Social Safeguards Officer at Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)

Social Safeguards Officer at Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)

FZS Social Safeguards Officer for Tanzania

Title : Social Safeguards Officer

Position Holder Reports to 

Tanzania Country Director, under technical guidance FZS HQ Social Safeguards Coordinator.

Position’s Objective 

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) conserves wildlife and ecosystems focusing on biodiverse  protected areas. We aim to work with and for people to secure biodiversity in key ecosystems worldwide as the basis for all life and the livelihoods of present and future generations. FZS  maintains long-term conservation programs in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. 

In Tanzania, FZS works in the Serengeti and Great Mahale ecosystems, the Nyerere National  Park, and the Selous Game Reserve. 

FZS works in protected areas and community land by Protecting wildlife and promoting  sustainable development of the local communities go hand in hand. The Frankfurt Zoological  Society works with the people living in the ecosystem to become actively engaged in  conservation and find sustainable livelihood opportunities. As local people rely on natural  resources and ecosystem services, the program promotes alternative ways for communities  to earn an income and benefit from the area’s protection by creating incentives to conserve  the ecosystem. 

The Frankfurt Zoological Society works closely with our major partners including the Ministry  of Natural Resources and Tourism, the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Tanzania  National Parks, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), and Ngorongoro  Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). We also work with local Districts government authorities and local communities surrounding or overlapping protected areas. 

FZS recognizes that the conservation of biodiversity is hardly possible without involving local  communities endowed with rich conservation skills and strategies. Local communities in  Tanzania possess useful indigenous and local knowledge potential for rangeland and forest  management and biodiversity conservation. The coexistence of local communities with  complex ecosystems and diverse living species enabled them to gain experiences in biodiversity conservation. However, conservation initiatives can have considerable impacts on  local communities, chiefly due to the need to protect or acquire large areas of land. FZS is  concerned with managing challenging issues and processes to minimize impacts on  communities, mitigate any impacts that do occur, and, ideally, leave communities better off  through sustainable livelihood development and by supporting community initiatives. 

FZS adopts a set of human rights standards to influence policies and practices in those cases  where conservation actions negatively affect local people. Such standards include seeking to  ensure that government authorities with whom we partner when making land use decisions,  obtain free prior informed consent from all people denied access to land or resources and 

ensure that local people are provided with viable or equivalent access to land, resources, or  opportunities if they lose legitimate access. Local communities should be fully engaged in  the conservation process from decision making to implementation of targeted plans. This  empowers local communities and helps reduce bias and conflicts among conservation stakeholders. Indigenous and local knowledge should be mainstreamed into conservation  practices and education, with local communities empowered to diversify their livelihoods to reduce reliance on natural resources.

Role 

• This position will ensure that FZS implements systems and measures that safeguard the  economic, social, and cultural rights of local communities living in the landscapes and  ecosystems where we work. 
• This position will guide FZS in the field of social safeguards for land use planning and land  titling, community-managed forest areas, Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), sustainable  rangeland management, benefit-sharing mechanisms, human and wildlife conflicts, scout  patrolling and monitoring, Community Conservation Banks, and conservation initiatives that  restrict access to natural resources.
• This requires an in-depth understanding of the local contexts and their communities, including  the challenges, objectives, historical context, and potential risks including extensive travel to  the field. This position will be conversant with international best practices of human rights  and social safeguards in conservation, will serve as an advisor for field-based activities, and  provide guidance on program development and arising issues.
• It includes training and capacity building for FZS field staff, partners, and communities to  ensure oversight and adherence to human rights policies and standards, as determined by the  needs of the programs. The position should also help amplify local voices from the landscapes  and ecosystems regarding land rights.
• We offer a two-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance and  availability of funds, the position is expected to be based in Arusha with frequent travel to the  landscapes and ecosystems where FZS works.

