Job Reference Number:\u00a0AP-333
\nDepartment:\u00a0Community Development
\nBusiness Unit:
\nIndustry:\u00a0Technical
\nJob Type:\u00a0Contract
\nPositions Available:\u00a01
\nSalary:\u00a0Market Related
\nThe Safeguards Specialist(SS) supports the Community Development Manager and works closely with the Regional Safeguards Manager and park teams to implement African Parks\u2019 Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and human rights commitments in Bangweulu.
\nJob Description
\nBackground
\nAfrican Parks is a nonprofit conservation organisation that manages protected areas in partnership with governments and communities across Africa, with a strong commitment to human rights and safeguards, including transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse. Bangweulu Wetlands is a community-owned protected area in north\u2011eastern Zambia managed jointly by African Parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and six Community Resource Boards (CRBs). Covering roughly 6,000 km\u00b2 of floodplains, swamps and woodlands, it sustains unique biodiversity such as the endemic black lechwe and the vulnerable shoebill, while supporting approximately 60,000 local residents whose livelihoods depend on the wetland.
\nPurpose of the Role
\nThe Safeguards Specialist (SS) supports the Community Development Manager and works closely with the Regional Safeguards Manager and park teams to implement African Parks\u2019 Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and human rights commitments in Bangweulu. The SS ensures that risks are identified and mitigated, GRM pathways function effectively, and that park planning and operations align with national law and international good practice.
\nReporting
\nThe safeguards Specialist (SS) will report to the Community Development Manager with a dotted line to the \u00a0Regional Safeguards Manager Southern Region at Part level.
\nKey Responsibilities
\nKey Responsibilities<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0Safeguards System & Compliance<\/p>\n
Implement African Parks\u2019 safeguards policies and procedures at park level (human rights, zero\u2011tolerance for SEA\/SH, labour rights, transparency and accountability).
\nOperationalise the park Environmental & Social Management System (ESMS): screening, categorisation, risk registers, and the preparation\/quality review of instruments (e.g., ESMPs, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Livelihood Restoration Plans, SEA\/SH Action Plans).
\nEnsure compliance with Zambian environmental and social regulations (Environmental Management Act and ZEMA EIA procedures) and AP\u2019s donor safeguards requirements.
\nProject Cycle Support
\nProvide safeguards inputs into project concepts, TORs and budgets; guide preparation and disclosure of ESIA\/ESMPs and other plans.
\nSupport incorporation of safeguards measures into procurement, construction, fisheries management, law enforcement, tourism and community projects; track contractor compliance.
\nCommunity Engagement & Grievance Redress
\nStrengthen and manage accessible, transparent Grievance and Redress Mechanisms (GRM) at community and park levels, ensuring safe, survivor\u2011centred pathways for sensitive cases (including SEA\/SH).
\nFacilitate meaningful, inclusive consultations with communities (CRBs, VAGs, traditional leaders, women, youth, persons with disabilities) and document engagement and consent processes consistent with rights\u2011based conservation.
\nCoordinate with government, civil society and partners to resolve grievances and monitor commitments.
\nCapacity Building & Culture
\nPlan and deliver training and refreshers for rangers, community staff and contractors on human rights in law enforcement, conflict sensitivity, GBV\/SEA\/SH prevention, and stakeholder engagement.
\nMentor park focal points to mainstream safeguards in daily operations and data management.
\nMonitoring, Reporting & Learning
\nLead safeguards monitoring (site visits, audits, compliance checklists), maintain risk and incident logs, and track implementation of mitigation measures.
\nPrepare high\u2011quality internal reports and donor updates; contribute safeguards sections to park plans and annual reports.
\nSupport internal inquiries or fact\u2011finding where alleged misconduct or rights concerns are reported, ensuring due process and ethical standards.<\/p>\n
Coordination & Representation<\/p>\n
Liaise with CRBs, DNPW, local authorities, NGOs and development partners on safeguards matters.
\nContribute to cross\u2011park learning and continuous improvement of African Parks safeguards practice.<\/p>\n
Qualifications & Experience<\/p>\n
Bachelor\u2019s degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental or natural resources management, social sciences, human rights, international development, anthropology, conservation policy) with law as an added advantage.
\nMinimum 4\u20136 years of progressively responsible experience applying environmental and social safeguards and rights\u2011based approaches in conservation or development, including field work in remote settings.
\nPractical knowledge of ESIA\/ESMP processes, stakeholder engagement, and grievance mechanisms; familiarity with international safeguards frameworks (e.g., IFC Performance Standards\/IUCN ESMS) and donor requirements.
\nUnderstanding of Zambia\u2019s Environmental Management Act and ZEMA EIA procedures; experience working with government counterparts and community structures (CRBs\/VAGs) is an advantage.
\nTraining facilitation skills and the ability to build capacity of diverse teams (rangers, contractors, community monitors).
\nStrong analytical, writing and data skills; ability to meet deadlines and operate with independence under pressure.
\nMust be ready to stay in Bangweulu wetlands HQ.
\nFluency in English; proficiency in at least one local language used in Bangweulu is an advantage.<\/p>\n
Job Requirements
\nKey Competencies<\/p>\n
Integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgement in sensitive contexts.
\nExcellent interpersonal skills; ability to build trust and rapport in multi\u2011cultural, community\u2011based settings.
\nConflict resolution and problem\u2011solving, with a service\u2011oriented approach to communities and stakeholders.
\nCultural competence and gender sensitivity; commitment to inclusion of women, youth and vulnerable groups.<\/p>\n
Safeguarding & Ethics
\nAfrican Parks maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, child labour and all forms of discrimination. All staff must comply with AP policies, codes of conduct and reporting obligations, and complete mandatory trainings.
\nSharing is Caring! Click on the Icons Below and Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_promoted":"","_job_location":"","_application":"https:\/\/africanparksjobs.mcidirecthire.com\/Vacancy\/ViewDetails?parameters=q4%2f37VDQTFWXnK7wNIeCPZZ5RQX6x%2fWFWkFoNG40pLcX1Fjbi%2buRMZSjB6Dr8aBBVxDyLZCYD0MCQk8z7niwjhuuS%2bbKvHKQDYxKNLq%2fyiKAYItuLrjPOXygiBjb8cgUVUPWvrugKSKEO72oQo1GCSUkKWugIhms6yAE53Q4FSM%3d","_company_name":"African Parks (AP)","_company_website":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_filled":0,"_featured":0,"_remote_position":0,"_job_salary":"","_job_salary_currency":"","_job_salary_unit":""},"job_listing_region":[11],"job-types":[12],"class_list":["post-7087","job_listing","type-job_listing","status-expired","hentry","job_listing_region-zambia","job-type-full-time"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings\/7087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_region?post=7087"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/zambia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-types?post=7087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}