African Parks is a non-profit organization that takes total responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. In May 2017, the Government of Benin entered into a long-term agreement with African Parks to revitalize, rehabilitate and develop Pendjari National Park.

Pendjari covers 4,800 km2 and is the last refuge for the region’s 1,700 elephants and 25% of the remaining 400 critically endangered West African lions. But years of poaching and unsustainable use have threatened this landscape, which in turn could cause the entire WAP complex to collapse. Our vision is to revive this landscape and rediscover the potential that Pendjari has to support both wildlife and people.

African Parks, Benin is currently seeking for a high-motivated and qualified candidate for the position of Field Operations Manager for Pendjari National Park

Role and Responsibilities:

The Field Operations Manager is responsible for all internal operations - freeing up the Park Manager to focus on external issues, strategic planning and financial duties - and assumes an acting role during his/her absence when required by the Park Manager. Key aspects of the role are as follows:

Infrastructure

· In charge of planning and overseeing all infrastructure developments (roads, drifts, bridges, fence, etc.) and maintenance in the Park and the periphery through a dedicated Infrastructure Manager,

Workshop

· In charge of overseeing all workshop activities and ensuring the functioning of APP’s fleet (vehicles, heavy-equipment, motorbikes, boats, etc.), including servicing, repairs and stock-management through a dedicated Head of Workshop.

Logistics

· In charge of overseeing the management of 3 offices (COO, Tanguiéta, Ops Base);

· Effective fleet management and administration (as a cross-check for the Workshop);

· Manage supporting logistics for all other department’s activities as required through dedicated logistics personnel and the Field Operations Assistant.

Technology

· In charge of overseeing the implementation of all technological developments and maintenance of existing systems including, but not limited to, a VHF network, the LoRa network, VSAT internet connections, Ops Room software, through a dedicated Technology Manager.

Construction & Maintenance

· In charge of planning and overseeing all construction projects in the park through a dedicated Construction & Maintenance Manager;

· Implement an effective preventative and corrective maintenance schedule of all buildings administered by the Company.

Aviation

· In charge of overseeing all aviation activities and ensuring 100% compliance with the law and African Parks SOP’s through a dedicated Aviation Supervisor.

Procurement

· In charge of overseeing all procurement activities and ensuring 100% compliance with AP’s Financial SOPs and Code of Conduct;

· Manage and predict the procurement needs of all other Departments through a dedicated Procurement Manager;

· Implement an effective and auditable inventory system for all offices;

· Manage and compile Procurement IAF’s based on a supporting annual Procurement Plan.

Law-Enforcement

· Provide logistical/operational support to the LAB (Law Enforcement) Department as required and requested

Conservation

· Provide logistical operational support to the Conservation Department as required and requested.

General/Additional Duties

· Ensure compliance with and foster an understanding of AP’s SOPs and Code of Conduct and propagate the ‘AP DNA’ at all levels;

· Contribute to the Business Plan and produce an annual Work plan and Budget, delegate responsibility, and coordinate all activities within the confines thereof;

· Implement systems and manage all required health & safety protocols, including first aid training and evacuation drills with the support of the HR Department;

· Adopt an ‘Acting’ role in the absence of the PM when required in accordance with a clear handover provided by the latter;

· Continue to build the Operations Department into a support pillar for all other Departments and facilitate excellent bilateral cooperation;

· Provide clear, concise and timely reports on a weekly and monthly basis and ensure that the Operations Department engages in exemplary communications internally and externally;

Capacity Building

· Identify talent at all levels and foster that talent through available means;

· Maintain a Department which allows for natural progression and offers the opportunity for promotion based on performance;

· Work closely with Middle-managers (Beninese & expatriate) in the Operations Department recognized as ‘rising stars’ in order to build their capacity, confidence and independence, thereby reducing the need for hands-on management;

· Gear capacity-building towards creating an Operations Team managed by Beninese citizens to the highest level possible;

· Identify a Beninese candidate to be trained into the position of Field Operations Manager within a 2-3 years’ timeframe.

Capabilities, competencies and experience needed for the job

  1. Tertiary education in a field relevant to park administration, biodiversity management, or conservation and wildlife;

  2. A demonstrable in-depth understanding of all of the relevant (park) management disciplines described above, practical abilities an advantage;

  3. Proven leadership and people management skills ;

  4. Strong personal integrity and dependability;

  5. Proven report writing skills;

  6. Demonstrable ability to mentor staff at all levels;

  7. Demonstrable experience managing and working in partnership with other organizations and authorities;

  8. Strong willingness to and experience living in a remote location;

  9. Fluent either English or French with a high proficiency in the other;

  10. Good team player and experience functioning in management teams.

This vacancy is archived.

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