Resident Wetlands Community Facilitator (RWCF)

Introduction

Wetlands International is a global, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. Wetlands International is seeking highly motivated and experienced Resident Wetlands Community Facilitators(RWCFs) to be based directly within within spefified sites and serve as the primary on-site link for the Management Plan Preparation and Restoration of selected wetlands stated below. This specific project stream is implemented by Wetlands International under a contract with the Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC). RWCFs will be recruited for the following specific wetland sites. Candidates must be willing to live and work full-time on-site or in the closest accessible town to their assigned wetland.

Job Description

• Position: Resident Wetlands Community Facilitator (RWCF) Department: Programmes/BRIGHT project
• Supervised By: Project Team Leader
• Duration: One year depending on the continuation of BRIGHT project Supervises: None
• Start date: As soon as possible Salary: Negotiable
• Location: Ardibo, Cheleleka/Sheshe, Borumeda, Chirity, Abaya Chokare, Tufa, and Burji Kelale, Ada’a Chukala (See table above for Region/Woreda), Ethiopia

Key Responsibilities

The RWCF is the essential bridge between the project team, local government, and the community. Key responsibilities include:

Community Mobilization and Engagement:

• Act as the primary point of contact for local communities, Kebele/Woreda officials, and traditional leaders at the assigned wetland site.
• Organize and facilitate participatory community meetings, training sessions, focus group discussions, and awareness-raising events to ensure broad participation in all project phases.
• Support the technical team during field assessments (ecological, hydrological, socio-economic) by mobilizing community members and key informants.
• Ensure equitable participation of marginalized groups, including women and youth, in project activities
• Deliverable: Monthly activity reports detailing community meetings held and participants engaged. These reports will feed into major project deliverables, such as the Detailed characterization of wetland assessment Report (due by November 2025).
• Support to Local Governance and Planning:
• Facilitate the establishment or strengthening of the Local Wetland Management Committee at the site level (Task D.5)
• Assist the committee in developing its internal governance, roles, responsibilities, and local bylaws for wetland management.
• Work jointly with the assigned Woreda Focal Person to ensure seamless coordination with local administrative bodies and integration of project activities into local plans.
• Deliverable: A functional Local Wetland Management Committee with endorsed local bylaws. This contributes to the Final Integrated Management Plan (due by February 2026).

Facilitation of Restoration and Livelihood Activities:

• Oversee and provide on-site technical support for the implementation of community-level restoration activities (e.g., enclosure, soil and water conservation).
• Lead the mobilization of community labor for on-the-ground restoration works (Task C.2), such as planting, nursery management, and construction of soil/water conservation structures.
• Support the roll-out of sustainable livelihood activities (e.g., beekeeping, ecotourism) by identifying interested households and groups
  Distribute necessary tools and inputs for restoration and livelihood activities and ensure their proper use.
• Highly promot and coordinate the use of local labor and resources, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Deliverable: A mobilized community workforce and reports on restoration activities, which will be a key input for the Restoration Progress and Mid-term Review Report (due by December 2026).
• Local-Level Monitoring and Reporting:
• Conduct regular monitoring of restoration sites to track progress (e.g., seedling survival rates, fence integrity).
• Assist the M&E Officer in collecting field-level data from community monitors and households.
• Provide timely updates and reports to the project team on progress, challenges, and potential conflicts at the site level.
• Facilitate joint planning and monitoring visits involving local authorities and the central project team
• Collect socio-economic and ecological baseline data and contribute to the M&E system.
• Conduct routine monitoring of project activities and report progress, challenges, and risks to the Project Team Leader in a timely manner.
• Document lessons learned, case studies, and success stories from the community.
• Work closely with multi-discipline team of the project
• Deliverable: Regular field monitoring reports with photographic evidence, providing raw data for all major M&E reports throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be measured by the successful achievement of the following indicators for the assigned wetland site:

• Community Engagement: At least 80% of identified local user groups are represented in project meetings and activities.
• LWMC Functionality: 100% of Local Wetland Management Committees (LWMCs) are established/strengthened, trained, and holding scheduled quarterly meetings.
• Restoration Target: Achieved restoration targets (e.g., hydrological, habitata restoration,area enclosed, number of conservation structures built) as defined in the annual work plan.
• Livelihood Adoption: Minimum of 70% of planned households adopt targeted sustainable livelihood practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement: 100% of required local coordination meetings (with Woreda/BAO/Kebele officials) are held and documented.
• Reporting Timeliness: 100% of monthly progress reports and field monitoring reports are submitted accurately and on time.
• Restoration Participation: Mobilize and document community labor contribution equivalent to the targets set in the restoration plan.
• Conflict Resolution: No major community-level conflicts related to the project remain unresolved for more than one month.
• Reporting: 100% of monthly field activity reports are submitted on time to the Team Leader

Qualification, Experience & Skills

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Integrated Water Resources management, Watershed management, Soil and water conservation, Environmental Science, or a related field.

Relevant Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience working directly with rural communities, preferably on wetlands management, protection and restoration, natural resource management, watershed management, or community-based conservation projects.
• Demonstrated experience in participatory approaches, community facilitation, and mobilization.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with local government and other local stakeholders, including NGOs and community groups.
• Prior experience with INGO
• Commitment to Wetlands International’s mission, value and ways of working.

Essential Competencies & Skills Competency Area

Essential Skills/Attributes

• Community Relations
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), active listening, conflict resolution, and cultural sensitivity.

Technical/Ecological Basic understanding of wetland ecology, hydrology, soil and water conservation techniques, and sustainable livelihood concepts.

• Planning & Execution

Reporting & M&E
Ability to translate work plans into daily field activities, manage local logistics, and coordinate local labor effectively.

Proficiency in basic data collection (field surveys, forms), accurate record-keeping, and timely progress reporting. computer skills, especially Word, Excel, Email and internet packages. Proficient in using office applications (MS Word/Excel/Powerpoint) and other web-based management systems.

Language Must be Fluent in the local language(s) relevant to the assigned duty station is mandatory.

Attitude High level of commitment to living and working in a rural, remote setting; self- motivated and proactive.