Conservation Manager - Gambella National Park

Gambella National Park is located in Ethiopia’s Gambella region and covers 4,500 km². The park forms part of the largest wildlife migration in the Africa much of which is in the adjacent Boma and Badingilo National Parks in South Sudan.

Job Description

Position role:

The primary purpose of the Conservation Manager role is to be responsible for developing, managing and implementing conservation and habitat management strategies within and around the GNP and align these to APN protocols and strategies to efficiently inform management decisions through the following:

Key Responsibilities:

• Pursue an adaptive management planning process to launch and inform monitoring programme in context of GNP forming part of the Greater Nile Migration;
• Coordinate closely with the conservation departments in South Sudan to contribute to the conservation approach in the Great Nile Migration Landscape;
• Carry out monitoring surveys for large mammal (SRF) and predator species;
• Write research papers, reports, and scholarly articles that guide management (the Park Manager, Park Management Unit and EWCA) and assist for greater understanding and better management of the Landscape;
• Manage a student programme linked to both international and local universities;
• Identify corridors and game areas around GNP where wildlife can move through and assist in working this through to the completion of a Land Use Plan;
• Drive the development and eventual formal gazetting of an important conservation area adjacent to GNP.
• Develop, implement and monitor fire management, elephant and predator management plans in line with Regional and Internationally relevant plans;
• Give presentations on research findings to academics, Government and the general public;
• Develop conservation plans and make recommendations to the park on management issues regarding wildlife conservation and for policymakers and the general public;
• Plan, design, and carry-out data collection to answer key ecological questions in and around GNP.

Job Requirements

Required qualifications, competencies and experience:

• Excellent English writing and communication skills with extensive publication record;
• A PHD in Wildlife Management/Ecology/Environment with proven field and academic experience;
• A comprehensive knowledge of savannah/grassland conservation practices and principles, human wildlife conflict management and protected area management;
• Experience in conservation policy development and conservation planning;
• Relevant experience in monitoring/aerial/other types of survey methodology an important factor;
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in this relevant field;
• Previous experience in working in Ethiopia with government and NGO’s are an advantage.
• Driver’s License;
• Physically fit and ability as well as a strong desire to work in a remote area;
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, pay close attention to details and produce highly accurate work;
• A strong computer with relevant software package ability: Word, excel, Power Point, and analytical software such as ARC GIS and other databases.

Skills Required:

• Environmental / Natural / Resource
• Hotel / Tourism