Madagascar is a global treasure chest of biodiversity, yet in stark contrast to its biodiversity riches, it is one of the world’s economically poorest countries with a poverty rate of over 80%. The Makira Natural Park and its buffer zone in northeast Madagascar cover a surface of 722,000 ha and contain some of Madagascar’s most important biodiversity. The population that live around the park are predominantly poor and practice a mix of subsistence livelihoods activities including hunting, slash and burn rice production, dispersed small animal husbandry, and collection of timber and non-timber forest products from the Makira forest.
The Government of Madagascar and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have collaborated since 2003 to manage the Makira forest to conserve its biodiversity and assure the sustainable use of its natural resources. The Makira forest was designated officially as IUCN Category II Natural Park in 2012, and WCS has been delegated responsibility for the management of the Park by the Government of Madagascar. Management of the Park is carried out in a collaborative manner with 67 local community associations that regroup the 48,000 persons who live in the Park’s buffer zone. As part of its role in the management of the Makira Natural Park, WCS implements a comprehensive program of community development activities that aims to generate financial and non-financial incentives for local communities to: (i) sustainably use natural resources, and (ii) become active partners in protected area management. The range of activities undertaken by WCS includes support to community based natural resource management activities (through a network of community associations – COBAs); activities to improve the sustainability and productivity of traditional subsistence livelihoods activities such as rice and fish production; activities to generate alternative sources of protein and micronutrients to dissuade hunting; conservation enterprise development (raffia, cacao, cloves, tourism); and health and education activities. Makira also harbors an innovative carbon finance project where 50% of the revenues from the sales of carbon credits are invested in community development projects around the protected area. WCS is currently seeking a motivated and experienced individual to lead its community development work around the Makira Natural Park. The post is based in Maroantsetra, northeast Madagascar, with frequent travel throughout the protected area and within Madagascar. PRINCIPAL TASKS: Under the supervision of the Mamabay Coordinator, and in collaboration with the Director of Makira Park, the Community Development Coordinator has as his / her main functions: • Lead a process to develop a strategy for community development activities that aligns with the Makira Management Plan and the WCS Madagascar Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020 • Lead the planning and implementation of WCS’s community development activities in Makira Park in line with the community development strategy; • Contribute to fundraising for the implementation of community development activities and provide input to technical reporting for fiancial partners and communications materials for technical and financial partners; • Oversee the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework to measure the impacts of the community development work carried out by WCS around Makira Natural Park • Develop partnerships with NGO, private sector and Government partners to contribute to the achievement of the goals of the community development strategy. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - University qualifications (preferably Masters level) in rural development, community development, natural resources management or another relevant field - Professional experience in rural development and / or environment project management in a developing country, with experience in Madagascar an advantage - Knowledge of community development issues facing conservation organizations in Madagascar - Good communication, organization and facilitation skills - Ability to work in a team and in a multidisciplinary framework - Willingness to travel frequently in remote areas - Be able to use common computer software (word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc.) - Well developed communication skills in at least two of the following languages (with working knowledge of the third language an advantage): French, English, Malagasy For more information please contact: Alison Clausen Country Director, WCS Madagascar [email protected]