Main Tasks 

a) Conduct risk assessments to identify the negative impacts of FZS activities on local  communities and adopt the required measures to prevent, mitigate, or remedy  them; 

b) Provide technical assistance and training to the FZS team and partners, including relevant government national and local authorities, and local communities;

c) Assisting in identifying technical experts needed to support local communities in  socioeconomic mapping and surveys, consultation processes, and information  sharing when conservation initiatives result in restriction of access to natural resources and other negative impacts on economic, social, and cultural rights;

d) Identifying social, economic, and cultural dynamics, including gender, and  relationships of power present in the local communities that might be taken into  consideration in livelihood development projects and community initiatives  supported by FZS;

e) Engage local communities in the design, implementation, and monitoring of FZS  conservation programs and initiatives that might impact them positively or  negatively; 

f) Engage with District Council Officers, Village Leaders and Officers, community  leaders, TANAPA and TAWA officers, and other relevant stakeholders in the design,  implementation, and monitoring of social safeguards required for joint conservation  initiatives that impact local communities; 

g) Develop Free, Prior, and Informed Consent Protocols for FZS engagement with local  communities in the design, implementation, and monitoring of its activities,  including land use planning and titling, management of human and wildlife conflicts,  scout patrolling and monitoring, forest and rangeland community management,  benefit-sharing mechanisms, Community Conservation Banks, and conservation  initiatives that restrict access to natural resources; 

h) Provide training to local communities on participatory mapping and in developing their FPIC protocols. 

i) Put grievance and feedback mechanisms in place for local communities and other  stakeholders to receive and address direct negative or potential impacts from FZS  programs or activities; 

j) Establishing an appropriate system for recording all FZS activities, including  engagement with local communities, and collecting and storing data; 

k) Develop relevant Standard Operational Procedures to guide FZS work with local  communities and partners for the implementation of social safeguards;

l) Drafting of position statements on relevant requests from FZS, donors, and media;

m) The job holder will liaise with the Country Director, Project Leaders, the HQ Social  Safeguards Coordinator, and the Communication Officer to help ensure a common  understanding of complex issues related to conservation and local communities’  rights; and 

n) Support partners with preparation of Code of Conduct for rangers/game  scouts/forest scouts where necessary.

Required Qualifications and Experience 

a) A Master’s or other advanced degree in law, social studies, anthropology, or similar.

b) More than five years of professional experience working in the field of community  and livelihood development, community and stakeholder engagement, and social  and environmental safeguards. 

c) Be familiar with existing environmental and social safeguards standards, human  rights norms, and local legislation and policies applicable to the local community and  livelihood development, stakeholder engagement, FPIC, IPLCs rights, Racial Equity,  Diversity, and Inclusion, etc. 

d) Excellent written and oral communication skills in Kiswahili and English.

e) Excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills with the ability to engage at all levels  including with local communities, local and national governments, international  stakeholders, and partners. 

f) Ability to conceptualize, design, and implement training at various levels, especially  for communities.

g) Team-oriented working style and ability to set goals and priorities effectively and  meet deadlines. 

h) High standard of integrity beyond question. Mediation and/or conflict resolution  skills are an advantage

Behavioural Values 

a) Integrity: Maintaining high ethical standards both personally and professionally and being incorruptible 

b) Sensitivity: Showing consideration, concern, and respect for other people’s attitudes,  feelings, or circumstances and being aware of the influence of one’s behavior on  them. 

c) Problem analysis: Pointing out problems, recognizing important information, and  tracing potential causes for problems. 

d) Coaching/developing others: Encouraging and guiding colleagues to make their  performance more effective and to enhance their self-perception and problem solving skills.

Application Process and Deadline 

Please send your electronic application documents a CV and a cover letter (as one single  PDF) and indicate your salary expectations and the earliest possible starting date to:  [email protected]  

Application deadline: 8th March 2024 at 16.00 hours 

Equal Opportunity Statement  

Frankfurt Zoological Society is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We  strongly believe in equal opportunities and encourage women to apply for this position.  Candidates will be selected on merit and qualifications for the role.