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Job description:
Apply for the Regional Community Conservation Coordinator position with the
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Kigali, Rwanda. Full-time role
supporting conservation research, community engagement, wildmeat interventions,
and alternative livelihoods across Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea.
Deadline: December 31, 2025.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is recruiting a Regional Community Conservation Coordinator to support conservation and community livelihood programs across Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. This full-time role is based in Kigali, Rwanda, with regional travel.
If you’re passionate about conservation, social science research, and empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), this career opportunity may be the perfect fit.
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
The Wildlife Conservation Society is a globally recognized international NGO with headquarters at the historic Bronx Zoo in New York. Active in more than 60 countries, WCS works to protect wildlife, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems through science, conservation action, and community partnerships.
Their Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea Program covers major ecological regions in:
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Republic of Congo
- Gabon
The program addresses urgent threats including wildmeat trafficking, habitat degradation, and limited sustainable livelihood options for local communities.
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Purpose of the Role
The Regional Community Conservation Coordinator will play a strategic role in strengthening community-based conservation, integrating social science research, and advancing wildmeat and alternative livelihood interventions.
Your work will help ensure WCS’s conservation efforts are:
✓ Evidence-driven
✓ Aligned with human rights-based approaches
✓ Designed with and for local communities
✓ Consistent with regional and global WCS priorities
Key Responsibilities
1. Community Conservation Strategy & Social Research
- Lead the development and refinement of community conservation strategies aligned with WCS national, regional, and global objectives.
- Support technical teams in conducting qualitative and quantitative social science research (household surveys, perception studies, behavior change assessments, KoboToolbox, etc.).
- Standardize the design, collection, and analysis of R+C research tools across sites (e.g., BNS, NRGT).
- Work with M&E teams to create strong indicators for health, livelihood, social wellbeing, and conservation outcomes.
- Guide field teams in embedding social science methodologies into program design and adaptive management.
Wildmeat, Livelihoods & Community Support
- Coordinate the development of a regional wildmeat strategy in collaboration with One Health and CWT teams.
- Advise
technical teams on:
✓ Demand reduction strategies
✓ Protein diversification
✓ Zoonotic disease risk management - Support monitoring and evaluation of alternative livelihood programs (poverty graduation models, community-based protein production, micro-credits).
- Contribute to evidence-based donor reports and progress briefs.
3. Knowledge Sharing, Reporting & Representation
- Participate in proposal writing and strategic program development.
- Document key lessons to refine future conservation and livelihood interventions.
- Represent WCS at national and regional conferences, technical workshops, and stakeholder events.
Required Qualifications
- A postgraduate degree (MA/PhD) in conservation social science, anthropology, sociology, environmental policy, or related disciplines.
- Strong background in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
- Experience working with wildmeat issues, One Health, or community livelihood programs.
- Proven experience engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).
- Ability to develop and track indicators for conservation and community welfare.
- Excellent communication skills in English and French.
- Strong capacity-building and mentorship experience with diverse teams.
Location & Contract
- Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda
- Contract Type: Fixed-term, full-time
- Travel: Required within the Central Africa/Gulf of Guinea region
Salary & Benefits (Estimated NGO Range)
Estimated Salary
Range:
USD $2,900 – $4,200 per month (depending on experience & internal
scales)
Benefits may include:
- Health insurance
- Regional travel support
- Field allowances (where applicable)
- Annual leave & public holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Access to global WCS learning and networks
How to Apply
Interested and qualified applicants should submit their applications through the online application portal before December 31, 2025.
Applicant Tips
These improve ranking & increase user value.
- Customize your CV to highlight community conservation, social science research, or One Health experience.
- Showcase experience working with communities, especially Indigenous or rural groups.
- Mention specific tools (KoboToolbox, M&E methodologies, behavior change frameworks).
- Write a clear, concise cover letter expressing your motivation for conservation in Central Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is French mandatory?
Yes — strong English and French are required due to the regional nature of the
program.
Q2: Does the job require travel?
Yes, expect periodic travel across Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea
region.
Q3: Can Rwandans apply?
Absolutely. WCS encourages applications from qualified Rwandans and regional
conservation professionals.
Q4: Is experience with Indigenous Peoples required?
You need familiarity and field engagement experience with local or Indigenous
communities.
Call to Action (CTA)
Click the button below to view the original announcement and submit your application through WCS:
