Community Development Officer – Dja Landscape Division

About the role

The Community Development Officer (CDO) will lead equitable, community‑based natural resource management in the Dja landscape of Cameroon. Based in Somalomo and reporting to the Senior Landscape Manager, the CDO supervises Community Development Assistants and acts as the main liaison between local communities, conservation authorities, and partners.

Key responsibilities

• Facilitate community access to information, resources and livelihood opportunities, including non‑timber forest products.
• Support inclusive participation of Indigenous and local peoples in conservation decision‑making, human‑wildlife conflict mitigation and land‑use planning.
• Promote equitable benefit‑sharing, with focus on women, youth and vulnerable groups.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching and performance oversight to Community Development Assistants in Djoum and Lomié.
• Plan, coordinate and harmonise community development activities across sites to align with landscape strategies and donor commitments.
• Conduct regular field visits, review field reports and ensure high‑quality implementation.
• Strengthen governance and institutional coordination with the Conservation Service and ensure compliance with national laws and international safeguards.
• Support grievance and conflict management systems, including community‑based committees and mechanisms.
• Build community capacity on rights‑based conservation and sustainable natural resource management.

Required profile

• Proven experience in community‑based natural resource management or biodiversity conservation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Indigenous and local communities and facilitate participatory processes.
• Supervisory experience, preferably managing field assistants or similar staff.
• Strong understanding of rights‑based conservation, grievance mechanisms and stakeholder coordination.
• Excellent communication skills in English; knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

Required skills