support the establishment and strengthening of community governance and communication structures within the APZ mandate area.
•  Ensure effective coordination and supervision of Community Extension Officers and the Environmental Education Officer in the UWZGMA.
• Monitor stakeholder dynamics, emerging issues, community perceptions, opportunities, and risks, and provide recommendations to management.

2. Department Coordination and Leadership

• Serve as the technical second-in-command within the Community Development Department.
• Assist the Community Development Manager in planning, coordinating and supervising all Community Development programmes.
• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the department.
• Supervise and mentor:
• Environmental Education Officer
• Community Extension Officers
• Community Engagement Officers
• Community Projects Development Facilitator (where applicable)
• Coordinate departmental work plans and monitor implementation progress.
• Act on behalf of the Community Development Manager during periods of absence.

3. Community Development Programme Coordination

• Coordinate implementation of all Community Development interventions.
• Ensure programmes are implemented according to approved work plans and budgets.
• Monitor programme performance and recommend improvements.
• Support annual planning, budgeting and reporting processes.
• Ensure accurate programme documentation and record management.

4. Education Support

• Support implementation of education programmes across the park.
• Coordinate conservation education activities in schools.
• Supervise Environmental Education Officers.
• Support scholarship programmes and learner support initiatives.
• Coordinate school conservation clubs and environmental awareness campaigns.
• Promote environmental education within surrounding communities.

5. Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations

• Lead community mobilisation and consultation processes.
• Maintain strong relationships with:
• BRE
• Traditional Authorities
• Lewanika CRB
• Village Action Groups
• Government Departments
• NGOs
• Cooperating Partners
• Coordinate Chiefs' meetings, community forums and stakeholder consultations.
• Represent the department during meetings and public events.

6. Community Enterprise and Livelihood Support

• Support implementation of community enterprise programmes including:
• Beekeeping
• Agrovet operations
• Mango processing
• Community tourism enterprises
• Other livelihood projects
• Monitor enterprise performance
• Strengthen governance of community enterprises
• Support market linkage initiatives.

7. Environmental and Social Safeguards Support

Working closely with the Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer, the SCEO shall:

• Support implementation of the Liuwa Plain National Park Land Use Plan.
• Assist with implementation of the Grievance and Redress Mechanism (GRM).
• Participate in grievance investigations where necessary.
• Support stakeholder consultations and FPIC processes.
• Promote awareness of Environmental and Social Safeguards Standards.
• Support monitoring of safeguard commitments during project implementation.

8. Community Governance Support

• Strengthen the capacity of:
• Village Action Groups
• Lewanika CRB
• Community committees
• Support governance training
• Promote transparent benefit-sharing
• Provide guidance on community governance matters.

9. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Monitor implementation of Community Development programmes.
• Ensure timely submission of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Maintain programme databases and digital reporting systems.
• Track departmental KPIs.
• Produce management reports and implementation summaries.

10. Communication and Outreach

• Coordinate departmental communication.
• Prepare newsletters, radio programmes and awareness materials.
• Represent African Parks during outreach activities.
• Promote conservation awareness through community media platforms.

11. Other Responsibilities

• Perform any other lawful duties assigned by the Community Development Manager or Park Manager.                                                   

Role requirements

•  A degree or better Conservation/Social work or a related field.
•  Must have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience demonstrating knowledge of community engagement, and a track record of managing community projects.
•  Excellent communication and presentation skills in English. Lozi language is a plus.
• Computer skills: Proficiency in computer applications
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to work with sensitive information.
• Knowledge of local and regional development potential and opportunities in Western Province.
• Understanding of relevant local legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop and analyse community development plans.
•  Knowledge of the Wildlife Act and its implications on communities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to work across cultures and to foster collaboration.
•  Affinity with conservation and social development in Africa.
• Experience of working in Africa, and willingness to travel to and work in rural settings.
• Experience of working in remote areas
•  Valid drivers/riders license.

Behaviour Competencies

• Integrity: Maintain high ethical standards, both personally and professionally; shows integrity, respect and fairness when dealing with the community and fellow employees.
• Teamwork: Co-operates and works well with others in pursuit of team’s goals; shares information; supports others. Contributes effectively towards a collective (organizational) goal or towards solving problems/conflicts even when the topic involved does not directly serve one’s own interests.
•  Conflict resolution: Ability to work with conflict and emotionally distressing matters.
• Flexibility: Adaptable; receptive to new ideas; willing and able to adjust to changing demands and circumstances. Willingness to work on weekends and during holidays if needed.
•  Planning and organising: Setting goals and budgeting in a transparent and effective manner; indicating necessary action, time and resources and monitoring progress.
•  Initiative: Recognising opportunities and acting on them. Pro-active, self-starting rather than passively accepting; actively influencing events.
• Creativity: Conceiving original solutions to job-related problems.

African Parks Zambia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants for this position must have a clean record and traceable references. Candidates must include a daytime contact number.

Interested and qualified candidates must submit their CV with a cover letter describing their suitability for the role. All applicants must include at least 2 contactable references, certified copies of NRC, and relevant Qualifications.

To apply for this position, click on this Link by 3rd September 2026.