Field Operations Manager

Background :

African Parks Network is a non-profit organisation that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. By adopting a business approach to conservation, supported by donor funding, we aim to make each park sustainable in the long-term, thereby contributing to economic development and poverty alleviation. We currently manage 22 parks in 12 countries – Angola, CAR, Chad, Republic of Congo, DRC, Malawi, Rwanda, Benin, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia, South Sudan – with a combined area of more than 14 million hectares.

Base: ENCR headquarters at Fada, West Ennedi Region, North-East Chad

Supervises: All the logistic, terrestrial and aerial Operations. He supervises the Infrastrutures and garage staff, procurement, the head of technical, mechanical, carpentry, drivers and all related activities.

Job overview: The FOM is a key element of the ENCR Management Unit. He is in charge of the coordination of all internal operations, communication, including infrastructure development & maintenance, fleet (vehicle / aircraft /etc) management, logistics, etc. in the ENCR.

Key functions:

• Design, budget and execute construction projects according to contracted terms and to the correct standard;

• Actively manage all contractors on site;

• Ensure a proper functioning radio communications and Earth Ranger system.

• Logistics management, workshop management, construction, maintenance & repair of project equipment and infrastructure (buildings and fence), airstrips and mechanical assets;

• • Work closely with the Park Management Unit to ensure their equipment needs are met so that their operations run smoothly;

• Source suppliers & negotiate prices and terms within the AP procurement policy;

• Ensure effective stock control and storage management systems are in place;

• Participate in infrastructure and fleet procurement;

• Oversee transport and/or storage of deliveries to the park;

• Ensure all relevant licenses / permits for all vehicles are in place;

• Ensure fleet serviced and maintained according to a preventative maintenance schedule and operated to reduce cost and risk;

• Ensure fleet replacement as per the replacement schedule;

• Promote a culture of safety amongst staff operating vehicles and machinery.

• Implement the decisions of the Park Manager and Deputy Park Manager;

In conjunction with the Head of Law Enforcement and Park Ranger support the law enforcement and intelligence activities;

• Provide leadership through participation to ensure a well-motivated and effective LE team that can ensure area integrity;

• Ensure necessary logistical support is in place to enable LE function

• Ensure LE team adequately equipped and all materials are regularly upgraded.

according to AP SOP’s;

• Promote and maintain good working relationships with all colleagues of the ENCR;
• Provide reports and record keeping.
• Provide field support to research partners and others as required.
• The FOM will ensure the adherence to the African Parks Standard Operating Procedures in all activities under his control.

Capabilities, competencies and experience needed for the job:

• Demonstrable ability to mentor staff, leadership and people management skills;
• Demonstrable experience at technical level technical (construction, mechanics, fence building & maintenance, water systems, solar, workshop management; communications systems, etc.;
• Demonstrate good knowledge of conservation problematics in term and anti-poaching, monitoring of biodiversity;
• Experience working in Sahelo-Saharan areas would be a + ;
• Fluent in French and in English (spoken), Arabic knowledge would be a +.
• Experience in non-profit organizations
• Experience working in multi-cultural environment
• Good communication skills
• Good financial management skills
• Strong project management skills
• Analytical skills
• Stakeholder relationship management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong team leadership skills
• Results oriented
• Highly resilient – must be able to work in remote and challenging environments