Full‑time Community Development Manager

About the role

The Community Development Manager will lead strategic planning, budgeting and execution of the park’s community portfolio, overseeing departmental staff and field teams. The role aims to strengthen community organisations, drive sustainable livelihood interventions and lead human‑wildlife coexistence initiatives that protect transboundary ecological linkages.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual work plans and budgets aligned with the community development strategy and buffer‑zone management plan.
• Supervise, mentor and evaluate department staff to ensure operational efficiency and strict financial control.
• Establish and strengthen inclusive community governance structures, especially Natural Resource Management Councils.
• Facilitate participatory planning with local governments and community leaders to co‑create development plans.
• Deliver capacity‑building workshops focused on gender‑strengthening, women’s empowerment and inclusive decision‑making.
• Implement essential infrastructure projects such as solar water systems, clean‑energy cookstoves and sustainable sanitation.
• Promote climate‑smart agriculture, improved livestock management and responsible artisanal fishing.
• Drive income‑generation and rural entrepreneurship through SME development and market access.
• Implement Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning frameworks and maintain the central community database.

Required profile

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Rural Development or related field.
• Minimum five years’ experience leading community support programmes in conservation or trans‑frontier areas.
• Proven leadership and team‑management abilities, including performance and project management.
• Demonstrated experience strengthening community‑based institutions, especially Natural Resource Management Councils.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken Portuguese and English; knowledge of Shangaan is a plus.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to live and work in a remote environment.