Two years

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Location: Banhine National Park, Mozambique

BACKGROUND

Peace Parks Foundation is a non-profit company established to facilitate the development of Transfrontier Conservation Areas in southern Africa. Peace Parks is currently supporting the development of conservation areas in Mozambique through partnership agreements with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).

PROFILE

We are looking for a highly qualified professional with solid experience in operational management and the development of conservation areas. This professional should have a strategic and practical profile, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, implement operational plans and drive the sustainable development of Banhine National Park. The professional will be part of the Park’s Management Committee, in close collaboration with the Park Administrator, and will work closely with the park’s various operational departments, ensuring cohesion in the execution of activities, efficiency in the management of resources and alignment with established strategic objectives.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Operations and Development is required to support the management and development of Banhine National Park as part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The position shall be within the Park Management Committee along with the Park Administrator and will work under the overall guidance of ANAC, Peace Parks and the Park Directive Committee, working closely with each of the park’s operational departments.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the conservation of a network of globally significant coastal and marine protected areas and their sustainable use zones by i) enhancing ecosystem services that ii) contribute to reducing climate change risks for vulnerable communities. To achieve this, the project will:

• Improve resources, instruments and capacities for Marine Protected Area management and sustainable use;
• Increase the resilience of infrastructure and the built environment to climate change;
• Strengthen adaptive capacity and reduced exposure to climate risks;
• Rehabilitate degraded coastal ecosystems;
• Enhance climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods for communities;
• Enhance knowledge, expertise and capacity of relevant national agencies to use ecosystem-based adaptation approaches for coastal zone management;
• Strengthen institutional and regulatory systems for climate-responsive planning and development.

Performance areas:

Specific key performance areas will include:

• Ensure that the management and development of the park is aligned with strategic and park management plans.
• Ensure that the departments are effectively managed and annual budget and work plans of the various programmes are developed and implemented, namely Administration and Finance, Human Resources, Counter Poaching, Community Engagement, Public Relations, Conservation, Operations and Logistics, Tourism, Infrastructure Development and Maintenance, and will support Transfrontier Conservation Area development and liaison.
• Undertake full project management responsibilities of all park projects, programmes and donor programmes.
• Development of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports.
• Management of key procurement and tender processes.
• Support the development of funding proposals and provision of public relations materials and information.
• Support the management of the Park’s reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems and safeguard implementation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• At least ten years’ experience in a senior management role with operations and project management experience.
• Experience in a conservation context will be advantageous but not essential, but candidates must show a passion for and knowledge of the conservation sector.
• Preferably with a degree in the natural sciences, project management or business management fields.
• Good English language skills (written and verbal) while working knowledge of and/or ability to speak Portuguese will be highly advantageous.
• Financial management skills are essential, with a strong understanding of budget management.
• Skills in negotiating, analytical skills, excellent interpersonal communications, project management, experience in procurement, and management of consultants and contractors are all considered essential.
• An understanding of and / or experience in the management, planning and development of conservation areas with specific understanding of and / or experience in counter-poaching, community engagement and infrastructure programmes will be highly advantageous.
• Experience in management, liaison, monitoring and evaluation, compliance and reporting on large foreign donor programmes, as well as experience in working with government structures and in Mozambique or a similar environment, as well as in a Transfrontier landscape is highly advantageous.
• A pilot’s licence for a Savannah will be an advantage.
• Ability and willingness to live in remote conditions is a prerequisite.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a Curriculum Vitae, with full address, telephone number, email address and contact details of at least three contactable references. These should be submitted by 21 April 2025.

A competitive salary package will be negotiated, based on qualifications and experience.

Applications should be submitted to Human Resources.

Email: mozapplications@peaceparks.org

We appreciate the time and effort taken by all applicants in expressing their interest in this role. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration. If you do not hear from us within 3 weeks from the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We encourage you to apply for future opportunities that match your skills and experience.