05/06/2026
Xigera Safari Lodge is currently recruiting for an exciting new role, Environment and Community Manager, based at the lodge in Botswana. The role is responsible for delivering Xigera’s sustainability commitments through integrated environmental stewardship and community development. It sits at the intersection of ecological management and people-centred programming, ensuring that neither is deprioritised in favour of the other.
The primary mandate is to oversee the implementation of Xigera’s 2026 to 2030 Sustainability Strategy, structured under the three pillars of the Bophelo Foundation: Land, People, and Heritage. The role acts as the operational lead for these commitments on the ground.
This is a highly operational role requiring consistent presence, relationship building, programme management discipline, and measurable delivery across both environmental and community workstreams.
Minimum Experience and Qualification Required:
* Formal qualification in environmental science, ecology, conservation, or closely related field
* Demonstrated experience working in rural or remote communities in Botswana
* Strong programme and project management capability
* Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
* Strong written and verbal communication skills in English & Setswana
* Willingness to live and work in a remote environment on a residential schedule
* High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
* Ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
* Policy & Procedure manuals and ex*****on
* Able to work flexible hours, weekends and public holidays
* A basic understanding of Geography of the Delta
Advantageous Experience and Qualification Desired:
* Proficiency in Setswana or another Botswana language
* Experience with renewable energy systems, particularly solar in off grid environments
* Experience in community enterprise or cooperative development
* Exposure to circular food systems, agroecology, or smallholder supplier development
* Prior work with NGOs, conservation organisations, or philanthropic foundations
* Experience in environmental compliance and reporting frameworks
Skills and Qualities:
* Strong grounding in ecological principles and environmental management
* Ability to build trust based relationships with local communities
* Structured, disciplined approach to programme ex*****on and reporting
* Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
* High level of accountability and ownership
* Comfortable working independently in a remote setting
* Detail orientated with a focus on measurable outcomes
* Balanced perspective between environmental stewardship and community needs
Essential Duties:
Environmental Operations and Compliance
* Own and manage Xigera’s Environmental Management Plan compliance across energy, water, and waste
* Close gaps between current operations and 2026 to 2030 sustainability targets
* Establish and maintain measurement systems for environmental performance
* Track energy, water, and waste metrics monthly and report quarterly
* Coordinate with maintenance teams on infrastructure including solar systems and battery lifecycle planning
Community Programme Development and Oversight:
* Lead implementation of community programmes across three priority areas: Community energy and water access
* Livelihood and skills pathways
* Circular food systems
* Build and maintain consistent, trust based relationships with community members, leaders, and partners
* Establish and manage community energy committees, including training and governance support
* Oversee the Livelihood and Skills programme across Exploration, Development, and Mastery levels
* Develop and manage local procurement partnerships for lodge food supply
* Support grower and forager development and formalise supply agreements
* Ensure all community initiatives are designed for long term local ownership and independence
Reporting and Strategy Accountability:
* Report directly to the General Manager on all environment and community workstreams
* Produce quarterly sustainability reports tracking progress against strategic goals
* Maintain a structured programme tracker with clear ownership, timelines, and outcomes
* Prepare inputs for strategic milestones including the 2028 lease renewal and 2030 strategy review
* Coordinate with the Bophelo Foundation and external stakeholders where required
People and Culture:
* Uphold company policies and standards of conduct
* Foster strong collaboration between lodge operations, maintenance, and sustainability functions
* Support knowledge sharing and awareness of sustainability practices within the lodge team
* Build a culture of accountability and purpose driven work
KPIs and Deliverables:
* Full implementation of Environmental Management Plan targets
* Measurable improvements in energy, water, and waste performance
* Delivery of community programmes with documented participation and outcomes
* Successful establishment and functioning of community committees and partnerships
* Quarterly sustainability reporting completed on time and to standard
* Demonstrated progress against 2026 to 2030 Sustainability Strategy goals
* Evidence of long term, locally owned community initiatives
Reporting Line and Location
Reports to: General Manager, Xigera Safari Lodge
Location: Xigera Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Scope: Environment and Community Workstreams
To apply, please email your CV and application to Motswantshi Bhakhai at [email protected].
