Community Development Officer – Dja Landscape

About the role

The Community Development Officer (CDO) will lead community‑based natural resource management in the Dja Landscape, supporting biodiversity conservation and improving livelihoods of communities around the Dja Faunal Reserve. Based in Somalomo, the CDO reports to the Senior Landscape Manager and supervises two Community Development Assistants.

Key responsibilities

• Promote equitable and sustainable community‑based natural resource management, including non‑timber forest products.
• Facilitate inclusive participation of Indigenous and local communities in conservation decision‑making, human‑wildlife conflict mitigation, and land‑use planning.
• Ensure equitable benefit‑sharing from conservation and livelihood initiatives, with focus on 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 to support implementation quality, troubleshoot challenges, and mentor field staff.
• Review and validate field reports, workplans, and activity documentation.
• Strengthen inclusive governance and institutional coordination with the Conservation Service.
• Support grievance and conflict management systems, ensuring fair and timely resolution of complaints.
• Build community capacity on rights‑based conservation practices.

Required profile

• Proven experience in community development, natural resource management, or related conservation fields.
• Experience working with Indigenous and local communities in a participatory setting.
• Demonstrated supervisory or team‑leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in remote field environments.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is a plus.

Required skills