Background

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. The organisation manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries, covering over 20 million hectares across Africa.

Greater Kafue Landscape Limited (GKLL), in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), manages Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s largest national parks, covering approximately 22,480 km².

GKLL is seeking an experienced Conservation Resource Protection Advisor to strengthen the implementation of the Park’s law enforcement strategy and ensure the effective protection of wildlife and park resources.

Purpose of the Position

The Conservation Resource Protection Advisor will provide technical guidance, operational support and mentorship to strengthen the Park’s law enforcement capacity and address evolving conservation threats. The role will focus on patrol planning and deployment, intelligence and investigations, recruitment and training, and the development of specialised operational units.

The successful candidate will work closely with Park Management, DNPW, Field Operations Managers, Area Wardens and other stakeholders to improve operational readiness, accountability and professional standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Joint Operations Command and oversee the effective functioning of the Law Enforcement Centre, ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Review and strengthen patrol planning, deployment strategies and operational procedures.
• Coordinate recruitment, selection and training, including basic, refresher, advanced and specialised programmes.
• Develop and deliver training in leadership, instructor development, K9 operations, medical response, rapid deployment, human rights and use of force.
• Conduct scenario-based exercises to improve operational readiness and decision-making.
• Support the planning, briefing, execution and debriefing of law enforcement operations.
• Enhance the effectiveness of mobile patrols, the K9 Unit, Rapid Deployment Team, Rhino Monitoring Unit and Intelligence and Investigations Unit.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Area Wardens, Field Operations Managers, patrol leaders and law enforcement personnel.
• Support intelligence gathering, investigations and the follow-up of judicial processes arising from law enforcement activities.
• Support the implementation of patrol performance monitoring, bonus and incentive schemes.
• Promote effective staff management, motivation, discipline and professional development.
• Oversee the procurement, maintenance, management and accountability of law enforcement equipment.
• Ensure regular physical fitness and operational competency assessments.
• Promote teamwork, integrity, confidentiality and compliance with professional and ethical standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships with DNPW, security agencies, judicial services and other conservation partners.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications, experience and attributes:

• At least 10 years of proven operational experience in conservation law enforcement, preferably in a large protected area where rhino protection is a core priority.
• Extensive experience in anti-poaching operations and the management of law enforcement teams in a rhino protection environment.
• Demonstrated experience in aerial tactical operations and the integration of aerial support into ground operations.
• Proven experience in establishing, managing and operating a K9 Unit in a large protected area.
• Strong skills in operational planning, patrol deployment, intelligence, investigations and law enforcement training.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff, develop leadership capacity and improve operational performance.
• Sound tactical judgement and decision-making in challenging operational environments.
• Good physical fitness and the ability to meet the demands of field-based operations.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to teamwork and respectful staff management.
• High levels of integrity, discipline and confidentiality, with the ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.
• Proficiency in GPS, digital VHF radio, InReach and other relevant communication and navigation tools.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• A genuine commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental protection.
• A willingness to learn, adapt and contribute to continuous improvement.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be disciplined, trustworthy and solutions-oriented, with sound judgement, resilience and discretion. They should be able to work effectively in a demanding conservation environment and foster a motivated, competent and cohesive law enforcement team.

• Support the Joint Operations Command and oversee the effective functioning of the Law Enforcement Centre, ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Review and strengthen patrol planning, deployment strategies and operational procedures.
• Coordinate recruitment, selection and training, including basic, refresher, advanced and specialised programmes.
• Develop and deliver training in leadership, instructor development, K9 operations, medical response, rapid deployment, human rights and use of force.
• Conduct scenario-based exercises to improve operational readiness and decision-making.
• Support the planning, briefing, execution and debriefing of law enforcement operations.
• Enhance the effectiveness of mobile patrols, the K9 Unit, Rapid Deployment Team, Rhino Monitoring Unit and Intelligence and Investigations Unit.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Area Wardens, Field Operations Managers, patrol leaders and law enforcement personnel.
• Support intelligence gathering, investigations and the follow-up of judicial processes arising from law enforcement activities.
• Support the implementation of patrol performance monitoring, bonus and incentive schemes.
• Promote effective staff management, motivation, discipline and professional development.
• Oversee the procurement, maintenance, management and accountability of law enforcement equipment.
• Ensure regular physical fitness and operational competency assessments.
• Promote teamwork, integrity, confidentiality and compliance with professional and ethical standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships with DNPW, security agencies, judicial services and other conservation partners.

• Operational planning and patrol deployment
• Intelligence gathering and investigations
• Anti-poaching operations
• Aerial tactical operations and integration of aerial support into ground operations
• Establishing, managing and operating a K9 Unit
• Law enforcement training, leadership and instructor development
• Staff mentorship and leadership capacity development
• Tactical judgement and decision-making
• Written and verbal communication, including report writing
• GPS, digital VHF radio, InReach and other communication and navigation tools
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Physical fitness and operational competency

• At least 10 years of proven operational experience in conservation law enforcement, preferably in a large protected area where rhino protection is a core priority.
• Extensive experience in anti-poaching operations and the management of law enforcement teams in a rhino protection environment.
• Demonstrated experience in aerial tactical operations and the integration of aerial support into ground operations.
• Proven experience in establishing, managing and operating a K9 Unit in a large protected area.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to teamwork and respectful staff management.
• High levels of integrity, discipline and confidentiality, with the ability to work independently.
• A genuine commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental protection.
• A willingness to learn, adapt and contribute to continuous improvement.