Community Manager-Boma – African Parks [Position now closed]

Position:	Community Manager
Location:	Boma
Reports to	Park Manager

Imatong Employment Solutions (IES) is a South Sudanese human resource company, registered and operating in South Sudan since 2015.

Set up in response to an identified need to strengthen the human resource sector in South Sudan, we are dedicated to transforming the human resources landscape in the country. We provide quality holistic HR services to businesses, organizations and job seekers, making HR and broader organisational processes easier, more transparent, fair, and respectful for all, with a focus on South Sudanese talent at all times.

African Parks (AP) is working together with Imatong Employment Solutions, to identify a Community Manager for AP’S work in Boma, South Sudan.

About African Parks

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage22 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Sudan. Boma and Bandingilo National Parks are located in South Sudan’s equatorial region with a combined area of 30, 000 KM 2. The parks host the second largest wildlife migration in the Africa that covers over 120,000 KM2, and provide habitat for large populations of hartebeest, buffalo, elephant, giraffes and lions.

Job Summary

The Community Manager will coordinate all community-level activities in Boma National Park and the surrounding landscape. Working closely with the Landscape Coordinator, Land-use Manager, and Park Managers, Boma Community Manager and Tango Manager will help develop and implement strategies to build a strong constituency for conservation using AP’s 3E+ Strategy. This role also involves contributing to the Land Use Management Plan (LUMP) and supporting the Tango program, ensuring benefits for both local communities and wildlife.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of the Boma Community Manager will include but not limited to:

1. Supervision & Management

• Supervise and manage the Community Department, including its teams (community/ Eco staff), budgets, and operations (vehicles, infrastructure, logistics in collaboration with the FOM, LEM, Tango Manager and relevant departments).
• Maintaining perspective of the landscape vision, incorporating this strategy into community activity design and implementation for the Boma landscape.

2. Community Engagement & Development

• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, understand, develop, and implement AP’s 3E+ SOPs and a community engagement strategy in Boma National Park and its surrounding areas.
• Identify opportunities and partnerships to enhance the 3E+ strategy, including quick-win community development projects such as WASH, schools, and healthcare initiatives.
• Lead sensitization and consultation with communities and local/state authorities on park-related interventions and conservation goals.
• Supervise the socio-economic baseline surveys and community mapping activities in collaboration with the Tango Manager.

3. Partnerships & Fundraising

• Work closely with local government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to align conservation efforts with community needs.
• Under the guidance of the FRM and Country Representative, identify and engage potential partners, NGOs, and donors to fund and support community activities within Boma National Park.
• Contribute to securing external resources to support sustainable development initiatives that directly benefit local communities.

4. Data Collection & Land Use Planning

• Oversee data collection efforts related to community engagement, ensuring alignment with conservation objectives.
• Collaborate with the GIS team and the Landscape Coordinator to develop maps that analyze current land use in the park and surrounding areas.
• Assist with the technical preparation of the Land Use Management Plan (LUMP) by contributing spatial data and analysis.
• Participate in the creation of a land-use vision, integrating community perspectives and conservation needs.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic & Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing community-focused conservation or development projects, ideally in remote or post-conflict areas such as South Sudan.
• Proven experience with community conservancies, land use planning, and sustainable development initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working within hierarchical systems of tribal or ethnic groups, and the ability to establish communication across all levels.
• Ability to work under extreme conditions in remote field settings for extended periods with limited external support.
• Community conservancy experience would be beneficial.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with geo-spatial software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, EarthRanger, and data collection software.
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with the ability to use spatial data to inform conservation strategies.
• Excellent report-writing, presentation, and communication skills in English; knowledge of Arabic or other local languages is beneficial.

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

• Strong cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated ability to work in a multi-ethnic landscape.
• Emotional intelligence, patience, and strong communication skills, with the ability to lead and manage teams effectively in challenging environments.
• Organized and detail-oriented, with a problem-solving mindset and the ability to work independently.
• A team player with creative, “outside-the-box” thinking, and a strong commitment to integrating local perspectives into conservation work.
• Willingness to live and work in remote areas for extended periods.

Other Key Attributes

• Experience in bush craft, long-distance travel by foot, and the ability to integrate with local communities.
• Proven track record in conflict resolution and the ability to mediate between different stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and local communities.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Application Process:

Interested candidates are asked to provide their current CV and cover letter, expressing their motivation for applying and their relevant experience/expertise.

The applications are to be submitted to:

For online applications please click here

Hard copies may be dropped to the Imatong Employment Solutions office in Thong Ping. Please contact +211 921 277 383 for directions.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and should not reach later than 10^th December 2024 at 5pm.

Please note that due to the anticipated volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in joining African Parks!

To view the approved advert from the South Sudan Ministry of Labour, please click here