Social Safeguard Assistant

The Wildlife Conservation Society is recruiting a Social Safeguard Assistant in Calabar, Cross River State. The role supports the implementation of social safeguards, community engagement, human rights, gender equality and social inclusion across conservation programmes around Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mbe Mountains. Responsibilities include community consultations, grievance management, field monitoring, documentation, safeguarding-risk reporting and support for training activities. Applicants should have a relevant degree or HND, good communication skills and willingness to travel to remote field locations.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a nonprofit conservation organisation established in 1895. It works to protect wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education and partnerships with local communities.

WCS has worked in Nigeria since 2001, supporting the conservation of important wildlife habitats and species, including the Cross River gorilla, elephants and other threatened wildlife. In Cross River State, its conservation work includes Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mbe Mountains Community Forest.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Social Safeguard Assistant will provide practical field and administrative support to the Social Safeguards Manager across WCS programme areas in and around Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mbe Mountains.

The role supports safeguards implementation, human rights, community engagement, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), gender equality, social inclusion, conflict-sensitive engagement, field monitoring, training, data management and reporting.

The post holder will interact regularly with communities, local authorities, partners and WCS field teams to ensure that feedback and safeguarding concerns are accurately recorded, reported promptly and followed up through the appropriate channels. The position reports to the Social Safeguards Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Support the Social Safeguards Manager in applying WCS safeguards policies, procedures and agreed mitigation measures across programme activities.

2.Participate in field visits, screening and monitoring to identify potential risks, concerns and implementation gaps relating to human rights, safety, inclusion and possible harm to communities.

3.Record findings, agreed actions, responsible persons and timelines, maintain accurate safeguards files, and support follow-up as directed by the Social Safeguards Manager.

4.Promptly escalate safeguarding incidents and serious or urgent concerns through established channels.

5.Support non-discriminatory community relationships, stakeholder consultations, sensitisation and other engagement activities using respectful, accessible and culturally sensitive approaches.

6.Promote meaningful participation by women, young people, persons with disabilities, minority ethnic or cultural groups and others who may face barriers to participation.

7.Support implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism in line with approved WCS procedures and confidentiality requirements.

8.Monitor and report emerging concerns, tensions, misunderstandings or conflicts that may affect communities or programme activities.

9.Coordinate with safeguards, programme and community engagement teams, participate in relevant meetings, and support logistics for consultations, training and field visits.

10.Track cases, agreed actions and response timelines, and support follow-up with complainants and relevant teams as directed by the Social Safeguards Manager.

11.Support the collection and documentation of relevant contextual information within the responsibilities of the role.

12.Assist with the organisation and delivery of safeguards, human rights, grievance-management, gender-equality and social-inclusion training or awareness activities for staff, partners, community representatives and other stakeholders.

13.Perform any other assigned duties.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.A bachelor's degree, Higher National Diploma or equivalent qualification in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Community Development, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Environmental or Social Management, Rural Development or another relevant field.

2.Relevant professional training in safeguarding, community engagement, gender, conflict management or grievance redress is an advantage.

3.Previous experience through employment, internships, volunteering or community-based work in community engagement, development, conservation, social work or a related field is an advantage.

4.Experience supporting community meetings, consultations, awareness activities, training or field data collection is desirable.

5.Experience working in rural or remote environments with diverse ethnic and cultural groups, persons with disabilities or people facing participation barriers is an advantage.

6.Previous exposure to a grievance redress mechanism, complaints mechanism or community feedback system is desirable.

7.Experience in conservation, natural resource management or development programmes is an advantage.

8.Good communication, listening, observation and interpersonal skills.

9.Ability to engage respectfully with diverse communities and stakeholders and support meetings, consultations and awareness activities.

10.Basic understanding of safeguarding, human rights, community engagement, gender equality, social inclusion, conflict sensitivity and grievance redress principles.

11.Ability to identify, document and promptly report community concerns and emerging safeguarding risks.

12.Ability to collect basic field data, maintain clear records and reports, and use Microsoft Word and Excel.

13.Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately and maintain professional boundaries.

14.Good organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

15.Willingness to learn, consistently follow WCS procedures, and demonstrate integrity, professionalism and respect for others.

16.Ability and willingness to work in remote and challenging environments and undertake regular field travel. A valid driving licence and practical driving experience are an advantage.

17.Fluency in English is required. Fluency or strong working knowledge of relevant local languages spoken at the duty station is also required. Knowledge of other relevant local languages is an advantage.

CONTRACT AND WORK ARRANGEMENT:

1.Duty station: Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

2.Programme areas: Cross River National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mbe Mountains.

3.Employment type: Full-time, as listed in the vacancy notice.

4.Reporting line: Social Safeguards Manager.

5.The position requires regular field travel and the ability to work in remote and challenging environments.

6.Eligibility: Nigerian nationals only.

7.Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested and qualified Nigerian applicants should submit a cover letter and résumé combined into one PDF document.

1.Prepare an updated CV or résumé highlighting relevant community-engagement, development, safeguarding or conservation experience.

2.Prepare a cover letter demonstrating suitability for the position.

3.Combine the cover letter and résumé into one PDF file.

4.Send the application to nigeriajobs@wcs.org.

5.Use “SOCIAL SAFEGUARD, CALABAR” as the email subject.

6.Submit the application before the deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for assessment. WCS is an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourages female applicants. WCS does not charge applicants any fees during recruitment.

APPLICATION LINK:

mailto:nigeriajobs@wcs.org?subject=Social%20Safeguard%2C%20Calabar

Official vacancy details: https://nigeria.wcs.org/Staff/career1/ID/26703/Social-Safeguard-Assistant-Calabar.aspx

DEADLINE:

19 October 2026