Social Safeguards Coordinator

Overview

The Social Safeguards Coordinator role at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Uganda focuses on managing and implementing social safeguard policies within the Queen Elizabeth National Park landscape, specifically the Ishasha sector. This full-time position supports social safeguard operations, including community engagement, grievance mechanisms, and awareness raising with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), ensuring alignment with international and national regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) for the Ishasha sector.
• Support compliance with WCS social safeguard policies among field staff and partners, with emphasis on IPLC engagement.
• Coordinate and deliver mandatory annual human rights and safeguard training to law enforcement personnel.
• Ensure WCS safeguards are consistent with Ugandan IPLC regulatory frameworks.
• Assist field teams with conducting Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes and meaningful community consultations, documenting these engagements thoroughly.
• Collaborate with the Regional Social Safeguards Coordinator to ensure adherence to Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and timely submission of IRB applications.
• Design and monitor indicators that evaluate social safeguards effectiveness.
• Provide continuous social safeguards training for staff and partners and help develop training modules.
• Support application of international best practices and donor requirements related to social safeguards.
• Represent WCS on social safeguards at meetings with government and NGO partners.
• Evaluate environmental and social risks, proposing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on safeguards.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), including piloting, quality control, staff training and coordination with partners and stakeholders.
• Monitor community perceptions of park activities and integrate feedback to improve outcomes.
• Develop a gender strategy integrating gender-sensitive approaches to WCS activities, including responding to Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases and ensuring equitable participation and benefits.
• Engage with local and international partners to strengthen GBV response and integrate gender analyses for funding and programming.
• Advise management on embedding gender-responsive methodologies throughout projects.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by senior management.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences such as International Development Studies, Anthropology, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Human Geography, Conflict Mitigation, or Natural Resource Management.
• Minimum of five years' experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring environmental and social safeguards.
• Demonstrated expertise working with marginalized, vulnerable groups and in conflict management.
• Experience establishing and managing environmental and social management systems.
• Fluent in English, with preferred familiarity with local languages in both written and oral forms.
• Willingness to reside or travel to remote locations with basic amenities and multicultural environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication capabilities and ability to work collaboratively.
• A results-oriented approach and dedication to wildlife conservation and protected area operations is advantageous.

Additional Information

This opportunity is available exclusively to Ugandan nationals or individuals holding valid work permits for Uganda. The employer is committed to equality and inclusion, ensuring nondiscrimination across age, color, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Salary details are not specified.

Application Process

Qualified applicants meeting all criteria are encouraged to submit applications before August 25, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.