Community Engagement Officer, Project Tekai

About Panthera Corporation

Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperiled species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe, and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats. For more on Panthera, visit www.panthera.org.

Panthera has been present in Malaysia through partners for almost a decade. In the beginning of 2020, Panthera incorporated an office in Malaysia - Panthera Wild Cat Conservation Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Panthera Malaysia).

Panthera’s Project Tekai started in 2023 and is focused on the monitoring and protection of the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), as well as all other wild cat species in the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, also known as the Tekai Core Area in Pahang. The project’s main objectives are to stabilize and recover the population of tigers and other wild cats in the landscape following the Panthera’s Regional Development Strategy for South and Southeast Asia in Malaysia.

As a Community Engagement Officer for Panthera’s Project Tekai, s/he shall work in a team to organize community dialogues, carry out interviews, and manage data required to fulfill the project activities with the aim to conserve the wild cat population in the project landscape. S/he will do so by adhering to the code of conduct and standard operating procedures of Panthera Malaysia. As an employee of Panthera Malaysia, s/he will uphold the organisation’s values and operating principles and maintain a professional work etiquette at all times. S/he may be required to assist with other projects of Panthera in other field sites from time to time for transfer of knowledge, skills and experience, at the discretion of the Malaysia Country Manager as and when needed.

S/he will report to the Project Coordinator of Project Tekai / Country Director.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Organise community dialogues and conduct interviews with members of communities living and working within and around the tiger landscapes related to Panthera Malaysia’s programs.
• Conduct regular engagement with community members as well as affiliated government agencies to develop and strengthen relationship.
• Work with the Project Coordinator and Analysts on the team to identify information requirements to understanding problems that threaten tigers and other wildlife in the landscape.
• Be familiar with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process and strive to uphold the highest standards of ethical practices when engaging with local indigenous communities in the project landscape
• Develop survey questionnaires to meet the identified information requirements and conduct the interviews with community members.
• Conduct interviews with offenders as and when opportunity arises and work with the Problem Analyst to fill in information gaps about poaching problem patterns.
• Participate in team briefings, discussions, strategic and tactical planning sessions with other members of the Panthera team and partners
• Ensure strong communications and flow of information and knowledge between the project units to enable a cohesive fusion of data analysis and successful implementation of interventions to reach the project’s objectives
• Ensure information is systematically curated and managed using database tools such as, but not limited to, the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) Profiles database.
• Prepare reports and data visualisations using Microsoft Office, SMART, QGIS and other software as required.
• Prepare reports and briefings to communicate findings derived from community engagement activities.
• Represent Panthera in the utmost professional manner when participating, leading, or facilitating engagement activities, events, workshops, meetings, conferences, etc. with communities members, partner agencies and any other stakeholders
• Work with Project Coordinator, Problem Analyst, and other members of the team to ensure community engagement work is aligned with wildlife protection strategies and interventions.
• Organize and work with the Assistant Coordinator with procurement of rations and equipment as well as in the management of other community engagement related logistics.

Essential Duties

The essential job functions of a Community Engagement Officer of Project Tekai are as follows:

• Establish and maintain good relations with partners and stakeholders of the project.
• Ensure professional conduct within the team as well as with partners and stakeholders of the project, including government representatives.
• Ensure that all assigned activities are consistent with the schedule and all outputs are delivered on time and at the desired quality.
• Keep abreast with current research and developments in biodiversity monitoring and wildlife crime science. This may require attending various meetings, workshops, conferences and training programmes.
• Be familiar and comply with the policies and guidelines set out in the Panthera Employee’s Handbook ensuring that the code of conduct & ethics and other Panthera policies are followed at all times.
• Be familiar and comply with Panthera’s programmatic vision, objectives and plans, and intellectual property rights.
• Maintain highest standards of professionalism and conduct when representing Panthera at local, regional and global levels.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable national laws and regulations of Malaysia.

Required Traits, Skills & Experience

• An ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
• A minimum of Bachelor's degree, ideally in Social Science, Anthropology or related fields
• 2-3 years of working experience would be preferable
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and unwavering commitment to Panthera’s mission
• Ability to work in a team and adhere to protocols and safety guidelines
• Ability to communicate well and professionally
• Ability to work independently and travel regularly
• Ability to be based in Jerantut, Pahang
• Efficacy towards interacting with people, with interest to work with local and indigenous communities towards the goal of wild cat conservation and a balanced co-existence
• Some knowledge of the conservation and policy environment in Malaysia
• Bahasa Malaysia language proficiency required
• Driving license (D) would be preferable

How to Apply

Interested applicants may submit most updated CV, along with a cover letter to describe why they are interested in the job and how they may best contribute to the project to the Panthera Careers Page. The application closing date is March 6, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.