Technical Services Manager

Reports to: Manovo Gounda Saint Floris Park Director
Location: Bamingui Bangoran & Manovo Gounda National Parks
Country Program: Central Republic
Scope: Site
Position Type: Full-Time

About Us
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a private, nonprofit U.S. organisation founded in 1895. Its mission is to preserve wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, developing science-based solutions, and taking conservation action that benefits nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, a presence in more than 60 countries, and experience in creating more than 150 protected areas around the world, WCS has accumulated the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships necessary to ensure that wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organisations, this knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life for poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct use of natural resources.

Country Programme Overview:
In December 2018, WCS signed a partnership agreement with the Central African Republic (CAR) government to manage the North-Eastern CAR Protected Area Complex, which covers 115,000 sqm. In June 2023 the complex was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Since 2019 WCS launched a multi-faceted, long-term program entailing park management, law enforcement, and community engagement within the Bamingui-Bangoran and Manovo-Gouda St. Floris National Parks. WCS aims to secure and protect the NPAC’s remaining wildlife populations and the wild places and natural resources that support and sustain the local people and their livelihoods.

Job Summary
The WCS-RCA Programme Logistics and Infrastructure Department is central to the success of this conservation programme and its functions include park infrastructure, base and equipment management, procurement asset management and fleet management.
The Technical Services Manager will play a key role in working closely with Park Management, Infrastructure and Logistics managers and staff on advising and supporting parks and remote site equipment maintenance requirements.

S/he will be responsible for all matters related to the preventative and corrective management of vehicles, equipment and machinery; managing the garages and ensuring that the vehicle and motorbike fleets, boats and all equipment and machinery are kept in top condition at all times; ensuring that minimum stock levels of key parts and equipment are maintained to enable service continuity in the field; support technical emergencies in the complex; ensure that all communications, energy and water installations are maintained at high standards;

The position will initially be based in Bamingui Bangoran National Park, and there will be significant travel to Manovo Gounda National Park and within the complex.
In two years’ time, success in this role will be defined by: maintenance of a high-quality fleet of vehicules and equipment, with low breakdown rates, well managed usage and maintenance tracking, good recovery times after breakdowns, all maintenance standards respected, staff base increased and well trained.

Responsibilities

• Managing all garage and maintenance teams throughout the complex
• Gradual training of assistants, that can take over running of garages and equipment, under the supervision of the Technical Services Manager.
• Ongoing control, preventative and corrective maintenance of all vehicles, motorbikes, boats, trucks and all other equipment to high standards of operation and functioning, through training, controls and clear procedures.
• General Automotive Repairs for all vehicle types (petrol and diesel vehicles), boat/kayaks/bikes, including panel beating & spray painting, upholstery, automotive electrical repairs and conducting fault diagnostics as needed, managing preventative maintenance schedules, and holding staff accountable for effective utilization.
• Ability to fix a variety of general equipment and appliances e.g. chainsaws, generators, water and waste plants, geysers, fridges.
• Garage stock, fuel and lubricant supply and asset management and control in line with Logistics Manager
• Productivity Analysis and Reports
• Managing and increasing machine productivity
• Supporting the maintenance of all bases and staff accommodation to high standards, with preventative and regular maintenance plan and budget, when the Infrastructure manager is unavailable or on leave.
• Training garage staff in tool making and Steel manufacturing and on-site equipment repairs.

Management responsibilities

• Management skills including staff management, leave planning and performance appraisals for garage and maintenance teams.
• Ability to support logistics functions at any time.
• Mentoring and training, performance appraisals
• Garage parts management, quality, and cost control
• Build a solid ethical team that bonds and works well with all other team members of all departments.
• Supporting and acting in place of Park Management, as required.

Skills and Qualifications Required

• Significant experience in maintaining and rebuilding vehicles, motorbikes, boats, trucks and road maintenance equipment.
• A good understanding of general maintenance, carpentry, construction, electrical (1 & 3 phase), solar, plumbing, bulk services / water and waste management an advantage.
• Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) training and experience.
• Experience with tool making and spray painting an advantage.
• 5+ years of experience in similar positions throughout Africa
• Ability to speak/communicate in French and English. Sango or Arabic an advantage.
• Valid international driver’s license
• Computer Skills (MS Office Suite)
• Experience in managing a technical services or mechanical maintenance department including stores controls.
• Team management and leadership experience
• Problem Solving Skills