Background

African Parks is a nonprofit conservation organisation that manages protected areas in partnership with governments and communities across Africa, with a strong commitment to human rights and safeguards, including transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse. Bangweulu Wetlands is a community-owned protected area in north‑eastern Zambia managed jointly by African Parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and six Community Resource Boards (CRBs). Covering roughly 6,000 km² of floodplains, swamps and woodlands, it sustains unique biodiversity such as the endemic black lechwe and the vulnerable shoebill, while supporting approximately 60,000 local residents whose livelihoods depend on the wetland.

Purpose of the Role

The Safeguards Specialist (SS) supports the Community Development Manager and works closely with the Regional Safeguards Manager and park teams to implement African Parks’ Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and human rights commitments in Bangweulu. The SS ensures that risks are identified and mitigated, GRM pathways function effectively, and that park planning and operations align with national law and international good practice.

Reporting

The safeguards Specialist (SS) will report to the Community Development Manager with a dotted line to the  Regional Safeguards Manager Southern Region at Part level.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. 1) Safeguards System & Compliance
   • Implement African Parks’ safeguards policies and procedures at park level (human rights, zero‑tolerance for SEA/SH, labour rights, transparency and accountability).
   • Operationalise the park Environmental & Social Management System (ESMS): screening, categorisation, risk registers, and the preparation/quality review of instruments (e.g., ESMPs, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Livelihood Restoration Plans, SEA/SH Action Plans).
   • Ensure compliance with Zambian environmental and social regulations (Environmental Management Act and ZEMA EIA procedures) and AP’s donor safeguards requirements.
   • Project Cycle Support
   • Provide safeguards inputs into project concepts, TORs and budgets; guide preparation and disclosure of ESIA/ESMPs and other plans.
   • Support incorporation of safeguards measures into procurement, construction, fisheries management, law enforcement, tourism and community projects; track contractor compliance.
   • Community Engagement & Grievance Redress
   • Strengthen and manage accessible, transparent Grievance and Redress Mechanisms (GRM) at community and park levels, ensuring safe, survivor‑centred pathways for sensitive cases (including SEA/SH).
   • Facilitate meaningful, inclusive consultations with communities (CRBs, VAGs, traditional leaders, women, youth, persons with disabilities) and document engagement and consent processes consistent with rights‑based conservation.
   • Coordinate with government, civil society and partners to resolve grievances and monitor commitments.
   • Capacity Building & Culture
   • Plan and deliver training and refreshers for rangers, community staff and contractors on human rights in law enforcement, conflict sensitivity, GBV/SEA/SH prevention, and stakeholder engagement.
   • Mentor park focal points to mainstream safeguards in daily operations and data management.
   • Monitoring, Reporting & Learning
   • Lead safeguards monitoring (site visits, audits, compliance checklists), maintain risk and incident logs, and track implementation of mitigation measures.
   • Prepare high‑quality internal reports and donor updates; contribute safeguards sections to park plans and annual reports.
   • Support internal inquiries or fact‑finding where alleged misconduct or rights concerns are reported, ensuring due process and ethical standards.
   
    Coordination & Representation

• Liaise with CRBs, DNPW, local authorities, NGOs and development partners on safeguards matters.
• Contribute to cross‑park learning and continuous improvement of African Parks safeguards practice.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental or natural resources management, social sciences, human rights, international development, anthropology, conservation policy) with law as an added advantage.
• Minimum 4–6 years of progressively responsible experience applying environmental and social safeguards and rights‑based approaches in conservation or development, including field work in remote settings.
• Practical knowledge of ESIA/ESMP processes, stakeholder engagement, and grievance mechanisms; familiarity with international safeguards frameworks (e.g., IFC Performance Standards/IUCN ESMS) and donor requirements.
• Understanding of Zambia’s Environmental Management Act and ZEMA EIA procedures; experience working with government counterparts and community structures (CRBs/VAGs) is an advantage.
• Training facilitation skills and the ability to build capacity of diverse teams (rangers, contractors, community monitors).
• Strong analytical, writing and data skills; ability to meet deadlines and operate with independence under pressure.
• Must be ready to stay in Bangweulu wetlands HQ.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in at least one local language used in Bangweulu is an advantage.