Constance Banda
Lusaka
Summary
Conservation and programme management professional with 8+ years delivering landscape-scale conservation across Zambia and the Greater KAZA landscape. Experienced in protected area management, biodiversity stewardship, conservation planning (GIS-informed), human–wildlife coexistence and donor-funded programme delivery. Proven track record coordinating cross-sector partnerships with government agencies (DNPW), NGOs, Community Resource Boards and international organisations; supervising and mentoring field teams and volunteers; and translating scientific evidence into practical conservation actions that inform protected area planning and management.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Conservation & Communities Intern – Human-Centred Conservation
Jamma Conservation and Communities
United Kingdom
03.2026 - Current
- Support coordination of donor-funded conservation programmes across Southern and Eastern Africa, Canada, UK and the USA, contributing to programme implementation, partnership management and conservation planning.
- Assist collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, Community Resource Boards, academic institutions and international partners across the Greater KAZA region to align field interventions with landscape-scale conservation priorities.
- Contribute to human-centred conservation initiatives focused on biodiversity stewardship, sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience and community livelihoods.
- Support monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) by tracking outputs and outcomes, maintaining indicators and producing dashboards to strengthen programme accountability and learning.
- Produce GIS maps, spatial analyses and dashboards to inform conservation planning and evidence-based decision-making for senior leadership and funding partners.
- Prepare technical reports, briefing notes and donor documentation to support programme reporting and funding processes.
- Support delivery of regional workshops, stakeholder consultations and multi-country conservation events, facilitating knowledge exchange and partnership alignment.
- Contribute to the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods (SULi) network through knowledge-sharing, communications and coordination activities.
Research Assistant – Behaviour & Human-Wildlife Coexistence
Game Rangers International
Zambia
03.2020 - 09.2024
- Implemented and supervised conservation programmes across the Greater Kafue Landscape and Lusaka National Park, integrating field research, human–wildlife coexistence interventions and conservation planning.
- Led and supervised implementation of monitoring and research activities, ensuring adherence to field protocols, data quality and timely delivery of workplans.
- Supervised field teams and volunteers, providing training, mentoring and operational oversight to ensure safe and effective delivery of field activities.
- Collaborated directly with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), local communities and conservation partners to deliver interventions and inform protected area management decisions.
- Conducted GIS and spatial analyses to identify wildlife movement patterns, corridors and conflict hotspots, producing evidence used to prioritise conservation actions and management planning.
- Managed and analysed ecological and human-wildlife conflict datasets, translating findings into practical recommendations for conservation planning and programme decisions.
- Coordinated logistics and field deployment across remote conservation landscapes, maintaining health and safety, and enabling consistent data collection.
- Contributed to donor reports, technical outputs and conservation communications for international partners and funders, supporting programme accountability and learning.
Volunteer Coordinator
Game Rangers International
Zambia
05.2019 - 02.2020
- Coordinated and supervised 100+ local and international volunteers supporting conservation monitoring, research and community outreach activities.
- Managed volunteer recruitment, induction, training, scheduling and deployment across field-based conservation programmes to maintain programme continuity and data quality.
- Organised and facilitated training sessions and team briefings for volunteers and field staff, mentoring participants in data collection and safety protocols.
- Coordinated field logistics, accommodation, transport and workplans to ensure timely delivery of conservation activities.
- Maintained volunteer records, schedules and programme documentation and contributed to activity reporting and programme administration.
Administrative Assistant
Bulk Machinery
Zambia
02.2017 - 04.2019
- Managed administrative records and organisational documentation, ensuring accurate, accessible filing and reporting.
- Coordinated meetings, schedules and administrative processes to support day-to-day operations and internal communication.
- Maintained effective communication with clients, suppliers and internal teams to support professional working relationships.
- Assisted with general office coordination and operational tasks, improving organisational and administrative efficiency.
Conservation Intern
Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Zambia
09.2016 - 01.2017
- Conducted ecological monitoring, camera-trap surveys and field data collection in protected areas to support wildlife monitoring programmes.
- Digitised and managed spatial and field data using GIS to support conservation monitoring, mapping and planning.
- Contributed to wildlife monitoring and conservation planning activities while working alongside DNPW field staff.
- Supported field teams with data management, survey preparation and documentation for conservation activities.
Education
MSc - Conservation Science
University of Kent
01.2025
BSc - Environmental Studies
Mulungushi University
01.2016
Skills
- Landscape-scale conservation management
- Protected area management
- Biodiversity stewardship
- Conservation planning (GIS & spatial analysis)
- Protected area management plan development
- Human–wildlife coexistence
- Stakeholder engagement & negotiation
- Partnership development with government & NGOs
- Donor-funded programme management & donor documentation
- Monitoring
Awards
- DICE MSc Burnett Scholarship, 2024, University of Kent
- Best Graduating Student Award, 2016, Zambia Environmental Management Agency
References
Available upon request
Publications
- Robertson, M.R., Olivier, L.J., Roberts, J., Yonthantham, L., Banda, C., et al., 2023, “Smelly” Elephant Repellent, Animals (MDPI)
- Chomba, C. & Banda, C., 2016, Elephant Damage to Woody Vegetation Selectivity, Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Health Sciences
Timeline
Conservation & Communities Intern – Human-Centred Conservation
Jamma Conservation and Communities
03.2026 - Current
Research Assistant – Behaviour & Human-Wildlife Coexistence
Game Rangers International
03.2020 - 09.2024
Volunteer Coordinator
Game Rangers International
05.2019 - 02.2020
Administrative Assistant
Bulk Machinery
02.2017 - 04.2019
Conservation Intern
Department of National Parks and Wildlife
09.2016 - 01.2017
BSc - Environmental Studies
Mulungushi University
MSc - Conservation Science
University of Kent