Responsible for “CLIP and conflict management” activities At Wild Chimpanzee Foundation

CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION

Guinea has, however, committed to protecting its national biodiversity by ratifying international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and has committed, in accordance with the Aichi target, to increasing the area of ​​protected areas from 15 to 30% of the national territory. In view of the evolution of the challenges of development and conservation of biodiversity throughout Guinea, the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) and the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development through the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves (OGPNRF) signed a framework agreement in 2011 and renewed in 2022 for the sustainable management of fauna and flora in Protected Areas and areas of high biodiversity value. Thus, in the implementation of this agreement, the WCF technically and financially supports the Guinean government in achieving its objective of developing a network of protected areas composed of 17 national parks. It is within this framework that the NaturaGuinée project, financed by the European Union and implemented by the WCF, is taking place.

This action of the NaturaGuinée program aims to improve the resilience of ecosystems, flagship species and rural populations in Guinea. The approach of the three pillars of NaturAfrica will be implemented, by combining the conservation of biodiversity through the management of protected areas, the development of a green economy, and the improvement of territorial governance. The action will be divided into two components: the territorial component (conservation of natural ecosystems) based on the landscape approach of NaturAfrica and oriented towards the protection of the “Savannah” and “Forest” Biomes and the thematic component (species conservation) which focuses on the conservation of flagship species of Guinea at the national level. The intervention landscapes of the territorial component of this action are the Badiar National Park (Biome “Savannah”) and the future Pinselli-Soyah-Sabouyah National Park (Biome “Forest”). These two landscapes have been identified in the EU Strategy for Conservation in Africa as key areas for biodiversity conservation and development on the African continent (WAF/KLCD).

Thus, for the implementation of the activities of the NaturaGuinée project in a climate of peace and social cohesion with the effective involvement of stakeholders, the WCF is recruiting One (1) Manager of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and conflict management activities for the Badiar component of said project.

JOB MISSION

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Component and in close collaboration with other Heads of Department, the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Conflict Management Officer will play a crucial role in promoting harmonious relationships with local communities and other stakeholders, as well as in proactively managing conflicts within the national park. The incumbent will be responsible for implementing FPIC processes and effectively resolving emerging conflicts.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head of “CLIP” activities and conflict management will have the following tasks:

Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

• Facilitate CLIP processes by transparently and inclusively engaging local communities in decisions affecting the national park;
• Ensure that communities are fully informed about projects, changes and potential impacts.

Conflict management

• Proactively identify potential sources of conflict related to the activities of the company and put in place resolution mechanisms;
• Promote mediation, dialogue and other conflict management approaches to promote positive relationships;

Collaboration with communities

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local community representatives;
• Organize regular meetings to discuss concerns, expectations and perceived impacts.

Training and Awareness

• Train Park staff on CLIP principles, conflict management and intercultural communication;
• Implement awareness-raising initiatives to inform communities about conservation issues and mutual benefits.

Protocol Development

• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop specific CLIP protocols governing interactions within the park and communities.

Reports and documentation

• Document CLIP processes, consultations and conflict incidents;
• Prepare periodic reports on progress made in community relations and conflict resolution.

Legal compliance

• Ensure that all park activities comply with national and international laws and standards on FPIC and the rights of local communities.

In all areas of his/her activity, he/she must be proactive, that is to say, be able to propose improvements or adaptations. His/her supervisor may ask him/her for additional tasks if necessary.

This job description covers the main responsibilities inherent to this position. However, it may be necessary to perform tasks other than those listed above as well as a great deal of flexibility in the management of the function without this being considered as a contract modification.

CONSULTANT PROFILE (EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND QUALITIES)

The skills, experiences and qualities required for this position are as follows:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, conflict management, law or related field;
• Substantial experience in managing CLIP processes and conflict resolution, ideally in a conservation or environmental context;
• Excellent skills in intercultural communication, negotiation and mediation;
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with diverse communities;
• In-depth knowledge of the rights of local and indigenous communities;
• Competence in the development and implementation of protocols that respect human rights;
• In-depth knowledge of issues related to biodiversity conservation and rural development;
• Proven project management skills, including planning, implementation, and monitoring;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with local authorities and the local community;
• Have a strong taste for field work and be able to live in living conditions that are sometimes isolated and with limited comfort;
• Ability to work in a team with a strong sense of responsibility;
• Knowledge of local languages;
• Excellent level of French and English would be an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of issues related to rural development, including sustainable agriculture, access to social services and environmental preservation;
• Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills;
• Proficiency in using standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint.