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Position title:	Community Engagement and Natural Resource Governance Expert
Reports to:	Lead Technical Advisor, WCS Mongolia
Country Program/Sector:	WCS Mongolia
Location:	Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (with frequent travel to project sites)
Position type:	Full-time

 

 

 

 

 

WCS ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

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 the 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 vulnerable rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.

WCS MONGOLIA PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Established in Ulaanbaatar in 2003, WCS Mongolia has dedicated over two decades to the conservation of Mongolia’s rich wildlife and expansive landscapes. The organization focuses on science-driven, landscape-level conservation, with key efforts in the Southern Gobi and Eastern Steppe, alongside emerging initiatives in Central Mongolia. In addition to regional projects, WCS Mongolia engages in national-level conservation efforts, collaborating with governments, communities, NGOs, and industries to promote biodiversity preservation, landscape connectivity, and sustainable resource management. In 2024, WCS Mongolia launched a five-year strategy focused on three key pillars: enhancing ecological function, strengthening landscape connectivity, and building resilience to climate change. These pillars guide the organization’s work, with the overarching vision of ensuring Mongolia’s ecological integrity for future generations.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The GEF-funded project "Rehabilitating and conserving the mountain landscapes in the Khangai region of Mongolia for improved ecosystem services and community livelihoods" is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and executed by WCS Mongolia as the Operational Partner, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and other relevant government agencies. WCS Mongolia is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, ensuring technical implementation, operational oversight, and compliance with GEF and FAO policies and procedures, with the project scheduled to run from 2025 to 2030.

The project focuses on the Khangai region, a critical mountain landscape in Mongolia, with the goal of restoring ecosystems, enhancing ecosystem services like water and soil health, and improving the resilience of local communities through sustainable land management and climate adaptation strategies. It aims to improve livelihoods while addressing biodiversity conservation and the impacts of climate change.

The governance structure of the project includes a Project Steering Committee (PSC), which provides strategic guidance and approves work plans and budgets. FAO, as the GEF Implementing Agency, provides oversight and ensures the project adheres to GEF policies and technical, operational and financial standards. The Government of Mongolia plays a vital role in supporting policy alignment and facilitating implementation at both the national and local levels.

JOB SUMMARY:

Project title: Rehabilitating and conserving the mountain landscapes in the Khangai region of Mongolia for improved ecosystem services and community livelihoods

Implemention agency: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Execution agency: WCS Mongolia/Operational Partner

Government partner: the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC)

Funded by: Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Community Engagement and Natural Resource Governance Expert will be a key member of the WCS Khangai team, supporting the implementation of the project focused on community-based conservation and sustainable natural resource management. The Expert will lead and support all activities related to gender equality, community engagement, and social safeguards throughout the project, ensuring these are integrated and monitored in line with the project’s results framework and strategic targets. The Expert will lead efforts to strengthen community participation, inclusive decision-making, and sustainable livelihoods, including building the capacity of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) groups and promoting locally-led conservation practices. The Expert will also oversee the implementation and monitoring of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), Gender Action Plan (GAP), and Environmental and Social Risk Management Plan (ESMP). The role involves contributing to planning, adaptive management, cross-sector coordination, and knowledge sharing. The Specialist is expected to work closely with the broader WCS operation and program teams, as well as with FAO as Implementation agency, to ensure community engagement approaches are harmonized across landscapes and uphold the organizations’ high standards, while supporting monitoring of impacts aligned with the organizations’ and national strategic goals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Guide the project team in planning and implementing social safeguards and ensure integration of gender and social inclusion across all project components.
• Lead, in close collaboration with the Lead Technical Advisor and Knowledge Management and Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, the implementation and monitoring of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
• Ensure project staff understand gender mainstreaming principles and provide training to WCS staff and partners as needed.
• Oversee the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and ensure transparency and accountability through regular engagement with stakeholders.
• Deliver training and capacity building for community members, government staff, and stakeholders on integrated land management, CBNRM, gender mainstreaming, and incentive mechanisms.
• Facilitate identification and integration of sustainable incentive mechanisms (e.g., PES, user fees, livestock tax, carbon finance, tourism) to support community-based management and restoration.
• Coordinate with CBNRM groups and technical experts to implement climate-resilient natural resource management interventions such as forest thinning, pest monitoring, fire prevention, and biodiversity conservation.
• Support identification and implementation of gender-responsive natural resource management and sustainable livelihood practices.
• Support livelihood diversification among community members where appropriate by facilitating identification and promotion of alternative income-generating activities (such as agroforestry, fodder production, and haymaking) that respond to community priorities, local knowledge, and government guidance.
• Facilitate partnerships between communities and the private sector to improve market access, develop value chains, and support mutually beneficial collaboration.
• Coordinate with local governments, institutions, NGOs, and private sector actors to strengthen support for community engagement and restoration.
• Lead and support all gender, community engagement, and social safeguard activities aligned with the project’s results framework, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Contribute to M&E and adaptive management processes through surveys, focus groups, and participatory assessments.
• Support the Lead Technical Advisor in reporting progress to FAO and partners, and represent the project in relevant forums.
• Promote learning, cross-program collaboration, and technical mentoring within WCS Mongolia to strengthen institutional capacity and conservation outcomes.
• Ensure project implementation contributes to the organizations’ and Mongolia’s strategic priorities and fosters internal knowledge exchange and collaboration.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as Social and Environmental Assessment, Gender Studies, Community Development, Environmental Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in community engagement, participatory natural resource management, or related fields, preferably in Mongolia or similar contexts.
• Experience working with international donors or multilateral projects (e.g., GEF, FAO, UNDP) is an advantage.
• Proven experience supporting community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) groups, gender-responsive approaches, and social safeguards.
• Experience working with incentive mechanisms such as payments for ecosystem services (PES), user fees, taxes, or other sustainable financing schemes.

Technical Skills

• Experience carrying out participatory gender analysis, developing gender action plans, formulating gender-responsive indicators and sex-disaggregated data, and preparing gender-responsive project analysis.
• Experience designing or facilitating community-level training and capacity building.
• Strong understanding of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and other rights-based approaches.
• Strong analytical, writing, and report drafting skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, particularly in preparing written documents.

Additional Competencies

• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel to remote field sites.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) and Mongolian is essential.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit your 1) CV in English, 2) one-page cover letter in English explaining your interest in and suitability for this position, 3) Diploma copies, and 4) at least 2 reference letters provided by previous line managers, all in one pdf file;
• The subject line of your email submission with “Application – Community Engagement and Natural Resource Governance Expert” and interested applicants should submit the application to the  following email address: hrmongolia@wcs.org
• Applications should be sent on or before 5:00pm Friday, 15th of August 2025. 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