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JOB SUMMARY

The Community Engagement Officer is vital in driving impactful community conservation initiatives and engaging actively with community groups. This role focuses on facilitating collaboration, empowering stakeholders, and promoting sustainable natural resource and conservation practices.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

WCS is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895, dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places through science-based solutions and conservation actions. With over a century of experience and a global presence in more than 60 nations, WCS has played a pivotal role in establishing over 150 protected areas worldwide. Leveraging biological knowledge and fostering partnerships, the WCS office officially registered in the capital Ulaanbaatar in 2003. Over the past twenty years, WCS Mongolia has implemented activities addressing wildlife health, trade, animal movements, community engagement, and building awareness of and support for protected areas. Through the Mongolia Program, collaboration with governments, communities, NGOs, and industries is prioritized to maintain biodiversity, promote landscape connectivity, and contribute to sustainable resource management. The program's activities encompass wildlife research, protected area and community support, wildlife law development and enforcement, and sustainable infrastructure development.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with existing community groups and support the establishment of new ones to implement sustainable natural resource management and conservation initiatives using participatory approaches.
• Actively engage local communities in rehabilitation projects, biodiversity conservation, and protected area management to foster a sense of ownership.
• Identify and promote biodiversity conservation practices that enhance economic resilience and empower community livelihoods.
• Provide training for community groups on sustainable resource use, land management, and biodiversity conservation. Organize workshops that encourage participatory decision-making among community members.
• Support the development of participatory business models and sustainable finance plans for community groups.
• Promote sustainable natural resource management that respects human rights and enhances the livelihoods of local communities by ensuring their active participation in conservation efforts and decision-making processes.
• Promote gender mainstreaming by integrating gender considerations into all project activities, ensuring that the different roles, needs, and contributions of women and men are recognized and addressed.
• Contribute technical insights to inform policy development related to biodiversity at various governance levels.
• Document community engagement activities for reporting and knowledge sharing, capturing best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of a monitoring framework to assess the impact of community conservation projects.
• Represent the project at community workshops and events, ensuring effective communication of project goals.
• Assist other WCS Mongolia program priorities as needed to advance overall governance for conservation in key areas.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor or Master's degree in rural development, environmental management, natural resource management, or a related field.
• degree in rural development, environmental management, natural resource management, or a related field.
• 5 or more years of experience in project coordination focused on community development, preferably within the non-profit or environmental sector.
• Strong understanding of Mongolia’s protected area management system and relevant laws regarding community natural resource groups.
• A solid understanding of gender equality and gender mainstreaming principles is important; prior experience in implementing these concepts and promoting women's participation in community initiatives is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and work independently or as part of a team.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and coordination skills, with a solid understanding of natural resource management, wildlife conservation, and pastoral communities.
• Experience in organizing community workshops and focus groups.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with local communities, herder groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in dynamic and challenging environments, particularly in remote areas.
• Willingness to travel to remote locations for direct engagement with local communities and stay for periods as needed.

Language Proficiency:

• Proficient in spoken and written Mongolian and English.

Personal Attributes:

• Positive attitude towards challenges with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to collaborate effectively with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.   

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit your CV with a one-page cover letter, diploma copy explaining your interest in and suitability for this position;
• The subject line of your email submission with “Application – Community Engagement Officer” and interested applicants should submit the following btsolmon@wcs.org email address;
• Applications should be sent on or before 5:00pm 25^th October, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted;
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program

201 San Business Center, Amar Street-29, Small ring road, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia. Tel: +976-11-323719