Conservation Capacity Development Lead

The Conservation Capacity Development Lead supports the development, coordination, and strengthening of Lion Landscapes’ conservation programming in Tanzania. This position focuses on mentoring and coaching conservation managers and field teams, with the goal of building long-term capacity to implement, monitor, and adapt community-based conservation efforts effectively.

The role provides technical, logistical, and programmatic support to enable site managers to meet conservation goals.

This is hands-on, field-oriented support role requires strong interpersonal skills, patience, and a genuine commitment to collaborative, community-led conservation. The ideal candidate will bring a thoughtful, long-term approach to capacity development and mentorship, grounded in practical and cultural understanding.

Main responsibilities

​In close collaboration with Lion Landscapes’ senior leadership, the Conservation Capacity Development Lead will be responsible for the following:

Capacity Building and Staff Support

• Mentor and support field managers and supervisors to deliver community conservation programming
• Identify skills gaps and work with the leadership team to coordinate relevant on-the-job training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities/develop professional development plans
• Support field teams in setting clear and achievable work plans and conservation targets, and assist with tracking progress over time
• Promote cross-site learning by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, tools, protocols, and best practices, ensuring consistency and continuous improvement
• Support managers to ensure clarity of conservation roles and responsibilities within their teams

Programme Implementation Support

• Provide technical guidance on the implementation of conservation activities, ensuring they are locally relevant and aligned with Lion Landscapes’ strategic objectives
• Support field teams in the design, delivery and data collection for conservation programmes, including community outreach, conflict mitigation, conservation education, and performance-based conservation programmes
• Assist field teams in troubleshooting day-to-day challenges, including managing community relations and resolving conflicts constructively.
• Contribute to the roll-out of new programmatic initiatives in Tanzania, including pilot testing, monitoring and scaling of effective approaches.

Planning, Monitoring, and Coordination

• Collaborate with field managers to ensure work plans and budgets reflect conservation priorities and local realities
• Support field teams in tracking progress and results accurately against KPIs and conservation goals
• Facilitate robust data collection and adaptive management processes, ensuring conservation teams have the capacity, tools and support they need to generate and use information effectively
• Help field managers review programme performance regularly and adapt where necessary
• Ensure compliance with procurement procedures, financial controls, and organisational policies, including those outlined in the Lion Landscapes Handbook

Communication and Internal Coordination

• Act as a key liaison between field conservation staff and the wider Lion Landscapes team, ensuring smooth communication and coordination across departments, including finance, operations, communications.
• Ensure key updates from the field are shared internally and support managers in contributing to donor reports, internal reviews and organisational communications
• Work with field programme managers to ensure any quarterly or yearly reports are completed and submitted on schedule

Partnership and Community Relations Support

• Help field teams strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, including communities, government representatives and partner organisations
• Provide contextual advice and facilitation support for community events, conservation messaging, and benefits delivery to ensure they are effective and well-received
• Ensure that local cultural norms and values are respected and thoughtfully integrated in programme planning and implementation

Cross-site Programme Consistency

• Ensure consistent implementation of core conservation programmes through standardised approaches, clear documentation, and and robust evaluation
• Support both ongoing and new programme areas with structured roll out plans, staff preparation, and effective monitoring to maintain quality and alignment across sites.

Experience and Skills

• Strong field experience in community-based conservation or natural resource management in East Africa
• Proven ability to mentor and support field teams with patience, cultural sensitivity, and respect
• Experience coordinating or supporting programmes across multiple sites or landscapes
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with diverse stakeholder groups
• Highly organised, proactive, and solution-oriented, with a strong track record in adaptive management within complex and dynamic environments
• Passionate about building the capacity of others and committed to long-term, locally-led conservation outcomes
• Fluent English and either existing proficiency in Swahili, or a clear commitment to learn rapidly