VACANCY ANOUNCEMENT:

CONSERVATION MANAGER – LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Vacancy: African Parks is looking for an experienced Conservation Manager for Liwonde National Park in Malawi.

Position Title: Conservation Manager, Liwonde National Park

Position role: Reporting to the Park Manager, the primary function of this role is to facilitate and manage ecological monitoring, conservation research, and data collection. The Conservation Manager will support special projects, conservation initiatives, contribute to wildlife management decisions, and lead management interventions, while also increasing the ecological and scientific understanding of Liwonde’s ecosystem. The role will also include forging research collaborations with external researchers and educational institutions, and support other departments through data sharing and collaboration. The candidate must be responsible and well-organized, documenting and filing reports on all initiatives including progress and annual reports on projects, and wildlife/ecological management plans. The Conservation Manager will be critical in supporting the development and implementation of Liwonde’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, design, and carry-out data collection to answer key ecological questions in and around Liwonde. Activities may include, but are not limited to, aerial surveys, camera trapping, ornithological monitoring, botanical surveys, animal immobilization and collaring, and meteorological monitoring.
• Improve on processes of data collection, compilation, and generation of outputs to serve management decisions, ensuring that the principle of adaptive management is followed for informing and improving the management decision-making process. Collate data received from various data collection efforts, other departments, and external sources to make more efficient how data is used to inform management decisions across the park.
• Support the development and implementation of ANP’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs.
• Devise, formalise, and implement the array of management plans in regards to key species and ecological processes, including but not limited to fire management, elephants, and huma-wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Develop and carry-out the activities needed to monitor key species, including contributing data and information to the Law Enforcement team to support the protection of wildlife in Liwonde.
• Work closely with the Community Department to examine the relationships between humans and their environment across space and time, especially focusing on grazing and water access management in coordination with relevant partners.
• Participate in activities that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in the communities through sharing of findings and contributing to educational programs.
• Work closely with government and policy makers, communities, and stakeholders to develop wide-reaching conservation plans for Liwonde and the surrounding areas to support wildlife and communities, sustainably.
• Ensure sound management of the Conservation Department to ensure activities outlined in the park’s business plan are completed, in-budget, and reported on, on-time.
• Contribute to annual budget development for conservation and research activities, and management of budget.
• Ensure the compliance with AP SOPs in all activities.
• Instil professionalism in the Conservation Department team and any staff that is worked with.
• Always meet deadlines, uphold commitments, and support other staff members whenever possible.
• Support student interns and external researchers in Liwonde. Build relationships with external educational and research institutions.

Required qualifications, competencies and experience:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Wildlife Management / Ecology / Environment or another related field.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the relevant field.
• A strong knowledge of computer programs with relevant software package ability: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and analytical software such as ARC GIS and statistical packages, with evidence of proficiency.
• Excellent written and verbal command of English. Knowledge of Chichewa will be an advantage.
• Physically fit and ability to work in remote areas.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, pay close attention to details, and produce highly accurate work.
• Relevant experience in monitoring / aerial / other types of survey methodology, including the associated equipment and technology (e.g. VHF telemetry, camera traps, GPS units, etc.) with evidence of understanding of each.
• Experience working in multi-cultural environments.
• Strong team and project management skills, and experience with planning documents and budget management.
• Clean record of conduct (no convictions).
• Valid driver’s license

Applicants should submit their CVs with covering letter. At least three traceable referees should be included. Applications should be emailed to recruitMalawi@africanparks.org by close of business on Friday 27th September, 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.