Human-Wildlife Coexistence Specialist

Libreville, Gabon

We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our  or on .  

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

Since establishing the Africa Program in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities across 55 million acres on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with governments and organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the nine countries where we operate.

In Gabon, The Nature Conservancy is working collaboratively in support of the country’s ambitious biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation agenda. TNC works across freshwater, ocean and terrestrial ecosystems to protect and sustainable manage critical habitats for species, ecosystems, and carbon stocks. TNC brings science and innovative tools and approaches to inform better decision-making, develops innovative financial mechanisms for long-term sustainability, cultivates strategic partnership and fosters the needs for inclusive, equitable conservation that benefits nature and people.

The Human-Wildlife Coexistence Specialist will contribute to a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project addressing human-wildlife conflict (HWC) as an outstanding barrier to conservation activities and protected area (PA) management in Gabon. The project will support key stakeholder groups to develop and apply a national strategy and activities to reduce HWC and improve human well-being outcomes through improved wildlife and protected areas planning and management in and around target Gabonese protected areas. The Specialist will support effective and comprehensive delivery of all project objectives and activities relevant to HWC and community engagement. Core role functions will be to serve as a technical resource on issues related to HWC as well as to support relationships and foster communication with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) affected by HWC.

The position will be based on TNC’s Gabon office and will report to the Gabon PFP Stakeholder and Community Engagement Specialist. This position is full-time and will involve frequent day and overnight travel to field sites and communities. This position is not eligible for relocation or immigration assistance.

Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is a passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

Role Scope and Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day support, monitoring and evaluation of project activities and results as outlined in the ProDoc, Grant Agreement, and Annual Work Plan and Budget to achieve the project objective and targets in the Results Framework
• Provide technical expertise and support to TNC, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and project partners on research, approaches, and practices to management and prevention of HWC, including engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC)
• Refer to latest conservation science and best practices to advise and support facilitation of development and execution of the Government of Gabon’s national policy to combat HWC.
• Working collaboratively with the Community Engagement and Social Inclusion Officer, contribute to regular community and IPLC outreach in and around conserved areas through virtual and in-person methods for the purpose of establishing rapport and feedback loops as well as soliciting and documenting existing IPLC-led methods to reduce HWC.
• Coordinate with government, community association/NGO, and other project partner representatives for effective information-sharing, feedback loops, and completion of project activities
• Participate in regular field visits to all project sites to monitor implementation of activities and support adaptive management approaches as needed.
• Support development and implementation of public awareness campaign targeting Gabonese residents impacted by HWC, particularly IPLCs, including cross-department communication.
• Collaboratively represent TNC to private/public sector stakeholders
• Collaboratively liaise with stakeholders to ensure effective representation of IPLC-led HWC strategies.
• Contribute to integration of HWC management into to PFP and trust fund governing instruments and fund administration.
• Support and assist the M&E and learning officer(s) in properly monitoring and taking into consideration the human-wildlife and community engagement plan to measure progress and impact. 
• Contribute to or assist with preparation of semi-annual reports to GEF agency partner and project funder.
• Ensure the learning, lessons, challenges and successes on HWC and community engagement in the project are recorded, support analysis and distribution with all project stakeholders.
• Consults colleagues and management to resolve issues within program area.
• Work independently without requiring detailed management review of general work.

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years’ technical working experience in human-wildlife coexistence, community conservation, or related conservation field and/or research experience, or equivalent combined years of experience of education and work experience
• Experience with current trends in human-wildlife conflict and coexistence.
• Experience participating in and leading components of complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience using Microsoft Suite tools.
• Experience making informed decisions based on analysis, consultation with others, experience, and judgment.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication in French.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with GEF projects and/or other public entity-funded projects
• Experience in contributing to technical and financial reporting to donor agencies.
• Ability to manipulate, analyze, and interpret data.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated. Working proficiency in English desirable
• Familiarity and/or demonstrated experience working with Global Climate Facility (GCF) safeguarding requirements.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world! 

TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our on nature.org/careers. 

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

To apply for job ID 55338, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at . Need help applying? Visit our page or contact .

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.