Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer

Frankfurt Zoological Society

Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Program

Position in the organization

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer reports to the Operation Manager from there to the Program Manager – Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Program

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer will work together with Bariadi District Council – (Game Officers), FZS – SECP project staff, community leaders, village human-elephant conflict monitors (HECM), village elephant control group (Vikosi Kazi), and other project stakeholders to support multiple interventions aimed at mitigating human elephant conflict and promoting coexistence with wildlife in the project villages in accordance with the donor project plan and log frame.

Purpose of the job

FZS mission: We conserve wildlife and ecosystems focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places

FZS Community Support Department purpose:

• To empower local communities in the Serengeti Ecosystem to develop and engage in conservation compatible livelihoods based on the sustainable use of natural resources.

As part of our growing conservation efforts within the greater Serengeti Ecosystem, FZS is looking for a highly motivated candidate to fill an important role in implementing a project in partnership with Bariadi District Council, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) and other stakeholders that aims to address human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in Bariadi District. The role would suit someone with a first degree and at least two years of similar experience in this field and with skills in project management, monitoring and evaluation work.

Job Background

FZS – Serengeti Project has recently secured a grant from Save the Elephant (STE) – Elephant Crisis Fund, entitled “Enhancing human-elephant co-existence in the Serengeti Ecosystem:

Scaling up to Bariadi and sustaining success in Serengeti District.”. This project will strengthen and expand the Human-Elephant Conflict monitoring and response system in 14 villages in Western Serengeti to reduce incidents of Human-Elephant conflict.  Through this funding, FZS will facilitate the District Councils (BDC) Game Office adjacent to the Protected Areas  to increase its capacity and effectiveness in utilizing multiple mitigation tools for managing human-wildlife conflict in partnership with the PA authorities and the local communities. Together, FZS and the District Game Office form the project team. The project will benefit from the added value of ongoing support via FZS for village land use planning and Community Conservation Banks (CoCoBas).

Main Outputs

Specific Duties:

• Work in collaboration with the District Game Officer (DGO) to support the establishment and training of new human-elephant conflict monitors (HECM) and village elephant control group (Vikosi Kazi),
• Work in collaboration with the District Game Officer (DGO) to provide training and capacity to HECM and the village elephant control group (Vikosi Kazi), on the proper use of HWC tools, methods, and approaches (jointly known as HWC toolkits).
• Advise the village authorities on how to support human-elephant conflict monitors (HECM) and the village elephant control group (Vikosi Kazi).
• Advise communities on areas where new Vikosi Kazi groups and HECM teams are required and assist the Project Team in the formation of new groups as needed
• Enable the Vikosi Kazi and HECMs to spread community participation (acting as HEC & coexistence ambassadors) in crop protection measures particularly in using non-lethal methods to chase elephants away from the village land such as crop protection, alternative crop production.
• Advise on implementing innovative HEC mitigation strategies for community-based HEC mitigation schemes.
• Promote environmentally friendly income-generating activities among HECM and village elephant control group (Vikosi Kazi) including promoting membership of the microfinance program of Community Conservation Banks (CoC0Ba)
• Conduct monitoring and mentoring field visits frequently with the wider FZS and DGO Office project team for all human-elephant conflict activities in the project villages for HEC mitigation support.
• Train HECMs in digital approaches to data collection and ensure that quality HEC incident data is collected on a weekly basis by HECM as required by the DGO office.
• Support the development of educational material on HEC topics and deliver training seminars and workshops for different target groups to raise awareness about HEC mitigation measures.
• Monitor and manage the distribution of the HEC toolkits in each project village, including training in the use of the items and their care and maintenance.
• Attend and participate in relevant village meetings in the project area.
• Support writing regular and timely field Activity Reports (AR)
• Maintain relationships between project partners and project villages.
• Support the Project team with donor relationships and the generation of new proposals for further funding
• Perform any other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from a recognized institution.
• In-depth understanding of human-wildlife conflict
• At least 1 year of working experience related to community-based natural resource management and/or conservation.
• Basic computer skills in using Microsoft package and email programs
• Conversant in the use of mobile applications to collect field data
• Basic GIS skills will be an added advantage.
• Valid driver’s license, ability to drive manual vehicles/cars and motorcycles on and off-road.
• The ability to work under remote field conditions and circumstances.

Desired:

• Bush driving experience
• Experience working in national parks and remote areas especially in the Serengeti ecosystem
• Work experience in HWC would be an advantage
• A passion for wildlife conservation

Behavioural Competencies:

• Work systematically: Structuring one’s work in an orderly and transparent manner; carrying it out with an eye for detail and accuracy.
• Integrity: Maintaining high ethical standards both personally and professionally: being incorruptible.
• Sensitivity: Showing consideration, concern and respect for other people’s attitudes, feelings, or circumstances and being aware of the influence of one’s own behaviour on them.
• Negotiating: Obtaining maximum results in situations of different interests so that all parties accept and agree and the relationship is not damaged.
• Teamwork: Cooperating and working effectively to achieve a shared goal – even when the topic involved does not directly serve one’s interests.

Terms

A fixed salary will be offered to a successful candidate depending on qualifications and experience.

The position will be based around the Serengeti ecosystem where there are Human wildlife hotspots areas which include Serengeti and  Bariadi Districts with frequent visits to the field to respond to HWC cases .

Additional benefits include

• Basic housing, medical insurance and 30 days paid leave per annum.

This is a fixed contract of 12 months with the possibility for renewal subject to funding and satisfactory performance.

Mode of application:

Candidates should submit a letter of intent (not more then 2 pages) describing how they qualify for this position, a CV, and two referees including contact phone numbers, and email addresses at their earliest convenience.

All application letters should be addressed to

Human Resource Manager 

FZS Tanzania Country Office:

Markus Borner Cente,

22nd Street,

23114, Njiro.

P.O. Box 14935,

Arusha. 

Deadline: 24th  October  , 2024.

Submit your application to: jobs.tanzania@fzs.org

Only qualifying shortlisted candidates will be contacted.