Conservation Synergies (CS) is seeking a Project Implementation Manager to be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the project “Developing evidence- based approaches to improve financial literacy and reduce ranger indebtedness in priority Protected Areas” (PAs). The initiative will explore systemic issues including debt traps, online gambling, scamming, identity theft, and credit accessibility, while developing evidence-based interventions to support rangers in achieving financial stability.

This is an ambitious project with a tight timeline and CS need a delivery-based manager to test approaches and report on results. This is new and novel work and the role requires a unique blend of project management execution, exceptional interpersonal skills, strong analytical capability, learnability and drive for social impact.

Responsibilities or duties

Project execution:

• Ability to meticulously plan, organise and execute project deliverables.
• Develop and maintain detailed work plans and activity schedules – translate the agreed project workplan into a concrete delivery schedule aligned with the grant period.
• Monitor project progress and prepare regular status reports.
• Lead the establishment and functioning of an expert group on ranger financial wellbeing, including scheduling, agendas, minutes and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate the design, piloting and documentation of site-level financial literacy and indebtedness interventions in at 2-3 priority PAs, including plans, training schedules and simple monitoring frameworks.”
• Plan and coordinate endline data collection in participating sites, working closely with CS technical staff and site partners.

Key deliverables:

• Consolidated implementation workplan with milestones and responsibilities for all Outcomes, refined with CS team and partners, within one month of contract start.
• At least two expert group meetings convened and documented.
• Intervention plans for each agreed site, with stakeholder roles, timelines, and simple M&E indicators.
• Inputs to RRF progress reports and a short internal ‘implementation learning note’ capturing what is working and what needs adjustment.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to coordinate busy people, successfully encouraging them to fulfil their agreed-upon roles. This must be done politely, diplomatically, and collaboratively.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions as required.

Research and writing:

• Conduct research on financial issues affecting rangers, including online gambling, debt mechanisms, credit systems, and financial scams.
• Gather, analyse, and synthesise information from multiple sources.
• Produce well-referenced, evidence-based written outputs including briefing notes, case studies, and reports.
• Identify emerging issues and trends relevant to ranger financial wellness.

Relationships and reporting

• Reports to: CS Managing Director with close collaboration with the CS Technical Lead and Grants & Operations Director.
• Works closely with: Site-based PA leadership, HR/wellness focal points, and financial literacy partners (e.g. local training providers, NGOs, or financial institutions).

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Education

• Degree in conservation with a strong interest behavioural sciences/behavioural economics OR
• Degree in behavioural sciences/behavioural economics with a strong interest in conservation.

Experience needed

Experience

• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience
• Proven project management experience: Must have been responsible for implementing and managing a project. Applicants must provide project budget size, direct management responsibility, and referee details for verification.
• Demonstrated research and writing capability: Applicants must submit a writing sample – a well-referenced research piece that demonstrates analytical thinking and clear communication.
• Experience working in or with conservation organisations, PAs, or allied sectors (e.g. rural development, community conservation, law enforcement) is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with sensitive topics such as indebtedness, staff welfare, or integrity / misconduct issues will be an advantage.
• Experience in applying ethical research and data management protocols.

Knowledge and interests (essential)

• Strong interest in conservation and the wellbeing of people working in conservation.
• Understanding of or genuine interest in financial issues affecting individuals (debt, credit, banking systems).
• Awareness of financial challenges such as debt traps, online gambling, scamming, identity theft, and predatory lending practices.
• Interest in behavioral economics and how financial decisions impact individuals and organisations.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will be assessed on three key competency areas:

1. Project management ability: Planning, organising, and delivering project activities on time and to standard.
2. Interpersonal and diplomatic skills: Engaging stakeholders professionally, motivating participation, and managing relationships tactfully when people are busy or facing competing priorities.
3. Research and analytical thinking: Gathering information, conducting research, analysing complex issues, and producing well-written, well-referenced outputs.

