Job Description
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Community Forest Specialist to support the Congo Basin Forest Action Programme (CBFAP), a seven-year FCDO-funded initiative. The programme aims to promote sustainable forest governance, empower forest-dependent communities, and drive economic and environmental sustainability in the Congo Basin.
The Community Forest Specialist will play a key role in supporting the implementation of community-based forest management initiatives across the Congo Basin. The Specialist will be responsible for working with local communities, government bodies, and other stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable community forest management plans, promote equitable access to forest resources, and support forest-dependent livelihoods.
The role will require extensive knowledge of participatory forest management approaches and a strong understanding of the socio-political dynamics within the Congo Basin. The Community Forest Specialist will also be expected to contribute to the capacity building of community forest user groups (CFUGs) and support efforts to ensure that gender and social inclusion are integrated into all community forestry activities.
Core Responsibilities
Community Forestry Development and Capacity Building
- Lead and support the establishment and strengthening of community forest User groups (CFUGs), providing technical assistance in forest management, governance, and sustainable resource use.
- Assist communities in developing and implementing Community Forest Management Plans (CFMPs), ensuring compliance with national forestry laws and alignment with conservation goals.
- Build the capacity of local communities by organising training programs on sustainable forest management, forest monitoring, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable livelihood activities such as non-timber forest product (NTFP) harvesting.
- Ensure the integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in all community forest management activities by facilitating gender-responsive approaches and engaging marginalised groups.
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
- Foster strong partnerships with local authorities, government agencies, NGOs, and civil society organisations to promote community forestry and ensure alignment with broader forest conservation efforts.
- Work closely with national and local government agencies to advocate for community forestry policies and ensure that community rights and needs are reflected in national forest governance frameworks.
- Facilitate community engagement workshops, exchange visits, and other multi-stakeholder dialogues to share best practices, build partnerships, and promote the long-term sustainability of community forestry initiatives.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of community forestry activities, including forest health assessments, biodiversity monitoring, and tracking economic benefits for communities.
- Train community forest groups in using monitoring tools such as SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) and other data collection tools.
- Prepare reports on progress, lessons learned, and success stories, contributing to both internal and donor reports and ensuring that all activities are documented effectively.
Livelihood Development and Sustainability
- Support the development of sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities by identifying opportunities for income generation through agroforestry, eco-tourism, and NTFP harvesting.
- Work with communities to develop sustainable financing mechanisms for community forestry, ensuring that benefits are shared equitably and that forest management remains viable in the long term.
- Provide technical support in securing access to markets for forest products and help communities develop strategies for selling sustainably harvested goods.
Policy Advocacy and Knowledge Sharing
- Advocate for community forest rights at local, national, and regional levels, ensuring that communities have the legal support they need to protect their forests.
- Share knowledge and promote the successes of community forestry initiatives through regional forums, networks, and learning exchanges.
- Provide input into the design of new community forest projects and contribute to the scaling up of successful models across the Congo Basin.
What We Value
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Rural Development, or a related field.
- At least 7- 10 years of experience in community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), forestry, or sustainable development, with a focus on community forestry.
- Demonstrated experience working with forest-dependent communities and implementing participatory forest management approaches.
- Strong background in developing and implementing Community Forest Management Plans (CFMPs) and experience in capacity building for community groups.
- Experience working in the Congo Basin or other tropical forest regions is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of forest governance, community rights, and natural resource management in tropical forest ecosystems.
- Proven ability to engage and work with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors.
- Proficiency in monitoring and reporting tools such as SMART, GIS, or other forest monitoring technologies.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to train and mentor community members and stakeholders.
- Fluency in English and French is required. Proficiency in local languages spoken in the Congo Basin would be an advantage.
- Strong commitment to community empowerment and sustainable development.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multi-stakeholder settings.
- Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to work in remote and challenging environments.
- Culturally sensitive and able to navigate complex socio-political dynamics.
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.
Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
