Community Engagement Intern

Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wildcat species and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the seven species of big cats: cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, lions, pumas (also known as mountain lions or cougars), snow leopards and tigers. Panthera also studies and protects the world’s most threatened species of small cats through our Small Cats Program. 

Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats.

We are on the front lines, fighting to stop poaching, prevent conflict with people and conserve wild cat habitats. These proven strategies don’t just protect wild cats—they also protect their vast landscapes and the endless variety of life within them. These wild places are crucial to our planet’s health—and our own.

Location: Western Province, Zambia

Duration: 12 months after which the successful candidate may be offered a full-time contract of employment, dependent upon performance and subject to the availability of funding.

Start date: 15 November 2021

Work cycle: 7 days off per month

Applications: Closing date for applications is 1200 on 29 October 2021

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) with two contactable referees
2. Cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in fulfilling the role (submissions that do not include a cover letter will not be considered)

Please combine and submit your CV and cover letter AS A SINGLE DOCUMENT. The single document should be submitted to the Panthera Careers Page.

Preliminary interviews will be held online in late-October.

About the Role

In 2018, building on the success of Panthera’s partnership with the Shembe Church in South Africa, Panthera initiated the Saving Spots project at the request of the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) of the Lozi People in western Zambia. The Saving Spots project aims to preserve rich cultural traditions while simultaneously conserving Zambia’s natural heritage by providing the BRE with high quality synthetic leopard, lion, and serval skin garments, collectively known as Heritage Furs, to be used in traditional Lozi ceremonies and gatherings such as the annual Kuomboka ceremony. The strength and success of this partnership is clearly illustrated by the BRE formally announcing that the synthetic Heritage Furs would replace all authentic wild cat skin garments at future Lozi gatherings. Although Panthera has provided enough garments to meet demand form the Lozi community for the coming years, we are committed to maintaining a strong partnership with the BRE and the Lozi people. To that end, we are seeking a community engagement intern to assist with ongoing community surveys and sensitisation activities that ensure a greater acceptance and use of synthetic lion, leopard, and serval skins among the broader Lozi community.

Panthera is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated young professional who is passionate about conservation and the protection of wildlife.

The successful candidate will be mentored by experienced Panthera staff and will gain practical experience in community engagement, data capture and analysis, and project administration. The candidate will need to be a critical thinker that possesses strong interpersonal skills in order to cultivate productive working relationships with community members and fellow Panthera staff in order to help develop our understanding of the threats facing wildlife in Zambia, the challenges faced by communities living with wildlife and potential solutions to help address these threats and challenges.

Main Duties

Your job focus will be to assist Panthera with the day-to-day operations of the community engagement program and any other activities related to Panthera’s program to support the Barotse Royal Establishment as they replace authentic wild cat skins used in cultural ceremonies with synthetic alternatives. On occasion you may be required to assist with programmatic activities elsewhere in Zambia. Tasks will include:

• Assisting with conducting interviews with community members and other stakeholders
• Data capture
• Assisting with data analysis and interpretation
• Preparing reports
• Working with Panthera colleagues, communities and partner organizations to develop innovative and practical solutions to complex conservation challenges
• Where necessary, attending and assisting with training events and workshops
• Participating in regular internal project meetings
• Representing Panthera in external meetings and fora where requested
• Assisting with project administration including monthly financial reporting
• Assisting Panthera staff with other programmatic needs where necessary

Qualifications

• Zambian national
• Bachelor’s degree (a background in biological sciences or wildlife management will be an advantage to candidates but not a necessity)

Skills and Personal Attributes

• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Proficiency in Lozi.
• Diplomacy and well-developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Critical and logical thinker with an enquiring mind
• Strong computer skills
• Strong work ethic
• An ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• An ability to take initiative and deliver a high standard of work.
• Willingness to adhere to institutional procedures and standards
• A clear sense of institutional propriety with respect to accountability and transparency
• Unimpeachable integrity
• Living conditions are rough and familiarity with bush living in remote wilderness areas is a must. The candidate must be willing to spend extended periods of time working in remote environments
• A clean driving license for manual vehicles with a minimum of one year’s experience is a necessity. Off-road driving experience is advantageous
• Demonstrable interest in and knowledge of wildlife conservation
• Flexible and responsive to the needs of the organization
• Good time management; able to meet deadlines

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