Background

African Parks (AP) is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. AP manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Job Overview

To manage and oversee all internal park operations, including infrastructure development and maintenance, fleet management, logistics, law enforcement, and conservation activities. Ensure succession planning is in place for a future Field Operations Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an integrated Operations plan and budget aligned with park strategy and business plans.
• Monitor and revise operational plans as required.
• Oversee infrastructure development and maintenance programmes.
• Ensure effective budget management and cost control.
• Ensure adherence to procurement procedures and contractor performance.
• Oversee Law Enforcement activities including logistics, equipment, and training.
• Oversee fleet management, ensuring compliance, maintenance, safety, and cost efficiency.
• Ensure adequate stock of fuel, spares, and operational supplies.
• Oversee logistics, procurement, and stock control systems.
• Source suppliers and negotiate pricing and contracts.
• Oversee conservation operations including wildlife translocations and monitoring.
• Coordinate aircraft usage for conservation and operations.
• Ensure compliance with African Parks policies and SOPs.
• Ensure operations teams are adequately resourced.
• Support and coach department heads.
• Build a strong value-driven team culture.
• Provide accurate operational reports to the Park Manager.

Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Financial management and budgeting skills.
• Project management skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Stakeholder relationship management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Results-oriented mindset.
• High resilience and ability to work in remote environments.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in conservation, wildlife management or similar.
• 3–5 years’ experience in similar roles and environments.
• Experience in non-profit organizations.
• Experience in multicultural environments.

African Parks is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process and do not discriminate based on gender, tribe, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected under Zambian law.

Applicants for this position must have a clean record and traceable references. Candidates must include a daytime contact number. Interested and qualified candidates must submit their CV with a cover letter describing their suitability for the role. All applicants must include at least 2 contactable references, certified copies of NRC, and relevant Qualifications.

• Develop and implement an integrated Operations plan and budget aligned with park strategy and business plans.
• Monitor and revise operational plans as required.
• Oversee infrastructure development and maintenance programmes.
• Ensure effective budget management and cost control.
• Ensure adherence to procurement procedures and contractor performance.
• Oversee Law Enforcement activities including logistics, equipment, and training.
• Oversee fleet management, ensuring compliance, maintenance, safety, and cost efficiency.
• Ensure adequate stock of fuel, spares, and operational supplies.
• Oversee logistics, procurement, and stock control systems.
• Source suppliers and negotiate pricing and contracts.
• Oversee conservation operations including wildlife translocations and monitoring.
• Coordinate aircraft usage for conservation and operations.
• Ensure compliance with African Parks policies and SOPs.
• Ensure operations teams are adequately resourced.
• Support and coach department heads.
• Build a strong value-driven team culture.
• Provide accurate operational reports to the Park Manager.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Financial management and budgeting skills.
• Project management skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Stakeholder relationship management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Results-oriented mindset.
• High resilience and ability to work in remote environments.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in conservation, wildlife management or similar.
• 3–5 years’ experience in similar roles and environments.
• Experience in non-profit organizations.
• Experience in multicultural environments.