Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer at Frankfurt Zoological Society

Frankfurt Zoological Society
Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Programme

Job Profile

Name of the position: Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer

FZS Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Programme

Position in the organization

• The Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer reports to the FZS Serengeti Project GIS and Monitoring Officer and from there to the FZS-Serengeti Programme Manager.
• The Human-Wildlife Conflict Field Officer will work together with Serengeti District Council – (Game Officers), FZS SEMA project staff, community leaders, village human wildlife conflict monitors (HWCM), village elephant task force team (Vikosi Kazi), and other project stakeholders to mitigate HWC incidences in the project villages in accordance with the donor project plan and log frame.

Purpose of the job

FZS mission:

We conserve wildlife and ecosystems focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places

FZS Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Programme among others it aims :

To empower local communities in the Serengeti Ecosystem to engage in the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources and adopt conservation-compatible livelihoods

As part of our growing conservation efforts within the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, FZS is looking for a candidate to fill an important role in coordinating HWC initiatives with the Serengeti District Council, Ikona Wildlife Management Area (Ikona WMA), Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) and other related partners in mounting their response to human-wildlife conflict in Serengeti District. The role would suit a candidate with a first degree in wildlife management and at least one year of similar experience in this field of HWC mitigations or problem animal control strategies.

Job Background

• FZS – Serengeti Ecosystem Conservation Project is implementing a project entitled “Enhancing human elephant co-existence in Serengeti District”
• This project will strengthen the Human-Wildlife Conflict monitoring and response system in 22 villages in Serengeti district to reduce the incidences of Human wildlife conflict
• FZS will be delivering this support in conjunction with Serengeti District Council, which is responsible for managing human-wildlife conflict in the district.

Main Outputs

Specific Duties:

• To support the District Game Officer (DGO) and local community to timely respond to WHC incidences in 22 project villages.
• To manage and supervise the use of the FZS vehicle dedicated for HWC mitigation.
• To support the establishment and training of community elephant task force teams.
• To work in collaboration with the District Game Officer (DGO) to provide training and
  capacity to HWCM and the community elephant task force team members on the proper use of HWC tools, methods, and approaches (jointly known as HWC toolkits).
• To advise communities on how to support Human-Wildlife Conflict Monitors (HWCM) and the village elephant task force teams.
•  To advise on developing innovative HWC mitigation strategies for community-based HWC mitigation schemes
• To promote environmentally friendly income-generating activities among HWCM and village elephant task force teams including promoting membership of the microfinance program of Community Conservation Banks (COCOBA)
• To conduct monitoring field visits frequently with the wider FZS and DGO Office project team for all human-wildlife conflict activities in the project villages
• To ensure that quality data on HWC incidents is collected on a weekly basis by HWCM as required by the DGO office.
• To support in organizing and deliver training and workshops for different target groups to raise awareness on solutions towards HWC
• To monitor and manage the distribution of the HWC toolkits in each project village
• To carry out HWC toolkit maintenance and provide advice to HWCM and the village elephant task force teams on the care of these toolkits.
• To attend and participate in relevant village meetings in the project area. • To support in writing regular and timely field Activity Reports (AR)
• To maintain relationships between project partners and community in project villages. • To perform any other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from a government recognized institution.
• In-depth understanding of human-wildlife conflict
• At least 1 year of working experience on HWC related issues.
• Basic computer skills in using Microsoft package and email programs
• Conversant in the use of mobile applications to collect field data
• Basic GIS skills will be an added advantage.
• Valid driver’s license, ability to drive manual vehicles/cars and motorcycles on off-road terrain.
• The ability to work under remote field conditions and circumstances.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Work systematically: Structuring one’s work in an orderly and transparent manner; carrying it out with an eye for detail and accuracy.
•  Integrity: Maintaining high ethical standards both personally and professionally: being incorruptible.
• Sensitivity: Showing consideration, concern and respect for other people’s attitudes, feelings, or circumstances and being aware of the influence of one’s own behaviour on them.
• Negotiating: Obtaining maximum results in situations of different interests so that all parties accept and agree and the relationship is not damaged.
• Teamwork: Cooperating and working effectively to achieve a shared goal – even when the topic involved does not directly serve one’s interests.

Terms

• A fixed salary will be offered to a successful candidate depending on qualifications and experience
• The position is based in Serengeti district with frequent visits to the field.

Additional benefits include;

• Basic housing, medical insurance and 30 days paid leave per annum.
• This is a fixed contract of 12 months.

Mode of application:

Candidates should submit a letter of intent describing how they qualify for this position, a CV, and two referees including contact phone numbers, and email addresses at their earliest convenience.

Deadline: December 20th, 2022.

Submit your application to FZS at: [email protected]

Only qualifying shortlisted candidates will be contacted.