Coordinator, Human Rights and Social Safeguards

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) covers approximately 1,372,625 hectares in the Ituri province and constitutes a forest landscape of global importance, home to the okapi as well as local communities and indigenous peoples with a historical relationship to the forest.

In a context marked by security, social, land and environmental pressures, WCS and ICCN are strengthening a conservation approach based on human rights, accountability, prevention of social risks and effective management of complaints.

The Human Rights/Social Security Coordinator will support the Regional Forestry Office (RFO) in implementing socially responsible conservation practices, in accordance with the safeguarding requirements of the World Conservation Society (WCS), the Belgian Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), and technical and financial partners. The position combines skills in coordination, analysis, risk prevention, confidential management of sensitive cases, capacity building, and decision-making support.

1. Strengthening the operationalization of the RFO safeguards framework

• Contribute to the identification, analysis and monitoring of social and environmental risks related to conservation, law enforcement, community engagement and infrastructure activities.
• Support the consistent implementation of safeguard tools, including risk analyses, the environmental and social management plan (ESMP), gender analyses, action plans, corrective measures, protocols and monitoring tools.
• Ensure the integration of the principles of inclusive participation, meaningful consultation, particularly the CLIP-FPIC processes, access to information and protection of vulnerable groups into the activities of the RFO.
• 1. Monitor corrective measures and propose practical adjustments based on evolving circumstances and lessons learned.   2. Monitor the human rights situation and manage sensitive cases

• Implement protocols for monitoring, documenting, securely sharing and escalating human rights concerns around the RFO.
• Support the initial analysis, referencing and institutional follow-up of sensitive incidents, allegations or cases, in accordance with the principles of confidentiality and informed consent.
• Coordinate with specialist services and relevant partners for cases requiring a medical, psychosocial, legal, protection or security response.
• Produce analyses useful to management on trends, emerging risks, responses implemented, and necessary preventive or corrective measures. 3. Manage the complaints and grievances management mechanism (GRM/MGP).

• Supporting the accessibility, credibility, traceability and confidentiality of the complaints management mechanism in communities bordering the RFO.
• Supervise and ensure the proper management of complaints, including their receipt, recording, categorization, analysis, referral, follow-up and closure in accordance with established procedures.
• Facilitate community communication on rights, channels of redress, indicative timeframes, stakeholder responsibilities and principles of non-retaliation.
• Analyze trends emerging from the GRM to improve risk prevention, accountability, and operational practices within the RFO. 4. Develop institutional capacities in DH/SS     

• Identify priority capacity building needs on human rights, social safeguards, GRM, responsible conduct, GBV/EAS/HS and sensitive case management.
• Prepare and deliver training, guidance, reminders and coaching sessions tailored to WCS, ICCN and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the integration of DH/SS requirements into site procedures, operational meetings, monitoring tools, and management decisions.     5. Support institutional coordination, reporting, and learning

• Consolidate information from field monitoring, GRM, sensitive cases, training and safeguards to support adaptive management.
• Contribute to work plans, internal reports, donor reports, alert notes, coordination meetings and site performance reviews.
• Facilitate coordination with WCS teams, ICCN, community partners, specialist organizations and other relevant actors, while clarifying roles and limits of accountability.

• Functional relationships and limits of accountability

  The incumbent reports technically to the National DH/SS Advisor and administratively to the RFO Site Manager. He/she works in coordination with the designated ICCN counterpart, the GRM team, operational departments, community teams, monitoring and evaluation, law enforcement and specialized partners.

  The incumbent does not replace the competent authorities, specialized service providers, or judicial mechanisms. Their role is to facilitate prevention, documentation, referral, coordination, analysis, and institutional monitoring in accordance with applicable protocols.

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