A Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) is needed to serve as a Protected Area Management Specialist for the Muti Muti Nature Reserve (MMNR) in the Kingdom of Eswatini. MMNR is a newly established protected area within the recently proclaimed UNESCO Lubombo Biosphere and Lubombo Trans-frontier Conservation Area. MMNR plays a central role in this landscape level protected area which extends into parts of Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa. As a newly protected area, there is a great need for institutional strengthening in all spheres of MMNR. At a local level, MMNR needs assistance in the design and implementation of natural resource and land management programs and the engagement of surrounding communities and schools in environmental education and conservation career skills building. At a national level, MMNR needs assistance with coordinating with the large network of government, private, and community protected areas within the Lubombo Biosphere Reserve on regional conservation projects.

The Protected Area Management Specialist, with a bachelor’s degree in an environmental science field such as Biology, Natural Resource Management, or Environmental Engineering and 2-3 years’ experience in environmental program management, is needed to work with staff and the surrounding community to implement sustainable environmental programming and improve the benefits the MMNR provides to the surrounding community. Additionally, the PCRV will be expected to define common administrative duties and workflows and expand MMNR’s capacity to accomplish its objectives through staff training and grant writing, and the PCRV will also need to advocate for MMNR when working with national and international government agencies and environmental NGOs. Overall, the PCRV is to be an advocate for the reserve and provide critical input for its future direction and vision.

Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in eSwatini together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.

Muti Muti Nature Reserve (MMNR)

• High tolerance for ambiguity and high level of flexibility – some details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations
• Bachelor’s degree in an environmental science such as Biology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering, etc.
• 2 to 3 years’ experience in environmental program management
• 2 to 3 years’ of experience training community members and organizations in natural resource management
• 2 to 3 years’ experience in conservation programs implementation
• Commitment in working in under resourced setting