Background and position summary

Stretching from Lake Victoria to the Indian Ocean, the Southern Kenya – Northern Tanzania (SOKNOT) transboundary area covers some 134,000 square kilometres. The SOKNOT landscape is famous for conservation areas, including the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Tsavo, Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro crater, important biospheres and bird habitats including Lake Natron, Loita, Amboseli, West Kilimanjaro. There are 39 communal conservancies and 2 wildlife management areas (WMA) that reflect its extraordinary biodiversity and tourism value. The landscape is home to millions of wild animals including threatened and endangered species such as elephant, black rhino, lion, cheetah, hirola and African wild dog. The annual wildlife migrations by up to 1.3 million animals are among the largest worldwide and a main tourist attraction.

There is a critical interdependence between people and nature across SOKNOT. Tourism is built on this unique biodiversity and iconic natural habitat and is a major source of foreign exchange ($10m to communal conservation areas and employment for 3m people, according to Kenya and Tanzania Economic Survey Reports 2017). Traditional livestock farming is the main source of income for the Maasai ethnic groups, who inhabit the lowland savannas and woodlands, and are dependent on grasslands and water. Agriculture, including small scale/supplementary crop farming, and small-scale enterprises are the main sources of income generally. The rapidly escalating human population and high levels of rural poverty in wildlife dispersal areas and priority corridors are key drivers of land-use change, fragmentation and habitat degradation, increasing encroachment and potential human and wildlife conflict. Wildlife is disappearing at a significant rate due to poaching, wildlife trafficking and conflict with humans.

The global pandemic and climate change is exacerbating pressures on the SOKNOT landscape, wildlife and people. Developing more resilient climate smart practices with livestock and natural resource management, can help protect communities from extreme shocks and stresses.

It is both critical and urgent that wildlife and ecosystem services (including water, grasslands) are valued and sustained through community control and stewardship with adequate return to communities for the roles they play in maintaining the balance between people and nature. Sustainable markets need to be developed that increase the return to communities for sustainable practices that maintain ecosystems services.

Role Description

This role is critical in building resilient and diversified livelihoods for the communities which WWF and partners support within the SOKNOT landscape, whilst safeguarding critical wildlife habitats.

The primary responsibility of this position will be to lead on the development and implementation of a livelihoods and value chain strategy for the SOKNOT landscape, and to share learnings to inform wider livelihoods and value chain approaches in WWF priority landscapes, within the region and globally.

The role will work with a range of stakeholders across the landscape, including close collaboration with the local communities, conservancies, partners and other experts and agencies, supporting the business planning and the diversification of income streams and to proactively catalyze and accelerate nature-based livelihood opportunities that benefit people, wildlife and habitats. Initial ideas include livestock, eco-tourism, agriculture, carbon payment schemes, benefit sharing schemes etc.

Key duties and responsibilities

Development of a comprehensive nature-based community livelihoods strategy for the SOKNOT landscape, including detailed plans to ensure financial sustainability.
Elevate and fast-track the development, piloting and implementation of new/improved livelihood solutions aimed at diversifying income streams towards greater livelihood security for communities
Lead on the identification of market-based bankable nature-compatible projects and link to potential investors and appropriate partners e.g. social development NGOs, academics, etc
Work with external consultants and other peer conservation/social development organizations to incorporate advice on specialist areas (including the development of contracts, support communities to negotiate better business deals with tourism and other nature-based investors, reports etc.).
Lead on market analyses, including the development of links to market for key products and associated marketing strategies
Identify key value chain opportunities to assist community members (particularly women and youth) to start and scale up their business.
Lead on the monitoring and evaluation of data and reporting for project, to track performance/impact and adapt as required
Conduct education and awareness activities which will build capacity and assist communities to explore conservation compatible livelihood options in their area.
Assist communities in planning, prioritizing and implementing natural resource management activities in line with agreed work-plans and objectives.
Support communities to gain access to information, resources, other relevant stakeholders and opportunities that are likely to empower them to manage conservation resources more effectively.
Measure the amount of benefits (including non-monetary) that households and community members accrue from conservation programmes.
On behalf of WWF, establish good working relationships with local communities and their leaders, and endeavour to uphold the reputation of WWF.
Liaise closely with other Programmes of WWF-Tanzania and the WWF Network in identifying resilient nature-based livelihoods models and ideas that can be customized to priority landscapes globally.
Share and document learnings to support the wider development of resilient community livelihoods in the region and globally.
Report to key stakeholders including donors – including the preparation of progress reports. Ensure implementation of activities is in line with respective donor grants, expectations and planned outcomes.
In collaboration with WWF Communications Unit, contribute to periodic publications and features on community engagement across the WWF Network.
In all activities ensure, and support others to uphold WWF’s social policies panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/people_and_conservation/wwf_social_p olicies/

Qualifications

A University Degree in the field of Livelihoods/Markets/Value Chains or Natural Resource Management, (A relevant Master’s Degree is an added advantage).

Experience

A minimum of 8 years’ active engagement and experience of working with local rural communities on diversifying livelihoods and developing sustainable nature-based solutions.

Key Skills /Competencies

Experience in developing and implementing livelihood, value chains and enterprise strategies, preferably in a natural-resource context, especially within the ecotourism and livestock sectors.
Skilled in financial and planning, managing large budgets and project management.
Familiarity with the dynamics and key issues related to community-based natural resource management in Kenya and Tanzania.
Understanding of the factors constraining community-based wildlife utilization in Tanzania and Kenya.
Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and diverse setting.
Understanding of and support to gender issues is a must.
Experience of dealing with power differentials and inequalities within and across communities is desirable.
Ability to build good relationships and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders in a respectful, participatory manner.
Experience of engaging with ‘hard to reach’ members of society is desirable.
Experience of working with communities to support natural resource management and improved livelihoods.
Experience of participatory (action) research and co-development of conservation initiatives with a wide range of stakeholders is highly desirable.
Ability to organize and host community meetings, with strong diplomatic skills.
A proper command of written and spoken English, and spoken Swahili; knowledge of Masai is highly desirable and an added advantage.
Understanding of socio-economic and cultural aspects of wildlife conservation, including drivers of human-wildlife conflict, poaching and habitat degradation.
Experience of qualitative and quantitative social science research methods, including surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, research on sensitive topics and their analysis, research ethics.
Self-driven with a pro-active approach to problem solving.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
Frequent field trips away from assigned location, potentially overnight and during weekends.
Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with a wide range of collaborators/audiences, including proven ability to write project and donor reports.
High levels of computer literacy; competent use of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint and Word)
Commitment to WWF and its mission.
Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration

Working Relationships

Internal: Interacts frequently with theme leaders, Coordinators/ Managers, Projects Officers, Consultants, researchers, Practice representatives and all WWF-Tanzania and WWF-Kenya staff

External: Interacts frequently with a range of WWF partner office staff, WWF Regional Office Africa staff, government departments and other agencies, conservation officials in the country, development agencies, communities, NGOs, INGOs and donors.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

CONTRACT

For the position and including a 6-month probation period, WWF Tanzania will award a 2year-contract with the option of further extension based on the availability of project funds with a remuneration according to WWF standard rates.

MODE OF APPLICATION

Applications must include a complete Cover Letter & CV with full contact details of three referees and should be addressed to the People & Culture Manager, via email to: hresources@wwftz.org by 12 May 2022 at 4:30 pm. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce

WWF has a principle of zero-tolerance to fraud and corruption (including kickbacks), if you encounter such incident, report by sending an email to fcci@wwftz.org