Carbon Engagement Officer at Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA)

​​​​​The Role

• The Carbon Engagement Officer is MMWCA's focal point for stakeholders' engagement for the One Mara Carbon Project. The Project is considered a potential additional source of revenue for the Mara Conservancies set to strengthen the existing conservancy model, which is mainly dependent on tourism. The Carbon Engagement Officer will coordinate community engagement to help conservancies and MMWCA set up the One Mara Project successfully.

Scope of Work

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the project team and all stakeholders within the landscapes including the communities, conservancy management, tourism operators and research organization ensuring strong relationships and effective communication.
• Lead awareness activities on the One Mara Carbon Project, including supporting in the development of Information, Education and Communication materials, and help stakeholders build knowledge around the concept of carbon financing and distinctly outline the roles the conservancies and landowners need to play to enhance the success of the Project.
• Engage with local stakeholders, including community members, leaders, and groups, to build trust, foster support, and promote the project's goals, objectives, and benefits. Address any concerns and ensure meaningful community involvement in project activities.
• Act as One Mara Carbon knowledge custodian within MMWCA and an information point of reference by other organisations and stakeholders.
• Ensure free prior informed consent standards are developed, documented, and maintained for all One Mara Carbon Project activities.
• Facilitate community consultations, meetings, and workshops to gather feedback, provide project updates and ensure that the community's views are considered in project planning and implementation.
• Support conflict resolution and problem-solving between that might occur during project implementation
• Monitor and report on community engagement activities, providing regular updates to the Senior Programmes officer and OMCP representatives
• Ensure that the project complies with community engagement standards, including obtaining necessary permissions and ensuring informed consent when required.
• Promote local capacity building and training opportunities related to project activities, encouraging community participation in carbon monitoring, restoration, and management.
• Contribute to the One Mara Carbon Project strategy
• Working closely with the Senior Programmes Officer - Governance & OMCP communications lead to develop and implement the One Mara Carbon Project communication strategy to facilitate inclusive and effective communication and participation of all critical stakeholders (including under-represented groups).
• Coordinate exposure tours and reciprocal knowledge exchanges with other landscapes that are implementing carbon-financing initiatives.
• Coordinate participatory planning engagements for conservancies" managements and landowners' representatives for Project Activities.
• Generate up-to-date briefs, working closely with the Project Proponent and Carbon Project technical lead(s).
• Develop and maintain a stakeholders' map for the Project and ensure transparent information flow between stakeholders.
• Assist in managing relevant donor reports and generating and submitting donor reports on time in line with institutional and donor requirements.
• Synthesis of feedback and participatory planning outcomes from workshops into strategies that can help improve programmes for MMWCA and the One Mara Carbon Project.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum 5 years' experience, working with the communities and conservancies of the Maasai Mara ecosystem
• Strong communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, conflict resolution and report writing skills
• Fluency in Maa is highly desirable