Background

African Parks 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. African Parks manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Kafue National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most important conservation landscapes and is managed by African Parks in partnership with the Government of Zambia under Greater Kafue Landscape Limited (GKLL).

Job Purpose

The Operations and Conservation Supervisor (OCS) for the Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) in the Lufupa Sector is a critical frontline leadership role responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of law enforcement, conservation, and operational functions within a high-security, high-value conservation area.

The role requires an individual capable of operating independently in remote environments, making sound decisions under pressure, and taking full responsibility for operational outcomes. The OCS must demonstrate a solutions-driven mindset, strong personal integrity, and a commitment to conservation law enforcement best practice, particularly in the protection of rhino and other high-value species.

The OCS serves as a key link between field-based teams and sector leadership, ensuring that operational priorities are translated into effective, disciplined, and accountable execution on the ground.

Key Responsibilities

Law Enforcement and IPZ Operations

• Support and coordinate daily law enforcement operations within the IPZ, ensuring compliance with park regulations, AP SOPs, and national legislation
• Assist in the deployment, supervision, and logistical support of field teams, including rhino monitoring units and specialised teams
• Maintain strict oversight of law enforcement protocols, access control, and operational discipline within the IPZ
• Support incident response, reporting, and follow-up on security, wildlife crime, and operational incidents
• Uphold and reinforce high ethical standards and accountability in all enforcement activities

Conservation Management

• Lead and oversee conservation operations within the IPZ, including:
• Rhino monitoring and management
• Fire management and controlled burning programmes
• Wildlife monitoring and reporting
• Support to wildlife introductions/removals where required
• Habitat management and ecological integrity initiatives
• Manage and direct general works and fire teams, ensuring productivity, safety, and adherence to conservation objectives

Operational and Logistical Management

• Assist in coordinating logistical support to other departments, including Law Enforcement, Technical, Community, and Commercial teams
• Ensure effective asset and infrastructure management, including:
• Vehicle fleet, equipment, and tools
• Field camps and operational infrastructure
• Monitor and report maintenance requirements proactively to ensure operational readiness at all times

Staff Management and Leadership

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to assigned teams
• Allocate and monitor daily tasks, ensuring high standards of performance and accountability
• Enforce discipline in line with organisational policies and code of conduct
• Mentor and develop staff to strengthen operational effectiveness, integrity, and resilience
• Manage staff welfare and ensure adherence to safety protocols

Acting Operational Oversight

• Assume full operational responsibility for the sector/IPZ in the absence of the Field Operations Manager
• Make informed, independent decisions to ensure continuity of operations under dynamic field conditions

General

• Undertake any other lawful and reasonable duties as directed by any Field Operations Manager or Park Manager

Candidate Profile and Competencies

The ideal candidate must demonstrate:

• Ability to work independently in remote, high-pressure environments
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
• High level of personal discipline, integrity, and accountability
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage teams effectively
• Strong commitment to conservation objectives and law enforcement standards
• Ability to translate strategy into practical field operations

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or Diploma in:
• Nature Conservation
• Environmental Management
• Wildlife Management
• Forestry or related field
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant work experience (supervisory or project management experience advantageous)
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work in the field, particularly in high-value wildlife protection environments (e.g. rhino)
• Valid professional driver’s licence with no restrictions

Added Advantages:

• Heavy-duty driving, motorbike, or coxswain certification
• Experience in law enforcement or protected area operations
• Experience working in remote or high-risk conservation areas

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent English communication skills
• Strong report writing and presentation ability
• Good computer literacy (Microsoft Office)
• Physically fit and capable of working in demanding terrain and conditions

• Support and coordinate daily law enforcement operations within the IPZ, ensuring compliance with park regulations, AP SOPs, and national legislation
• Assist in the deployment, supervision, and logistical support of field teams, including rhino monitoring units and specialised teams
• Maintain strict oversight of law enforcement protocols, access control, and operational discipline within the IPZ
• Support incident response, reporting, and follow-up on security, wildlife crime, and operational incidents
• Uphold and reinforce high ethical standards and accountability in all enforcement activities
• Lead and oversee conservation operations within the IPZ, including: Rhino monitoring and management, Fire management and controlled burning programmes, Wildlife monitoring and reporting, Support to wildlife introductions/removals where required, Habitat management and ecological integrity initiatives
• Manage and direct general works and fire teams, ensuring productivity, safety, and adherence to conservation objectives
• Assist in coordinating logistical support to other departments, including Law Enforcement, Technical, Community, and Commercial teams
• Ensure effective asset and infrastructure management, including: Vehicle fleet, equipment, and tools, Field camps and operational infrastructure
• Monitor and report maintenance requirements proactively to ensure operational readiness at all times
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to assigned teams
• Allocate and monitor daily tasks, ensuring high standards of performance and accountability
• Enforce discipline in line with organisational policies and code of conduct
• Mentor and develop staff to strengthen operational effectiveness, integrity, and resilience
• Manage staff welfare and ensure adherence to safety protocols
• Assume full operational responsibility for the sector/IPZ in the absence of the Field Operations Manager
• Make informed, independent decisions to ensure continuity of operations under dynamic field conditions
• Undertake any other lawful and reasonable duties as directed by any Field Operations Manager or Park Manager

• Ability to work independently in remote, high-pressure environments
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
• High level of personal discipline, integrity, and accountability
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage teams effectively
• Strong commitment to conservation objectives and law enforcement standards
• Ability to translate strategy into practical field operations
• Excellent English communication skills
• Strong report writing and presentation ability
• Good computer literacy (Microsoft Office)
• Physically fit and capable of working in demanding terrain and conditions

• Degree or Diploma in: Nature Conservation, Environmental Management, Wildlife Management, Forestry or related field
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant work experience (supervisory or project management experience advantageous)
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to work in the field, particularly in high-value wildlife protection environments (e.g. rhino)
• Valid professional driver’s licence with no restrictions
• Heavy-duty driving, motorbike, or coxswain certification (Added Advantage)
• Experience in law enforcement or protected area operations (Added Advantage)
• Experience working in remote or high-risk conservation areas (Added Advantage)