CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Position

Technical Services Supervisor

Contract Type

1-year renewable contract

Location

Nsumbu

About Us

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is a global conservation organisation that conserves wildlife and ecosystems in protected areas and outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term programmes in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. The Africa Programme is active in five focal countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (www.fzs.org). FZS has been working in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) since 1986 in North Luangwa National Park, and since 2017 in Nsumbu National Park.

The Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP) is a partnership between FZS and DNPW, dedicated to preserving the Nsumbu-Mweru Ecosystem with an initial focus on Nsumbu National Park and surrounds.

The programme has matured considerably, supporting effective protected area management through natural resource protection, structured field operations, community fisheries management, ecological monitoring, and strong community engagement and outreach. Our mission in the Nsumbu-Mweru landscape is ‘conserving landscapes, enriching lives’.

About the Role

The Technical Services Supervisor is responsible for overseeing all workshop-related activities and staff to ensure the efficient, safe, and effective operation of the workshop. The role ensures that the project fleet is maintained to a high standard, remains defect-free, and achieves minimal downtime. The incumbent will proactively manage repairs and preventive maintenance, ensure safe work practices, effective staff supervision, and strong accountability for tools, spare parts, and consumables. The Technical Services Supervisor is ultimately accountable for workshop performance, compliance, and operational outcomes.

Your Tasks

• Staff Supervision & Task Allocation - Allocate work to mechanics, artisans, and support staff, monitor attendance, productivity, and workmanship, and provide on-the-job guidance and mentoring.
• Workshop Operations Oversight - Supervise daily workshop activities to ensure jobs are completed efficiently, safely, and to the required technical standards despite logistical constraints of remote operations.
• Vehicle Diagnosis & Repairs - Carry out hands-on diagnosis, fault-finding, servicing, and repair of vehicles and equipment, including mechanical, electrical, and basic hydraulic systems, particularly where external support is unavailable.
• Fleet Maintenance Support - Assist the Field Operations Manager in planning, coordinating, and monitoring preventative and corrective maintenance for all vehicles, plant, and equipment to ensure operational readiness in a remote environment.
• Fleet Records & Reporting – Maintain accurate maintenance records, service schedules, breakdown reports, fuel usage data, and parts consumption, and submit regular reports to management.
• Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance – Enforce workshop safety procedures, tool and equipment safety, waste disposal, and environmental standards in line with organisational and statutory requirements.
• Breakdown & Emergency Response - Coordinate and participate in vehicle recovery, field repairs, and emergency maintenance, including after-hours or weekend call-outs when required.
• Supplier & Logistics Coordination - Liaise with suppliers, transporters, and the Zambia Country Office to manage procurement lead times, deliveries, and returns, taking into account remoteness and access challenges.
• Cost Control & Resource Management - Support budget control through efficient use of parts, fuel, tools, and labour, and identify opportunities to reduce downtime and operating costs.
• Operational Readiness & Continuous Improvement - Identify recurring mechanical issues, recommend improvements to maintenance practices, and support initiatives to improve fleet reliability in remote conditions.
• Ensure compliance with FZS/NTCP/Workshop policies and procedures

Your Profile

• Degree / Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering, or related technical fields.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a mechanical workshop environment, including proven experience supervising workshop operations and managing technical teams effectively, preferably in a remote setting.

Key Competencies & Attributes:

• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, automotive, and heavy machinery servicing and repairs, with proven problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and manage workshop teams effectively.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, proficiency in Bemba is an added advantage.
• Highly organised, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and work effectively in a remote environment.
• Proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

We Offer

• Engaging and meaningful work with room for your own ideas and creativity
• Opportunity to get to know impressive wilderness areas and to contribute towards their protection.
• Form part of a dynamic and motivated team as well as the larger FZS team, working to secure outstanding wild places
• A fair and competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

• Staff Supervision & Task Allocation - Allocate work to mechanics, artisans, and support staff, monitor attendance, productivity, and workmanship, and provide on-the-job guidance and mentoring.
• Workshop Operations Oversight - Supervise daily workshop activities to ensure jobs are completed efficiently, safely, and to the required technical standards despite logistical constraints of remote operations.
• Vehicle Diagnosis & Repairs - Carry out hands-on diagnosis, fault-finding, servicing, and repair of vehicles and equipment, including mechanical, electrical, and basic hydraulic systems, particularly where external support is unavailable.
• Fleet Maintenance Support - Assist the Field Operations Manager in planning, coordinating, and monitoring preventative and corrective maintenance for all vehicles, plant, and equipment to ensure operational readiness in a remote environment.
• Fleet Records & Reporting – Maintain accurate maintenance records, service schedules, breakdown reports, fuel usage data, and parts consumption, and submit regular reports to management.
• Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance – Enforce workshop safety procedures, tool and equipment safety, waste disposal, and environmental standards in line with organisational and statutory requirements.
• Breakdown & Emergency Response - Coordinate and participate in vehicle recovery, field repairs, and emergency maintenance, including after-hours or weekend call-outs when required.
• Supplier & Logistics Coordination - Liaise with suppliers, transporters, and the Zambia Country Office to manage procurement lead times, deliveries, and returns, taking into account remoteness and access challenges.
• Cost Control & Resource Management - Support budget control through efficient use of parts, fuel, tools, and labour, and identify opportunities to reduce downtime and operating costs.
• Operational Readiness & Continuous Improvement - Identify recurring mechanical issues, recommend improvements to maintenance practices, and support initiatives to improve fleet reliability in remote conditions.
• Ensure compliance with FZS/NTCP/Workshop policies and procedures

• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, automotive, and heavy machinery servicing and repairs, with proven problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and manage workshop teams effectively.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, proficiency in Bemba is an added advantage.
• Highly organised, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and work effectively in a remote environment.
• Proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

• Degree / Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering, or related technical fields.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a mechanical workshop environment, including proven experience supervising workshop operations and managing technical teams effectively, preferably in a remote setting.