Pastoralism Focal Point

TERMS OF REFERENCE

RICC - REGIONAL INFORMATION COORDINATION CENTER
POSITION: Pastoralism Focal Point
ORGANISATION: African Parks Congo
LOCATION: Primarily Chinko; secondarily Garamba
REPORTING TO: R&D Director
EXPECTED START DATE:
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Fixed Duration

BACKGROUND

African Parks is a non-profit organization that takes total responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks, through affiliated local boards, has management responsibility for Garamba National Park (DRC) and Chinko Project Area (CAR).

JOB OVERVIEW

The Pastoralism Focal Point will be responsible for monitoring and responding to transhumance in and around Garamba National Park while working with key partners in Chinko Project Area (CPA) and other protected areas throughout the sub-region to develop a comprehensive understanding of this regional phenomenon. The Pastoralism Focal Point will maintain relationships with key figures in nomadic communities with the objective of avoiding environmental degradation and intercommunity conflict, especially where the phenomenon of transhumance is relatively new and the legislative framework incomplete. The Pastoralism Focal Point will coordinate activities across Garamba and Chinko that pertain to pastoralism. Simultaneously, contact will be maintained with similar initiatives within African Parks Network. Social and environmental sustainability will be guiding principles, both for the sake of managing these protected areas, and positively influencing the areas between them.

KEY FUNCTIONS

• Engage key leadership around Garamba and Chinko
  • Develop and maintain relationships with nomadic community leaders
  • Leverage these relationships to collect urgent information and to understand larger dynamics and trends dependent on the needs of general management
  • Coordinate with other departments in Garamba and Chinko to disseminate clear, standardized policies throughout pastoral communities to ensure protected area boundaries are respected
• Build an improved anthropological understanding for African Parks
  • Develop an understanding of different groups and dynamics around Garamba and Chinko
  • Analyse dynamics between different leaders and leverage knowledge to inform protected area policies and minimize impact of herding for social and environmental sustainability
  • Use analysis to inform rapid decision making as per the needs of general management
  • Investigate allegations of intercommunity conflict, poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking
• Standardize data collection and harmonize between Garamba and Chinko
  • Assure the integrity and accuracy of information on transhumance stored in analytical databases, including geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Assist in the management of other protected areas’ transhumance databases, including the clear establishment of granular transhumance “corridor” mapping
  • Harmonize large-scale data collection efforts with day-to-day observations
• Engage with other protected areas and organizations
  • Develop efficient strategies to share information between protected areas impacted by transhumance
  • Assess and analyse regional data to identify regional trends, dynamics, and patterns
  • Determine how Garamba National Park fits into trans-Sahel poaching routes that overlap with transhumance routes
  • Assess possibilities for engagement with international stakeholders

CAPABILITIES, COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCES REQUIRED

• Anthropology or related discipline, deep understanding of different cultures
• Experience engaging with diverse stake-holders
• Experience with working in analytical teams
• Background in analysis for transhumance, refugees, and/or protected areas
• Basic experience with GIS and geospatial analysis, as well as SNA
• Experience with working in Africa
• Passion for biodiversity conservation
• Fluency in English and French
• Fluency or willingness to learn Arabic, Felata, and/or Lingala
• Strong critical thinker
• Ability to work well under time pressure and recognize priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Good team player

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• R&D Deputy Director
• Analyst Team Leader
• Cyberinfrastructure Officer
• Similar roles within African Parks across the region
• Partner organizations of African Parks across the region

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Garamba National Park has direct lines of communication with key leaders and can leverage these relationships to maintain positive dialogue with nomadic communities. Herds do not graze in the protected areas, and their impact on local sedentary communities in the periphery of the protected areas is minimized. Management can rely on tailored reporting and accurate data on the dynamics between different groups. Coordination with other organizations and parks facilitates protected area management by identifying regional routes and elucidating larger trafficking networks.

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to hradmin@africanparks.org by 12th May 2020