Socio-Organisational Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

 POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar

Conservation International (CI) has implemented a large-scale restoration project on the Eastern side of the Lake Alaotra watershed. Planting related to this activity started in the Commune of Manakambahiny Est in 2023 and expanded to the neighboring Communes towards the North and West of the Manakambahiny Est in 2024. Planting will occur southwards in 2025, especially in the Communes of Ilafy, Didy, Feramanga, and Ambatondrazaka Suburbaine. 

The Government of Madagascar has received funding from the World Bank to support the Projet de Productivité et de Résilience des Moyens de Subsistance Ruraux – Riz Plus Project, mostly known as Riz Plus. This project has a reforestation component. Thanks to CI's expertise both in landscape forest restoration and its knowledge of the Riz Plus intervention zone, the Management Unit of the Riz Plus project selected CI to implement the reforestation component of the project for the 2024-2025 planting season. 

The Socio-organisational Manager is responsible for the community mobilization, structuring of farmers' organizations and local communities, hiring and management of workers, management, and monitoring of social and environmental safeguards. The Socio-organisational Manager will report directly to the Project Manager.  In strong collaboration with all stakeholders, they will lead the implementation of risk prevention and mitigation activities in the field.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mobilize the community and the other project stakeholders for restoration implementation and protection. Organize and conduct community meetings. Ensure active and full participation of all stakeholders. 
• Liaise with beneficiaries, communities, local authorities, and other partners.
• Help targeting and recruiting workers.
• Support beneficiaries and monitor the completion of beneficiary contributions.
• Ensure creation and mobilization of fire committee and watershed management committee and structuring of farmers' organizations and local communities.
• Manage and monitor environmental and social safeguards. Ensure that laborers apply the project specifications for safeguard measures and management of grievances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position may include working outside normal working hours and frequent travels long walks in remote areas and in the forest. 
• Ability to work with local partners.
• High adaptability to difficult conditions.
• Ability for teamwork.
• Supporting the staff in the implementation of other activities outside of its main responsibilities if needed.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process. 
• This role is a fixed-term assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, forestry, geography, social sciences, or a similar field.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in structuring farmers' organizations or local communities over the past ten years.
• Experience in awareness-raising and animation in the field of forestry.
• Knowledge of common challenges of the forest restoration process and working with communities.
• Strong sense of responsibility.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in Malagasy and French.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving
• Ability to diagnose problems and identify solutions.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse groups in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results.
• Experience in the Alaotra Mangoro region would be an asset.

Preferred

• Master’s degree.
• Knowledge of challenges and issues of the forest restoration process.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.