Wildlife Conservation Society Regional Human Rights Specialist Jobs in Rwanda

Wildlife Conservation Society Regional Human Rights Specialist Jobs in Rwanda;The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization founded in 1895, dedicated to conserving wildlife and wild places through science-based solutions and conservation action.

WCS operates in more than 60 countries and supports protected areas, community conservation initiatives, species conservation, and wildlife law enforcement efforts worldwide. The organization recognizes the strong connection between people and nature and is committed to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as a foundation for effective conservation.

About the Africa Program

WCS manages one of the largest conservation portfolios in Africa, supporting:

Protected and conserved areas

Community-led conservation initiatives

Biodiversity landscapes

Species conservation programmes

Wildlife law enforcement efforts

The Africa Protected Areas Management Unit (APAMU) works to ensure conservation outcomes are achieved in accordance with WCS policies, principles, and commitments.

The Global Rights and Communities (R&C) Unit provides guidance and tools to promote community conservation, social safeguards, human rights protection, and positive relationships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other rights holders.

Job Purpose

The Regional Human Rights Specialist will lead and support the standardization and integration of human rights and rights-based approaches across WCS conservation programmes throughout Africa.

The position will provide strategic and technical guidance to country programmes and field sites, support human rights integration within conservation law enforcement, conduct human rights impact assessments and analyses, support investigations and fact-finding around human rights concerns, develop mitigation recommendations, and oversee the review of rights-respecting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The position reports to the Director of Africa Protected Areas Management Unit (APAMU), with a dotted reporting line to the Senior Human Rights Specialist in the Global Rights & Communities Unit.

The role requires frequent travel to remote field locations across Africa and close collaboration with country, regional, and global teams.

Major Responsibilities

1. Human Rights Strategy and Integration

Work with the Senior Human Rights Specialist to implement WCS’s rights-based conservation approach across all Africa programmes.

Coordinate with Regional Social Safeguards Leads to support the integration of human rights into conservation planning, project design, budgets, monitoring, and reporting.

Provide technical guidance on international and regional human rights standards applicable to conservation programming.

Promote alignment between field sites, country programmes, APAMU, and the Rights & Communities Unit.

Support the development and review of organizational tools, guidance documents, frameworks, and procedures related to human rights.

2. Human Rights Impact Analysis and Risk Management

Conduct human rights impact assessments and analyses for new sites and other situations as required.

Identify actual and potential human rights risks linked to conservation interventions.

Develop practical recommendations for risk mitigation and management.

Support systems for tracking human rights risks, corrective actions, lessons learned, and emerging trends across Africa programmes.

3. Human Rights and Conservation Law Enforcement

Work closely with the APAMU Law Enforcement Strategist and Senior Human Rights

Specialist to integrate human rights principles into conservation law enforcement operations.

Support law enforcement teams, site managers, and country programmes in ensuring human rights standards are respected.

Assist with development, review, and implementation of rights-respecting law enforcement policies, protocols, monitoring systems, and operational guidance.

4. Development of Rights-Respecting SOPs

Review Africa-level Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and support development of procedures that integrate human rights principles into field operations.

Collaborate with Regional Safeguards Leads to ensure SOPs align with WCS institutional policies.

5. Training and Capacity Building

Design and deliver practical human rights training programmes.

Promote the application of human rights-based approaches in conservation implementation, community conservation, and conservation law enforcement activities.

6. Other Responsibilities

Review and support processes related to gender equality, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, local community rights, and inclusion of underrepresented groups.

Contribute technical content to donor reports and organizational reporting related to human rights commitments and achievements.

Required Qualifications

Advanced degree in Law or another relevant field with specialization in Human Rights.

A first degree combined with substantial relevant experience and professional certifications may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights advocacy, research, policy, monitoring, or reporting.

Demonstrated experience working directly with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, civil society organizations, and/or government stakeholders in Africa.

Fluency in English and professional working ability in French.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience working in conservation programmes or conservation-related issues.

Experience supporting grassroots advocacy or human rights defenders.

Fluency in Portuguese or relevant African languages.

Core Competencies and Skills

Technical Competencies

Strong knowledge of international and African regional human rights standards and frameworks.

Knowledge of both civil law and common law systems related to law enforcement.

Understanding of human rights-based approaches to conservation and development.

Experience conducting human rights and risk assessments.

Understanding of gender integration, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and community rights approaches.

Experience developing policies, operational procedures, and guidance materials.

Professional Skills

Excellent analytical and critical thinking abilities.

Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills.

Ability to work independently in field environments.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong stakeholder engagement and interviewing skills.

Ability to work effectively across cultures and multidisciplinary teams.

Ability to influence change and support organizational learning across diverse country programmes.

Application Information

Application Deadline: 30 October 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity Statement

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on age, race, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

WCS is committed to fostering equity, inclusion, and fairness throughout the recruitment process and workplace.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Wildlife Conservation Society Regional Human Rights Specialist Jobs in Rwanda

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