About African Parks

African Parks is a nonprofit conservation organisation that manages protected areas in partnership with governments and communities across Africa. The organisation is committed to upholding human rights and safeguards, including transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Bangweulu Wetlands is a community-owned protected area in north-eastern Zambia, jointly managed by African Parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and six Community Resource Boards (CRBs). Spanning approximately 6,000 km² of floodplains, swamps, and woodlands, the wetlands support exceptional biodiversity, including the endemic black lechwe and the vulnerable shoebill, while sustaining the livelihoods of approximately 60,000 local residents.

Position Purpose

The Conservation Manager will lead the development and implementation of all conservation, research, monitoring, and habitat management strategies within Bangweulu Wetlands. The role ensures that high-quality scientific data is collected, analysed, and effectively used to inform management decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to management on anti-poaching planning and patrol deployment.
• Lead and manage the biodiversity and conservation department in line with the business plan.
• Oversee budget planning and expenditure, ensuring strict compliance with organisational procedures and SOPs.
• Implement the park’s monitoring programme, ensuring accurate collection and management of biodiversity data.
• Establish and implement a research framework addressing key conservation gaps.
• Supervise monitoring activities including aerial surveys, camera trapping, biodiversity surveys, telemetry, hydrological and fisheries monitoring, and meteorological data collection.
• Collaborate with the community department to analyse human-environment interactions, particularly around fisheries, water management, and wildlife dynamics.
• Design and implement conservation studies to support law enforcement, tourism, and commercial development.
• Plan and manage species reintroduction and translocation projects (including cheetah and other priority species).
• Maintain and strengthen ecological databases for the greater Bangweulu landscape.
• Develop and sustain strategic conservation and research partnerships at national and international levels.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports and technical, scientifically sound documentation on all conservation activities.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, or a related field, a Masters being an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in protected area conservation or ecological research.
• Proven experience in African savanna ecosystems; freshwater ecosystem experience is an advantage.
• Strong computer literacy, including MS Office, GIS, and statistical software such as R.
• Hands-on experience with telemetry, camera traps, GPS units, and other conservation technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and departmental leadership.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently in remote and challenging environments.
• Physically fit for extended fieldwork.
• Valid driver’s licence with 4x4/off-road driving experience.
• Clean record of conduct.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

• Provide technical support to management on anti-poaching planning and patrol deployment.
• Lead and manage the biodiversity and conservation department in line with the business plan.
• Oversee budget planning and expenditure, ensuring strict compliance with organisational procedures and SOPs.
• Implement the park’s monitoring programme, ensuring accurate collection and management of biodiversity data.
• Establish and implement a research framework addressing key conservation gaps.
• Supervise monitoring activities including aerial surveys, camera trapping, biodiversity surveys, telemetry, hydrological and fisheries monitoring, and meteorological data collection.
• Collaborate with the community department to analyse human-environment interactions, particularly around fisheries, water management, and wildlife dynamics.
• Design and implement conservation studies to support law enforcement, tourism, and commercial development.
• Plan and manage species reintroduction and translocation projects (including cheetah and other priority species).
• Maintain and strengthen ecological databases for the greater Bangweulu landscape.
• Develop and sustain strategic conservation and research partnerships at national and international levels.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports and technical, scientifically sound documentation on all conservation activities.

• Strong computer literacy, including MS Office, GIS, and statistical software such as R.
• Hands-on experience with telemetry, camera traps, GPS units, and other conservation technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and departmental leadership.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently in remote and challenging environments.
• Physically fit for extended fieldwork.
• Valid driver’s licence with 4x4/off-road driving experience.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

• Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, or a related field, a Masters being an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in protected area conservation or ecological research.
• Proven experience in African savanna ecosystems; freshwater ecosystem experience is an advantage.
• Clean record of conduct.