Conservation Manager

Description

• Position Description: This position will oversee the development and implementation of data led conservation strategies and plans including fire management and wildlife research and monitoring, the development of law enforcement strategies and plans to be implemented by the law enforcement department, the equipping and training of personnel involved in law enforcement and other field work, the development of SOPs for areas of responsibility, the management, monitoring and updating of conservation technologies such as EarthRanger and SMART, and the management of the vehicle fleet and workshop for Niassa Special Reserve (NSR). The position reports to the NSR Field Operations Manager
• Position Profile: This position requires an experienced, mature and practically minded individual with the ability to develop strong relationships at all levels. With an extensive background in protected area management and in conservation strategies, plans, and technologies, and in fleet management, the individual will have the discipline to use and embed best practice management tools and systems, and to confidently lead a diverse team as well as work through other departments to achieve results. This position requires a proven background in protected area management in Africa, and a commitment to transfer skills and knowledge to national staff
• Place of work: Niassa Special Reserve, Mozambique (Headquarters at Mbatamila, Mecula District, Niassa Province)
• Reporting to: Field Operations Manager
• Liaison: Warden, Law Enforcement Manager, Business and Tourism Manager, Community Conservation Manager, Human Resources Manager, and Finance Manager
• Supervision: Research and Monitoring Coordinator, SMART technicians, EarthRanger controllers, Fleet & Workshop Manager, and others
• Position type: Two-year contract, renewable dependent on performance, funds and government approval
• Conditions: Terms and conditions of employment as detailed in employment contract
• Expected travel: The position is expected to travel as necessary within Niassa Special Reserve, as well as to undertake some national and international travel, as required
• Executive Role: Senior member of the NSR Project Management Unit (with the Warden, Field Operations Manager and other Department heads)

Duties

General

• Conservation
• Overseeing the development, implementation and review of the NSR Management Plan and other conservation strategies and plans for Niassa Special Reserve, including species monitoring and management
• In collaboration with other departments, with emphasis on the Community Conservation Department, overseeing the development, and implementation and review of the NSR fire management plan
• Overseeing the planning, implementing and reporting on wildlife monitoring in the NSR in partnership with other departments, operators and partners
• Managing all the technological aspects of Reserve operations, including the implementation and management of SMART and EarthRanger, TrailGuard, VHF radio systems, ITC support, vehicle and patrol tracking systems, and satellite communications; providing training on said systems for staff; and monitoring of the systems to ensure that all data sources are optimally used to enhance the NSR law enforcement (LE) and conservation presence within the Reserve
• Develop quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports in all related Biodiversity Conservation issues in the NSR
• Law Enforcement
• Supporting the LE Manager with Ops Room planning and logistics, including firearm and scout equipment maintenance and replacement
• Supporting the LE Manager with analysis of data, development of conservation strategies and patrol plans, and capacity building of the Reserve scouts to achieve quarterly and annual targets, whilst still responding and adapting to changing situations on the ground
• Supporting the LE Manager with the preparation and briefing of patrol deployments including the development of SOPs and conducting training with the relevant staff
• Supporting the LE Manager to ensure compliance with SOPs and monitoring to ensure effective operations, with particular attention to the optimisation of the use of technologies
• Assist the LE Manager in attaining NSR compliance with ANAC and WCS LE protocols with regards to LE operations and activities
• Line manage the NSR Lawyer to ensure the effective prosecution of those committing wildlife crimes, and the effective monitoring and analysis of legal data
• Fleet & Workshop
• Oversee the Reserve fleet and workshop so that these effectively and efficiently serve the logistical requirements of the NSR staff and visitors according to agreed standards and operating procedures.

Management

• Mentoring & Supervision
• Support all NSR staff that use technological tools, such as SMART and EarthRanger, in their daily work (including mentoring, supervision, performance management and staff development)
• Ensure a positive working environment to maintain motivation and commitment within your team
• Ensure all staff members in field operations are equipped with the appropriate tools and equipment and clothing to perform their job
• To train Mozambican nationals to perform these duties with the aim of developing Mozambican national capacity
• Implement and uphold Reserve management policies, procedures and internal regulations
• Operate in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Mozambique, the Reserve internal regulations, and the policies and procedures of WCS Mozambique
• Maintaining productive communications with all parties, including internal communications with the Field
• Operations Manager, the Warden, team members, other Department and Unit heads, and external communications with all Reserve partners and concessions operators to leverage synergies and maximise effectiveness, and to reduce conflicts
• Strengthening policies, procedures and systems and ensuring compliance to optimise the use of technologies in NSR
• Collaboration
• Maintain excellent communications and coordination with the Warden, Field Operations Manager, LE Manager, Business and Tourism Manager, Community Conservation Manager, HR Manager and Finance Manager
• Build relationships, and coordination and communication mechanisms, with the operators and relevant local authorities and communities, working in close liaison with the Field Operations Manager, on Reserve-wide technological developments, communication systems and logistics
• Planning & Reporting
• Assist the development of the NSR annual operations plan and budget that is submitted to the Reserve Management Committee for approval
• Prepare and submit monthly reports as per the agreed reporting schedule and in response to donor/grant project documents, budgets, targets and objectives
• Strategy: Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of all NSR strategies and contribute actively to continuous improvement to achieve better results

Requisites

• More than ten years of experience leading, developing, and managing programs/large-scale projects
• More than ten years in practical protected area development and management of technical operations and with proven results in installation, data recovery, implementation, training and mapping to provide accurate assessment of information and capability to optimise the use of field resources
• University degree in Wildlife Management or equivalent in other qualifications and/or experience
• Knowledge in current trends in conservation and natural resource protection, experience and proven ability in applying this knowledge to set and achieve conservation priorities
• More than five years’ experience in developing the technical and operational capacity of a of scout team
• Demonstrated capacity in the development and operations of monitoring platforms such as EarthRanger and SMART
• Demonstrated experience in MS Office (particularly Word and Excel), QGIS, SMART, DAS systems, Garmin, VHF Management software. Ability to manipulate, analyse and interpret data
• Strong supervisory and team management experience, including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrated experience in successfully building the skills and knowledge of others
• Knowledge of and experience with evaluation and governance processes for programs/projects
• Skilled at building consensus with conservation partners and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to independently initiate, structure, negotiate and manage complex agreements, and to resolve complex issues that involve multiple program areas
• Willingness and ability to rapidly gain an understanding of the institutional and legal framework of the environment and conservation in Mozambique, as well as of relevant policy issues
• Fluency in English. Swahili and/or Portuguese an advantage—willingness to learn if not
• Excellent presentation and written/oral communication skills
• Ability to foster an environment of creativity and professional growth, commitment to working collegially with staff, conservation groups, and governmental organizations in a professional and diplomatic manner
• Flexibility, optimism, good humour, passion for excellence, self-motivated to achieve a collective purpose

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted