Community Conservation Coordinator – WCS Gabon At Wildlife Conservation Society

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Reporting to : Technical Director,
Duty Station : Libreville, Gabon
Program : WCS Gabon
Contract Type : Full-time
Mobility : Travel to WCS intervention sites in Gabon (national parks of: Ivindo, Lopé, Mayumba, Loango, etc.)
Organization Overview:

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve wildlife and its habitats. As the world’s leading wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of delivering groundbreaking results at scale. We conduct programs across the world’s oceans and more than 3 million square kilometers of biologically critical areas in nearly 60 countries. Our work is built on unique foundations: a global presence; cutting-edge scientific discoveries; protection through on-the-ground work in close collaboration with local and Indigenous communities; inspiration through our world-renowned zoos, aquariums, and educational programs; and the mobilization of our resources through partnerships and significant political influence. Our 4,000 diverse and passionate staff members, based in New York and around the world, work together to achieve our conservation mission.

Regional overview:

The Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea program is one of WCS’s largest of 13 global regional programs. It covers the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, and Gabon. This rapidly expanding program benefits from a diverse and growing portfolio of donors, partners, and projects. The region presents complex challenges in the conservation of biodiversity and its habitats. WCS’s field programs address these challenges through a range of initiatives, including protected area management, community engagement, improving sustainable livelihoods, supporting policy reform, and securing sustainable financing. WCS recently formalized its regional center in Kigali, Rwanda, which houses a growing team of technical specialists and regional managers to support our country programs and field offices.

Presentation of the program in Gabon:

WCS’s history in Gabon began in 1985 with the first national census of forest elephants, followed by a comprehensive assessment of conservation priorities. These groundbreaking studies bore fruit: WCS helped the government establish its network of 13 national parks in 2002, representing 11% of the country’s total land area, and by 2017, 20 marine protected areas covering 26% of the country’s exclusive economic zone. Today, WCS remains the largest and most influential international conservation non-governmental organization (NGO) active in Gabon. Strengthening its presence in Gabon, WCS and the National Parks Agency (ANPN) signed the country’s first partnership agreement in October 2025 for the implementation of delegated management agreements for the Ivindo, Loango, Lopé, and Mayumba National Parks. This memorandum of understanding establishes a two-year roadmap for concluding new long-term delegated management agreements between WCS and the ANPN for these parks. This signing is part of a new national policy aimed at diversifying national park management models, promoting innovative solutions for sustainable financing, and facilitating the sharing of technical expertise with conservation partners. This new partnership reflects the government’s renewed confidence in WCS, reaffirms its recognition of the fundamental role of WCS in the country, and reinforces the government’s commitment to the conservation and enhancement of national ecosystems.

Job Summary:
The Community Conservation Coordinator is responsible for defining, implementing, and monitoring WCS Gabon’s community conservation strategy.
As part of the broader WCS Rights and Communities team, they ensure that conservation initiatives are based on human rights approaches and aligned with WCS strategies, policies, and standards at the national, regional, and global levels.
The incumbent coordinates community activities at WCS intervention sites, mentors field teams, and develops strong relationships with local communities and institutional partners to foster active and inclusive participation in conservation efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
1) Development and management of the community conservation strategy:

  • Develop and adapt WCS Gabon’s national community conservation strategy according to the local context.
  • Support the development and implementation of community strategies at the site level.
  • Identify community engagement priorities and promote initiatives that strengthen community commitment to conservation goals.
  • Contribute to the revitalization and operation of Community Local Management Committees (CCGL).
  • Ensure coordination with the ANPN in order to guarantee alignment with national guidelines.
  • Ensure consistency between community activities and other components of the program (biomonitoring, law enforcement, tourism, etc.).

2) Coordination and supervision of field teams

  • Supervise research assistants and teams involved in community activities.
  • Plan and monitor the implementation of activities in the field.
  • Provide technical support to teams and resolve operational difficulties.

3) Training and capacity building

  • Train field teams in community conservation approaches and awareness-raising methods.
  • Develop appropriate educational tools and materials.
  • Strengthening team skills and performance through regular monitoring. 4) Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

4) Engagement and relations with communities

  • Develop and maintain trusting relationships with local communities, community leaders and local authorities.
  • Promote inclusive and respectful community participation in conservation initiatives.
  • To ensure compliance with the ethical principles of Respect for persons, Kindness and Justice.
  • Ensure that free, prior and informed consent is systematically sought for any activity involving communities.
  • Ensuring the quality of community activities (local governance, livelihoods, environmental education).
  • Supporting the design and implementation of socio-economic studies and data collection activities.
  • Ensure that feedback from communities is taken into account, particularly through complaints management mechanisms.

5) Engagement and relations with communities

  • Ensure compliance of activities with WCS community conservation standards and national regulations.
  • Contribute to the implementation of tools for monitoring and controlling activities.
  • Produce regular activity reports.
  • Contribute to the drafting of funding proposals and the documentation of best practices.

Desired profile:
Education

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, rural development, conservation, natural resource management, anthropology, sociology or related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in community development programs or natural resource management.
  • Proven experience in project coordination and field team management.
  • Experience working with rural or indigenous communities.
  • Experience collaborating with government institutions and international NGOs is desirable.
  • Experience in Central Africa would be an asset.

SKILLS

  • Strong skills in program management and coordination of field activities.
  • Good understanding of community-based conservation approaches and rights-based approaches.
  • Ability to work in multicultural contexts and to facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.
  • Analytical and report writing skills.
  • Fluency in French; knowledge of English is an asset.

How to apply

APPLICATION
Interested candidates who meet the criteria are invited to submit their application (CV and cover letter) via the WCS application portal before May 16, 2026.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and diverse work environment.
WCS strongly encourages applications from Gabonese professionals for this position.