Safeguards Manager

ORGANISATION : African Parks Network – Ethiopia

LOCATION : Gambella National Park

REPORTING TO : Park Manager

EXPECTED START DATE: As Soon As Possible

BACKGROUND:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Gambella National Park was established as a protected area in 1973 and is 4,575 km² in size. It forms the northern anchor of a much larger contiguous system, with a network of protected areas in southern Ethiopia and neighboring South Sudan. The park hosts several wildlife species including an important population of Nile Lechwe, Ethiopia’s largest population of elephant, healthy lion populations, one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world and a shoebill population. Gambella also forms part of the white-eared kob migration between South Sudan and Ethiopia – the largest land mammal migration on earth comprising around 6 million animals.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The objective of the Safeguards Manager is to ensure and support the implementation of APN’s Safeguards program and policies in Gambella National Park to prevent potential abuses, effectively manage and mitigate risks, and ensure a peaceful, safe, and respectful environment where human lives are valued.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducting specific Gambella based research, data collection, analysis, monitoring, fact- finding and documentation of information pertaining to the Safeguards arena;
• Proactively identifying Safeguards implications from the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) and develop consistent and adaptable plans with Park Management to address them in line with APN guidelines and policies, national and international laws standards and methodologies on safeguards;
• Providing technical assistance for the implementation at community level conflict prevention and resolution framework including a Community based grievance mechanism.
• Training and development of a grievance mechanism for Gambella NP Staff.
• Working closely with Park Management on the review and resolution of complaints and ensuring management follows up and does their due diligence regarding complaints at the local level;
• Ensure that there is an appropriate FPIC process with community engagement;
• proactive safeguards monitoring: relying on independent internal and/or external safeguards expertise through conflict management audits and consultations, surveys, field visits etc. in collaboration with Park Management, and making certain that the park follows recommendations,
• Ensuring and participating in the implementation of a safeguards training program for rangers based on in-depth understanding of safeguards during arrests, with a particular focus on the thematic areas of inclusive conservation, anti-corruption and gender;
• Work with Park’s Management for developing and applying a disciplinary framework for rangers including training to ensure rangers are fully capacitated;
• Ensure that identified safeguards internal and external reporting are properly written, with relevant and appropriate indicators;
• Ensure adequate first aid material and training for Gambella NP staff;
• Develop and implement with Regional Gambella Government a park area early warning Community Awareness program;

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Academic & experience required

Education:

• Minimum of an MSc degree in political science, international relations and development, law, or related social science fields with strong proven experience in the field.

Experience:

• At least 8 years’ experience working in related positions and 5 years’ experience working in senior positions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of, and exposure to, a range of safeguards and humanitarian issues
• Demonstrated ability to address issues specific to Gambella Region.
• Strong analytical, research, fact-finding, monitoring, reporting, communication and advocacy skills. Good legal background and knowledge of institutional mandates of safeguards organizations, prevailing policies, principles and procedures.
• Good ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Results-driven with a strong capacity to work autonomously
• High adaptability and capacity to work in Gambella region with local travel into the field.
• Strong personal integrity and dependability