JOB OFFER

     Social Safeguards Officer, MDNP- Cameroon

Location:       Mbakaou, Cameroon

Start date:     July 2024

Duration:       2 years (renewable)

Report To:       Project Director and Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator.

Field Mobility: 60%

MDNP Overview:

Created in 2000, MDNP covers about 4,200 sq km of the transition zone between the dense humid forest of the south and the drier savannas of the north. Since 2003, WCS has been working alongside the Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) providing technical and financial assistance for Park management and wildlife protection. We have been successful in establishing the Park, building the capacity of park personnel, developing basic protected area infrastructure, implementing law enforcement operations, raising awareness and conservation cooperation with local stakeholders, and promoting environmentally sound income generating activities.

Despite significant achievements, the area is currently facing increasing and expanding threats both to its wildlife and the physical park integrity.

In 2024, WCS has benefited of significant financial support from USFWS for a project aiming to strengthen the park’s capacity for wildlife conservation and enhance its role in the sustainable management of natural resources. Regarding the prevention, monitoring and mitigating of potential negative impacts that could result from the implementation of the project, especially those that concern the local communities and other stakeholders, WCS is planning to recruit a Senior Social Safeguards Officer to ensure an effective and efficient implementation of its social safeguards policies and practice.

Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to oversee the successful implementation and management of WCS’s Social Safeguards mechanisms and policies in Mbam & Djerem Park landscape. The Senior Social Safeguards Officer (the Manager) will provide general social safeguards support in all operations in Mbam Djerem National Park Landscape (MDNPL), to ensure effective programming in this landscape, especially as it relates to engagement with and safeguarding of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP & LCs).  A primary responsibility for the Officer will be the oversight and management of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the landscape while ensuring proper training and mentoring of GRM focal points nominated. 

The Officer will report to the Project Director/Deputy Project Director and work closely with other core competences of the landscape. He/she will also work technically with the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator (based in Kigali).

The Officer will be based at WCS project field office- Mbakaou (Tibati), with frequent visits to sites (Yoko, Doume-Yoko, Gairie, Mbitom-Gar etc) Candidates will need to clearly demonstrate they have the necessary experience, skills, and mindset with which to operate effectively in this complex environment. 

Generic and Specific Responsibilities:

For the GRM:

The Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is a first-of-its-kind system for protected areas in the Landscapes designed to understand, manage, monitor, and mitigate concerns and conflicts within the community related to activities conducted by the MDNP Landscape and its partners. Working with the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator and the site-based safeguards focal points, the Officer will:

●      Support, as needed, in the initial pilot phases of the GRM in all landscape and adapt specifically the GRM based on lessons learned for each site and ensure quality control, operational oversight and carryout the field-based roll-out.

●      Work closely with the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator to identify and train GRM staff on GRM procedures, and delegate GRM responsibilities appropriately.

●      Work with site based GRM leads to ensure timely feedback from the pilot phase to Landscape Directors, the Cameroon Country Deputy/Director, the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator, and all GRM implementation partners.

●      Ensure extensive coordination with partners internal and external regarding GRM implementation throughout the MDNP Landscape.

●      Provide operational oversight (including workplans and quality control) of the field implementation team for the GRM.

●      Ensureregular and timely reporting and coordination on the GRM to the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator, Landscape Director, the Community Conservation Teams, and concern stakeholders.

●      Hold quarterly Pause & Reflect sessions with GRM focal points for the MDNP landscapes, and the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator, to discuss and plan for adaptations or improvements of the GRM systems.

●      Record, report and disseminate lessons learned from the roll out of the GRM in the NPMD landscapes, and contribute to donor reports regarding GRM and other safeguards initiatives.

●      Monitor at the best extent possible how the GRM implementation influences the perception of communities on the Landscape activities and also how the feedback from communities informs the development of the Landscape activities for the benefit of communities.

●      Work with the Cameroon Deputy/Country Director to ensure regular feedback of the GRM implementation progress in those sites to inform the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) to influence positively the national GRM framework.

●      Manage and monitor the GRM database, ensuring that all submissions are properly documented and tracked in a timely way.

 On Broader Social Safeguards matters:

●      Support relevant aspects of implementation of all WCS Social Safeguards policies and procedures amongst field staff and partners – especially as it relates to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

●      Ensure WCS Social Safeguards policies align with the MINFOF’s commitments towards safeguarding IP & LC rights.

●      When necessary for project implementation, support the field teams in implementing a thorough Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, and ensure proper documentation of the FPIC process.

●      Support the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator and the MDNP Director in the development of an Early Warning System adapted to each landscape.

●      Work with Landscape Director to develop strategies on conflict mitigation.

●      Work with the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator to ensure field teams are abiding by WCS’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and submitting IRB applications when appropriate.

●      Support the Community Conservation Teams in conducting socio-economic surveys and assessments and ensure ethical data collection processes.

●      With the Regional Safeguards Coordinator, design indicators to monitor the effectiveness of social safeguards mechanisms MDNPL.

●      Conduct regular training on social safeguards for WCS staff and partners and work with the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator to develop modules for these trainings.

●      Assist the Cameroon program to ensure that the best international standards are applied to our activities, in line with donor requirements regarding social safeguards.

●      Attend meetings with local government authorities and NGO partners to represent MDNP landscape on Social Safeguards matters upon authorization from management.

●      Support in project proposal writings.

●      Work any other assigned tasks by management.

Requirements and qualifications.

●      Post graduate qualification in social sciences (International Development Studies, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Human Geography, Conflict resolution, Human Rights Law, Natural Resource Management and or any equivalent certificate or diploma)

●      Demonstrate experience in conflict management Resolution.

●      At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring programs/projects especially as it relates to social safeguards and/or the social protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

●      Have a team management experience.

●      Experiences in writing proposal and concept notes.

●      Demonstrated experience working with marginalized and vulnerable groups.

●      Fluency in French, and English language skills (written and oral) highly preferred.

●      Willingness to live in a remote site, , with basic amenities in a multi-cultural environment.

●      Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and proven ability to work as a team player.

●      Results-driven work ethic 

Dedication to wildlife and conservation issues, with experience of protected area operations is a distinct advantage.

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience, should apply and send their CV and Cover Letter through rhrecruitment@wcs.org by copying  ngedeonngaombawah@wcs.org before  July 12^th ,2024.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.