Community Conservation Coordinator

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program-PNG

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Community Conservation Coordinator (PNG National)

Position type: Full Time

Reports to: Protected Area Manager, TKCP-PNG

Location: Based in Lae, Morobe Province with frequent travel to the YUS Conservation Area Remuneration: A competitive salary package including family medical coverage, Nasfund contributions, worker’s compensation, and professional development opportunities.

Background:

The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program has worked with communities and landowners in the Yopno Uruwa-Som (YUS) landscape since 1996. Together with YUS landowners and the PNG Government, TKCP helped establish the country's first nationally-protected Conservation Area in 2009. The YUS Conservation Area is wholly owned by local people and supported by the PNG Government for long-term protection. The YUS landscape has extremely high biodiversity value but faces pressure from subsistence-level habitat conversion and unsustainable resource use. Today, TKCP and the YUS Conservation Area serve as a national model for community-based conservation in PNG.

Purpose:

The Community Conservation Coordinator provides outreach, guidance, and support to YUS communities in sustainable land-use management. He/she will advise and facilitate community representatives in monitoring, reviewing, and periodically updating ward-level Land-use Plans, which identify each ward’s conservation and development priorities and define boundaries for land-use zones including protected areas, buffer zones, reforestation areas, and livelihoods/garden areas. Together with the Protected Area Manager and TKCP's Conservation Officers, the Coordinator will promote adherence to Land-use Plans, solicit community input on resource needs, and strengthen conservation engagement throughout YUS.

Summary of key responsibilities

1. Facilitate community implementation and monitoring of 18 ward-level Land-use Plans, including periodic review and updating
2. Manage activities of Land-use Plan Monitoring Officers to ensure data quality and coverage; lead annual refresher trainings
3. Clean, manage, and maintain Land Use Plan Monitoring database
4. Establish secondary land-use monitoring systems (e.g. remote sensing, GIS, other methods) to ensure local adherence to Land-use Plans and to inform YUS Landscape & Conservation Area management 5. Work with Conservation Officers to guide, and monitor community outreach and awareness efforts, tailored to specific gender/age groups as necessary (e.g., develop structured awareness programs to ensure target audiences in YUS communities have an up-to-date understanding of TKCP’s work). 6. Facilitate community trainings and stakeholder workshops to support Land-use Planning & Management processes and guidance to ensure community input and participation.
5. Contribute to marine resource values mapping process to inform future monitoring efforts 8. Oversee landowner pledging of new and mapping of existing land parcels in the YUS Conservation Area 9. Conduct frequent field visits to ensure that activities align with work plans and technical requirements, while also strengthening networks to capture community acceptance and engagement.
6. With support from Protected Area Manager, represent TKCP and YUS Conservation Area in community conservation and sustainable land-use initiatives.
7. Review existing programming and make recommendations for areas of expansion. 12. Serve as focal point for technical proposal writing for conservation and sustainable resource use projects. 13. Submit monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reports based on field data collection, analysis, and documentation.

Selection criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, conservation, environmental studies, or related fields • 3+ years of experience with protected areas conservation and/or community-based conservation. • Experience working with NGO or government agency in positions of increasing responsibility. • Confidence and ability to liaise with governments representatives and community leaders/landowners • Experience in project management including planning, budgeting, and reporting. • Experience maintaining
• Competency with geospatial data management and analysis (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, remote-sensing data products) and/or digital data collection platforms (e.g., SMART - Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool, KoboToolbox, EarthRanger) is an asset.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with local communities and traveling to remote areas in PNG. • Physical capabilities for remote field work and hiking in mountainous terrain
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to meet deadlines.
• Proficient spoken and written English and Tok Pisin language skills required.
• A demonstrated high work ethic and ability to assume a high level of responsibility • Commitment to the goals and philosophy of TKCP
• YUS residents are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application:

To apply, please email or mail a cover letter addressing each selection criteria, CV, school transcripts, and three reference names and contact information, by close-of-business on May 15, 2026. Address application and supporting materials to:

Executive Director

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program - PNG

PO Box 360

5th Street Professionals Building

Lae, Morobe Province, PNG

Or email to: [email protected]

The application period is April 30-May 15. Interviews will be conducted in June 2026. The position is anticipated to start in July 2026. All applicants are encouraged to review the TKCP-PNG website www.treekangaroo.org.