Attributes required include:

1. High levels of discretion and integrity – for dealing with confidential personal financial or integrity-related information.
2. Self-discipline and excellent communication skills – to work independently in a virtual and multi-country context, with proactive communication and self-management.
3. Learnability – to be able to absorb new skills and ways of working and start working with them immediately.
4. Emotional awareness and empathy – to be able to connect with and understand field rangers’ situations without imposing external values and judgements.

DURATION AND LEVEL OF EFFORT

• Six month fixed term contract requiring 20 hours per week.
• A deliverables-based contract and fee will be agreed with the successful consultant.
• The role is primarily home-based but will likely require short field trips within Southern Africa to at least one or two project sites.
• The CS team works remotely so you will need to be self-motivated and able to work from home and deliver timeously. We regularly meet virtually and in-person whenever possible.

• Ability to meticulously plan, organise and execute project deliverables.
• Develop and maintain detailed work plans and activity schedules – translate the agreed project workplan into a concrete delivery schedule aligned with the grant period.
• Monitor project progress and prepare regular status reports.
• Lead the establishment and functioning of an expert group on ranger financial wellbeing, including scheduling, agendas, minutes and follow-up actions.
• Coordinate the design, piloting and documentation of site-level financial literacy and indebtedness interventions in at 2-3 priority PAs, including plans, training schedules and simple monitoring frameworks.
• Plan and coordinate endline data collection in participating sites, working closely with CS technical staff and site partners.
• Consolidated implementation workplan with milestones and responsibilities for all Outcomes, refined with CS team and partners, within one month of contract start.
• At least two expert group meetings convened and documented.
• Intervention plans for each agreed site, with stakeholder roles, timelines, and simple M&E indicators.
• Inputs to RRF progress reports and a short internal ‘implementation learning note’ capturing what is working and what needs adjustment.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to coordinate busy people, successfully encouraging them to fulfil their agreed-upon roles. This must be done politely, diplomatically, and collaboratively.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions as required.
• Conduct research on financial issues affecting rangers, including online gambling, debt mechanisms, credit systems, and financial scams.
• Gather, analyse, and synthesise information from multiple sources.
• Produce well-referenced, evidence-based written outputs including briefing notes, case studies, and reports.
• Identify emerging issues and trends relevant to ranger financial wellness.

• Project management execution
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical capability
• Learnability
• Drive for social impact
• Meticulous planning, organisation, and execution of project deliverables
• Developing and maintaining detailed work plans and activity schedules
• Monitoring project progress and preparing regular status reports
• Leading the establishment and functioning of an expert group
• Coordinating the design, piloting, and documentation of interventions
• Planning and coordinating data collection
• Exceptional communication skills
• Ability to coordinate busy people
• Polite, diplomatic, and collaborative communication style
• Facilitating meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions
• Conducting research
• Gathering, analysing, and synthesising information
• Producing well-referenced, evidence-based written outputs
• Identifying emerging issues and trends
• High levels of discretion and integrity
• Self-discipline
• Excellent communication skills
• Learnability
• Emotional awareness and empathy

• Degree in conservation with a strong interest behavioural sciences/behavioural economics OR Degree in behavioural sciences/behavioural economics with a strong interest in conservation.
• Proven project management experience: Must have been responsible for implementing and managing a project.
• Demonstrated research and writing capability: Applicants must submit a writing sample – a well-referenced research piece that demonstrates analytical thinking and clear communication.
• Experience working in or with conservation organisations, PAs, or allied sectors (e.g. rural development, community conservation, law enforcement) is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with sensitive topics such as indebtedness, staff welfare, or integrity / misconduct issues will be an advantage.
• Experience in applying ethical research and data management protocols.
• Strong interest in conservation and the wellbeing of people working in conservation.
• Understanding of or genuine interest in financial issues affecting individuals (debt, credit, banking systems).
• Awareness of financial challenges such as debt traps, online gambling, scamming, identity theft, and predatory lending practices.
• Interest in behavioral economics and how financial decisions impact individuals and organisations.