Community Development Manager

BACKGROUND

The Government of Malawi, through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and Peace Parks Foundation have signed a 20-year Co-Management Agreement for the sustainable development and management of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, forming the Nyika-Vwaza Complex, which is an integral component of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). These two protected areas collectively cover over 4,000 sq. km of land.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife(DNPW) is an agency of the Government of Malawi responsible for managing protected areas within and outside the protected areas, as mandated by the National Parks and Wildlife Act (CAP 66.07).

Peace Parks Foundation is a non-profit conservation organisation specialising in large-scale conservation through the development of Transfrontier Conservation Areas and the long-term management of key protected areas in partnership with government conservation agencies and local communities.

Under the agreement between DNPW and Peace Parks Foundation, a special non-profit and efficient legal entity, the Nyika-Vwaza Co-Management Trust (Trust) was established in Malawi. The Trust is responsible for the management and development of the Nyika-Vwaza complex. It is overseen by a Board of Trustees (Board) appointed by DNPW and Peace Parks Foundation, in accordance with the Co-Management agreement provisions, and the Trust’s Constitution.

A Park Management Unit is being formed within the Trust to implement the Strategic Business Plan, and is led by a Chief Executive Officer, appointed by the Board.

As part of its Park Management Unit, the Trust is looking for a suitably qualified and experienced professional to fill the position of Community Development Manager.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Community Development Manager will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership in fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable partnerships between communities and the Trust. The role will lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of i) community engagement strategies, ii) resources use/livelihoods/extension/education programs, iii) human-wildlife co-existence, and governance mechanisms.

The Community Development Manager will also serve as the Trust’s focal point for social safeguards and managing the Trust’s grievance mechanism and stakeholder engagement plan.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Evaluate the current structure of the community development team and actively contribute to the ongoing reorganisation efforts within the Trust.
• Lead the Trust Community Development team
• Ensure cohesive departmental efforts aligned with the Trust’s broader objectives, fostering collaboration and effective delivery of community-focused programmes.

Strategic Development and Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of a Community Strategy, a Community Engagement Plan, and a Community Action Plan for the Trust.
• Lead the development and implementation of a Cultural Heritage plan
• Integrate Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), social safeguards, and equitable benefit-sharing principles into all programmes.
• Lead the development of thematic programmes (education, livelihoods, wildlife economy, conservation agriculture, community governance, Community-Based Natural Resource Management).
• Conduct socio-economic assessments, community profiling, and needs analyses to guide interventions.
• Review and adapt the Community Engagement plan and Community Action plan, based on monitoring data, lessons learned, and stakeholder feedback.
• Contribute to the development of a community benefit sharing plan and monitor its implementation

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Maintain strong, trust-based relationships with communities, community-based organisations, traditional authorities, Non-Government Organisations, and government stakeholders.
• Facilitate multi-level consultative forums to ensure community voices inform management decisions, in particular, the organisation of an annual citizen assembly.
• Foster strategic partnerships for technical support, co-funding, and programme innovation for community development.
• Support resource mobilisation through input into proposals and concept notes.

Social Safeguards

• Act as the Trust Safeguards focal point, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.
• Oversee the operationalisation of social risk management tools (Social Action Plans, risk registers, mitigation measures).
• Ensure full implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework at the Trust level
• Ensure a functioning Grievance Redress Mechanism that is accessible, well-documented, and regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
• Provide safeguards training to Park Management Unit staff, community representatives, and partners in collaboration with the Safeguards Lead.
• Support integration of donor safeguard requirements (World Bank, KfW, AFD, GEF, etc.) into community project design and reporting.

Operational Oversight and Technical Support

• Provide technical guidance to ensure standardised approaches across governance, livelihoods, and resource use programmes.
• Supervise the implementation and further development of the Resources Use program, the Livelihood program, the Extension and Education program, and the Human Wildlife Co-existence program.
• Provide support to other programs mobilizing communities (Tourism, Fire management, Road maintenance, Invasive activities)

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Develop and implement MEL frameworks for all community programmes.
• Oversee baseline surveys, periodic reviews, and impact assessments.
• Collect, analyse, and report data to inform adaptive management.
• Compile regular progress reports for the Chief Executive Officer, the Board, and donors, ensuring transparency and accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Sociology, Social Policy, Governance, or related field.
• At least 10 years’ experience in community development in conservation landscapes, with demonstrated integration of social safeguards.
• Experience in team management
• Strong knowledge of participatory approaches, FPIC, and gender mainstreaming.
• Familiarity with donor safeguard frameworks (World Bank ESF, IFC PS, AFD, KfW).
• Proven track record in governance strengthening, livelihoods development, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong leadership and strategic thinking skills.
• Advanced project management, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in Tumbuka and Chichewa is an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and MEL tools.
• Ability to work under pressure, in remote settings, and in complex political/community contexts.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a Curriculum Vitae, with full address, telephone number, and email address. These should be submitted by 13 December 2025.

Please apply online.

We appreciate the time and effort taken by all applicants in expressing their interest in this role. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration. If you do not hear from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We encourage you to apply for future opportunities that match your skills and experience.

Apply Now