African Parks

Responsibilities or duties

The Safeguard Officer will report directly to the Community Development Manager and Safeguard Manager at Country level. The Safeguard Officer will ensure effective management and collaboration at park level. They will be supported by the Safeguard Manager who will provide functional guidance and (where needed) independence from the Operations chain of command.

Qualifications or requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field in Human Rights/ Law/International Development/Conservation or a related field.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English and local language is a plus.
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to work with sensitive information.
• Ability to support training programmers.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to work across cultures and to foster collaboration.
• Affinity with conservation and social development in Africa.

Experience needed

Must have minimum of 5 years of relevant experience demonstrating knowledge of, and a track record of managing issues relating to human rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, land tenure, and/or social safeguards, preferably in a conservation or development context.

Experience of working in Africa and willingness to travel to and work in rural settings.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Contract Duration: Two-year contract subject to renewal based on performance

African Parks is an equal opportunity employer, female candidates who are qualified are encouraged to apply. Please note that we do not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

• Supporting implementation of the park Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) and other defined safeguards mitigation measures.
• Ensuring regular reporting of progress on ESAP implementation, and other assessed risks and mitigation efforts to internal and external stakeholders, as required.
• Ensuring an effective grievance and redress mechanism in the park, with functioning reporting channels, timely review of all grievances and development of appropriate mitigation and/or follow up in coordination with the Park Grievance Committee and with the HRCJA (serious misconduct).
• Supporting the training of park staff and partners on human rights and managing the partnership with NGO for independent audit and monitoring.
• Promoting a human rights-based approach to conservation that recognizes and respects the rights of all communities, including Indigenous Peoples – and supporting management of consistent compliance with human rights across park operations.
• Support capacity building for park staff to ensure correct implementation of, and compliance with, the Environmental & Social Safeguards standard operating procedures.
• Supporting implementation of safeguards procedures on key projects and complex initiatives (e.g. land use planning, carbon credits) – with a focus on ensuring compliance with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) guidelines. Preparing monthly technical reports.
• Defining and maintaining a register of service providers to support safeguarding efforts for victims, vulnerable groups, and other affected persons – and leveraging these services appropriately for grievance management and provision of remedies.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Discretion and ability to work with sensitive information
• Ability to support training programmers
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to work across cultures
• Ability to foster collaboration

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field in Human Rights/ Law/International Development/Conservation or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience demonstrating knowledge of, and a track record of managing issues relating to human rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, land tenure, and/or social safeguards, preferably in a conservation or development context.
• Experience of working in Africa and willingness to travel to and work in rural settings.