Community Development Facilitator

Job description

Description
Job Title: Community Development Facilitator- Bangweulu Wetlands Zambia
Location: Chitambo
Reports To: Senior Community Development Facilitator
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract Duration: 2 years
Start Date: 1st October 2025

Background

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Position Summary
The Community Development Facilitator (CDF) will play a key role in supporting the grassroots implementation of community development programs within the operational area of Bangweulu wetlands. Working closely with local communities, the CDF will facilitate programs related to community engagement, sustainable enterprises, environmental education, and scholarship support. The position aims to strengthen community participation and promote sustainable livelihoods that align with conservation goals.

The Community Development Facilitator reports to the Senior Community Development Facilitator and performs other duties as assigned by supervisor, Community Development Specialists and Manager.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement and Mobilization

Community mobilisation and coordination for various program activities
Conduct regular community engagement and dialogues meetings with community groups, youths, local leaders, CRBs and VAGs.
Sensitise communities on  organisation’s mandate,  goals & objective and promote project  interventions and programs.
Awareness raising on conservation & natural resource management, Human Wildlife Conflict & mitigation measures and grievance mechanism, and get community input.
Foster strong relationships with traditional & local civic leaders, community groups and stakeholders.
Support the organization of community events, trainings, and workshops.
Mobilize local groups (community groups, youths, local leaders, CRBs and VAGs)  to participate in planning and implementation. Livelihoods and Enterprise Support
Assist in the identification and promotion of community-based enterprises that support environmentally friendly and profitable livelihoods.
Facilitate training and capacity building for community groups engaged in income-generating activities.
Monitor and report on enterprise development progress and challenges.
Facilitate extension services and technical backstopping for enterprise groups

Education and Youth Programs

Support the delivery of environmental education activities in schools and communities.
Assist in identifying and following up with beneficiaries of the college scholarship program.
Coordinate logistics for education events, mentorship sessions, and school visits.
Support implementation of Sexual and reproductive health activities

Data Collection and Reporting

Collect and document community feedback, success stories, lessons learnt, best practices and program outcomes based on
Maintain accurate records of meetings, activities, and beneficiary data.
Log all activities in the Survey123 platform
Submit timely field reports to supervisors as per reporting periods(monthly, quarterly).

Collaboration and Communication

Work closely with the broader community development team to ensure coordinated implementation of activities.
Represent the project respectfully in community spaces and act as a liaison between the project and local community.

Safeguards

Implementation of grievance and redress mechanism, working closely with the Safeguards Specialist.

Qualifications and Experience

Diploma or Degree in Community Development, Social Work, Education, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in community-based development or conservation projects.
Familiarity with participatory approaches to community and rural development.
Good facilitation, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Ability to ride a motorcycle and willingness to reside in a rural community of operation
Fluency in English and Bemba
Basic computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, email).

Desirable Attributes

Passion for conservation and community empowerment.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Respectful, culturally sensitive and committed to inclusion.
Experience working with youth, women’s groups, or small-scale entrepreneurs is an advantage.
Innovative and results-oriented

Code of Conduct

Adherence to the organization’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies.