Mana Pools Ecosytem Community Development Manager

JOB PROFILE

You are an experienced community development professional with a passion for improving livelihoods, resilience, and participation of people living in and around conservation areas. You are skilled at designing and implementing initiatives that address social and economic priorities while being sensitive to local contexts. You thrive in field-based environments and are adept at building trust and strong relationships with diverse communities.

Successful performance depends on your ability to bring together communities, partners, and local authorities to achieve shared goals. The role requires applying participatory approaches, ensuring effective monitoring, and implementing sustainable development practices that align with conservation objectives. If you are dedicated to making a meaningful impact for both people and the environment, we invite you to join the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust's team.

JOB PURPOSE

The Community Development Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust’s integrated community development strategy, with the goal of improving the livelihoods, resilience, and participation of communities living within and adjacent to the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem.

This role will ensure that community development initiatives are responsive to local needs and priorities—particularly around poverty reduction, food security, health, education, climate resilience, and sustainable natural resource management—while aligning with the overarching goals of ecosystem conservation and the Trust’s Transitional Management Framework (TMF).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Strategy Development and Leadership

Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive Community Development Strategy for the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust.
Ensure alignment of community programs with the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust’s vision for inclusive conservation, sustainable development, and climate resilience.
Identify priority intervention areas based on participatory assessments and community needs.
Develop a resource mobilization and fundraising strategy for the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem community projects.
B. Program Design and Implementation

Design, resource, and oversee integrated, community-based programs in the following thematic areas:

1. Agriculture and Food Security

Support the development of irrigation schemes, particularly those that empower women and smallholders.
Promote climate-resilient agriculture through training, demonstration plots, and access to drought-resistant seeds.
Facilitate value addition initiatives (e.g., agro-processing, packaging, branding) to enhance income generation.
Improve livestock management systems, including veterinary support and sustainable grazing practices.
2. Skills Development and Entrepreneurship

Establish or support vocational training centres focusing on locally relevant trades.
Provide entrepreneurship training, access to microfinance, mentorship, and incubation support.
Implement financial literacy programs for youth, women, and community groups.
3. Healthcare and Education

Partner with health authorities to strengthen primary healthcare services, including maternal and child health.
Support infrastructure and resource improvements in local schools, including teacher development.
Strengthen the village health worker model to enhance community-based healthcare.
4. Sustainable Livelihoods

Facilitate and support Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) initiatives to enhance local conservation-based incomes.
Promote renewable energy solutions such as solar systems for lighting, water pumping, and productive use.
5. Climate Change Adaptation

Support the adoption of climate-smart agriculture and water conservation practices.
Work with partners to develop disaster preparedness plans, early warning systems, and community resilience strategies.
C. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

Build partnerships with non-government organisations, government agencies, traditional leaders, the private sector, donors, and development partners.
Foster community participation in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of development initiatives.
Represent the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust in community forums, stakeholder meetings, and public engagements.
Organize annual consultation with communities
D. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Develop MEL frameworks and tools for tracking progress and impact of community interventions.
Ensure timely reporting on community development outcomes, success stories, and challenges.
Facilitate learning and knowledge exchange across communities and partner organisations.
E. Team Leadership and Management

Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing community development team.
Provide mentorship, performance oversight, and capacity development for staff and local facilitators.
Ensure integration of gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion in all programs.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Essential:

A Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Rural Development, Agriculture, Social Work, Development Studies, or related field.
Minimum of 10 years’ experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management role in community development.
Strong background in livelihoods development, agriculture, food security, and climate adaptation.
Experience working with rural communities in Zimbabwe, particularly around protected areas.
Proven success in designing and managing multi-sectoral programs and in donor reporting.
Strong knowledge of Zimbabwe’s rural development landscape, traditional governance structures, and CBNRM approaches.
Desirable:

Master’s degree in Community Development, Rural Development, Agriculture, Social Work, Development Studies, or related field.
Experience in conservation-linked livelihoods or in a trust/foundation setting.
Familiarity with participatory planning tools (e.g., PRA, VCA) and community development methodologies.
Fluency in Shona and/or other local languages spoken in the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem area.
Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership: Ability to develop and drive long-term community development strategies.
Community Engagement: Strong facilitation, conflict resolution, and participatory planning skills.
Program Management: Capacity to manage complex, multi-component programs with measurable results.
Innovation and Initiative: Proactive and creative in finding solutions to rural development challenges.
Cultural Sensitivity: Respectful of local customs, beliefs, and traditional governance systems.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Skilled in using Monitoring and Evaluation tools and applying learning to improve programs.
Partnership Building: Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Based in the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem landscape, with frequent travel to remote field locations and local communities.
May require extended stays in rural settings with limited amenities.
Travel to Harare or other urban centres for stakeholder meetings or training may be required.


Interested candidates are invited to submit a Curriculum Vitae, with full address, telephone number and email address. These should be submitted by 7 November 2025.

Please apply online.


A competitive salary package will be negotiated, based on qualifications and experience.

We appreciate the time and effort taken by all applicants in expressing their interest in this role. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration. If you do not hear from us within 3 weeks, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We encourage you to apply for future opportunities that match your skills and experience.