Community Engagement Officer – Project Tekai

About the role

Panthera, which works exclusively on the conservation of wild cat species, runs Project Tekai in the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve in Pahang, focused on monitoring and protecting the Malayan tiger and other wild cats. The Community Engagement Officer organises community dialogues, carries out interviews and manages the data needed to support the project's aim of conserving wild cat populations. The post reports to the Project Coordinator and is based in Jerantut; work visas are not sponsored.

Key responsibilities

• Organise community dialogues and conduct interviews with people living and working in and around the tiger landscapes
• Build relationships with community members and affiliated government agencies
• Identify information needs with the Project Coordinator and analysts to understand threats to tigers and wildlife
• Know the FPIC process and uphold high ethical standards when engaging with local indigenous communities
• Develop survey questionnaires and interview community members, and interview offenders when possible to help map poaching patterns
• Take part in team briefings, planning sessions and represent Panthera professionally at events, workshops and meetings
• Keep information flowing between project units and manage data in tools such as the SMART Profiles database
• Prepare reports and data visualisations with Microsoft Office, SMART, QGIS and other software, and briefings on community engagement findings
• Help procure rations and equipment and manage community engagement logistics with the Assistant Coordinator

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Social Science, Anthropology or a related field; 2-3 years of experience preferred
• Existing legal work authorization in Malaysia; Panthera does not sponsor work visas
• Ability to work in a team, follow protocols and safety guidelines, and to work independently and travel regularly
• Interest in working with local and indigenous communities toward wild cat conservation
• Somewhat knowledge of Malaysia's conservation and policy environment
• Malay language proficiency required; driving licence (D) preferable

Applications close 6 November 2026 via the Panthera career page, with a CV and cover letter including three professional referees.