Reports to: Social Safeguards Manager
Location: Bauchi Bauchi State
Expected Start date: ASAP
Duration: 1 Year (Renewable subject to availability)
Position Type: Full-time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Travel: 50% above (frequent travel)
About Us
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 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.[AD1] [AE2]
This is outlined in our 2030 strategy, which positions WCS to maintain its historic focus on the protection of species while developing an ambitious plan to engage with a rapidly changing world. The challenges are greater than ever, but with the focus, dedication, and passion of a committed staff combined with a unique mixture of fields, zoo, and aquarium expertise-WCS will continue to set the bar for science, conservation action, and education that has driven our success in protecting wildlife and wild places for over a century. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, adhering to core values of respect, accountability and transparency, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and integrity.
Position Description
The purpose of this position is to oversee the successful implementation and management of WCS’s Social Safeguards mechanisms and policies in the Yankari landscape. The Social Safeguards Officer will provide general social safeguards support in all operations in Yankari Game Reservek, to ensure effective programming in this landscape, especially as it relates to engagement with and safeguarding project participants, and Local Communities. A primary responsibility for the Officer will be the oversight and management of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the landscape while ensuring proper training and mentoring of GRM focal points nominated.
The Officer will report to the Social Safeguards Manager and work closely with other core competencies of the landscape.
The Officer will be based at the WCS project field office- Bauchi, Bauchi State with frequent visits to sites and program implementation communities. Candidates will need to clearly demonstrate they have the necessary experience, skills, and mindset with which to operate effectively in this complex environment.
Why Join Us?
- Leverage WCS’s Safeguards expertise to strategically guide WCS and be a Safeguards focal point for the Yankari Landscape.
- Exceptional opportunity to make significant contributions to the protection of biodiversity conversation.
- Dynamic Team: join a dynamic team and work in a collaborative and conducive environment where your ideas and everyone's input are valued.
- Growth Opportunities: We believe in providing an enabling environment to develop your career. We are committed to developing your skills and competencies and offer opportunities for career advancement.
- Supportive Environment: Work with a team that values respect, teamwork, and excellence.
Purpose and Responsibilities:
Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
The Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is designed to understand, manage, monitor, and mitigate concerns and conflicts within the community related to activities conducted by the Yankari Landscape and its partners. Working with the Safeguards Manager and the site-based landscape team, the Officer will:
- Support, as needed, in the initial pilot phases of the GRM in Yankari based on lessons learned from Cross River State and ensure quality control, operational oversight and carry out the field-based roll-out.
- Work closely with the Safeguards Manager and Landscape Program Manager to identify and train local people within the communities on GRM procedures, and delegate GRM responsibilities appropriately.
- Working with site-based GRM leads to ensure timely feedback from the pilot phase to safeguard the Manager, Landscape Directors, Country Deputy/Director, and all GRM implementation partners.
- Ensure extensive coordination with partners internal and external regarding GRM implementation throughout the Yankari Landscape.
- Provide operational oversight (including work plans and quality control) of the field implementation team for the GRM in the Yankari landscape.
- Ensure regular and timely reporting and coordination on the GRM to the Safeguard Manager, Landscape Director, the Community Conservation Teams, and concerned stakeholders.
- Hold quarterly Pause & Reflect sessions with GRM focal points for the Yankari landscapes, and the Safeguards Manager, to discuss and plan for adaptations or improvements of the GRM systems.
- Record, report and disseminate lessons learned from the rollout of the GRM in the Yankari landscapes, and contribute to donor reports regarding GRM and other safeguards initiatives.
- Monitor to the best extent possible how the GRM implementation influences the perception of communities on the Landscape activities and how the feedback from communities informs the development of the Landscape activities for the benefit of communities.
- Work with the Senior management team, Safeguards Manager, and Yankari Program Manager to ensure regular feedback on the GRM implementation progress in those sites to inform relevant government agencies and partners to influence positively the national GRM framework.
- Manage and monitor the GRM database, ensuring that all submissions are properly documented and tracked in a timely way.
On Broader Social Safeguards matters:
- Support relevant aspects of the implementation of all WCS Social Safeguards policies and procedures amongst field staff and partners – especially as it relates to project participants and Local Communities
- When necessary for project implementation, support the field teams in implementing a thorough Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, and ensure proper documentation of the FPIC process.
- Support the Safeguards Manager in the development of an Early Warning System in Yankari.
- Work with the Yankari Landscape program manager and other staff to develop strategies on conflict mitigation.
- Work with the Safeguards Manager to ensure field teams are abiding by WCS’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and submitting IRB applications when appropriate.
- Support the Community Conservation Teams in conducting socio-economic surveys and assessments and ensure ethical data collection processes.
- Conduct regular training on social safeguards for WCS staff and partners and work with the Social Safeguards Manager to develop modules for these trainings.
- Assist the Yankari and WCS country office teams to ensure that the best international standards are applied to our activities, in line with donor requirements regarding social safeguards.
- Attend meetings with local government authorities and NGO partners to represent the Yankari landscape on Social Safeguards matters upon authorization from management.
- Work any other assigned tasks by management.
Work Relations
- Reporting line manager
- WCS Program team members
- National Park (leadership and staff)
- Key government stakeholders and actors
- Community Leaders
- Country Director
- Counter Wildlife Trafficking Advisor
- Yankari Landscape Program Manager
Essential criteria for candidates:
- Postgraduate qualification in social sciences (International Development Studies, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Human Geography, Conflict Resolution, Human Rights Law, Natural Resource Management and or any equivalent certificate or diploma
- At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring programs/projects especially as it relates to social safeguards and/or the social protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Demonstrate experience in conflict management Resolution.
- At least 3 years of experience in implementing and monitoring programs/projects especially as it relates to social safeguards and/or the social protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
- Have team management experience.
- Demonstrated experience working with marginalized and vulnerable groups.
- Fluency in the local language (Hausa) and English language skills (written and oral) is essential.
- Willingness to live in a remote site, with basic amenities in a multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and proven ability to work as a team player.
- Results-driven work ethic
- Dedication to wildlife and conservation issues, with experience in protected area operations is a distinct advantage.
Functional Skill Set:
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and diplomatic skills with the ability to manage and interact at all levels within and between the multilingual organization
- Good knowledge of local context and Language
- Honest, flexible, and passionate about wildlife and conservation with the ability to enforce and improve law enforcement work
- Report writing skills
- Leadership: Proven leadership and team management abilities.
- Working Relationships: Ability to establish and maintain effective collaborations with various partners.
- Legal Knowledge: Deep understanding of the conservation legal framework in Nigeria.
- Communication Skills: Excellent communication abilities in English, both written and oral.
- IT Skills: Advanced skills in using IT tools for data analysis.
- Flexibility and Passion: Commitment, optimism, and passion for biodiversity conservation.
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results
- Being accountable
- Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
- Communicating for impact
WCS Values:
All WCS team members are expected to demonstrate strong professional and ethnics values. These include.
- Exemplifying integrity
- Accountability and Transparency
- Demonstrating commitment to WCS Nigeria
- Embracing cultural diversity and respect
- Embracing change
How to Apply:
Interested candidates and qualified persons (Nigeria Nationals Only) who meet the above qualifications the matched skill set, and experience should apply by sending their application (Cover letter and CV as one document) with the Subject “Social Safeguards Officer - Yankari” in capital letters to nigeriajobs@wcs.org on or before 25th November 2024.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
WCS is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. Females are strongly advised to apply. WCS would never ask or request you to pay for applying for a position.