Job Details

Job Description

This project is a partnership between the Africa Range-Wide Cheetah Conservation Initiative (CCI), supported by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), The Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and field-based NGOs Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), Zambian Carnivore Program (ZCP), and Conservation South Luangwa (CSL).

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) works in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) through the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP) to protect and conserve the North Luangwa landscape. The NLCP supports effective and efficient protected area management, with a wider focus on empowering communities to manage natural resources in the Game Management Areas adjacent to the park. The NLCP’s mission ‘Linking livelihoods and landscape’ seeks to address key challenges by taking holistic approaches for more resilient socio-ecological systems.

Purpose of the Job

FZS Zambia is seeking a well-qualified Project Manager to field-manage all aspects of a new three-year project to assess the possibility for cheetah restoration into the Greater Luangwa Ecosystem in Zambia. The project will encompass significant site security and community engagement activities prior to and alongside the potential translocation, release, and monitoring of cheetah.

The successful candidate will be expected to manage all aspects of this project including project administration, financial management, stakeholder engagement and communication, technical oversight and implementation, capacity development, and knowledge management, with the support of the NLCP.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Project administration including workplan development and implementation, logistics and oversight of construction projects, recruitment, adherence to HR, financial management, administration and procurement policies, oversee organisation of meetings, workshops and trainings, support and align with current NLCP work in the landscape, and ensure effective and timely reporting.
• In collaboration with the NLCPs Landscape Integration Unit, develop and implement a ‘Living in Cheetah Landscapes Small Grant Fund’.
• Strategic stakeholder engagement and communication through the development of strategic plans, and the coordination and facilitation of the signing of a cooperative management partnership.
• Improve site security and access, promote landscape connectivity, and provide community support for wildlife conservation through a co-management governance system. Work towards assessing the suitability of the area for cheetah, and if suitable, facilitate the translocation, release and monitoring of cheetah.
• Oversee the financial management of the project budget, procurement, and audits.
• Ensure capacity development within the project with respect to an Assistant Project Manager, as well as other project personnel, ensuring the promotion of gender mainstreaming and the identification and development of conservation talent.
• Support all knowledge management through the coordination, development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework, with a focus on baseline livelihood surveys, effective collaborations with scientific institutions, and ensure effective reporting and communication of results.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of an MSc degree in wildlife management or conservation, or equivalent qualification
• Minimum 5 years direct field experience working in African ecosystems alongside local communities
• Proven project management experience in Africa, and preferably Zambia
• History of living in a remote and challenging location in Africa
• Experience producing timely, high-quality reports (evidence required)
• Experience in engaging and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience in field operations (roads, fences, workshops, solar systems)
• Experience leading multi-cultural teams and managing their motivation and performance valid pilot’s licence and experience flying small planes.
• The following are desirable: experience in conservation data management, experience working with large carnivores and cheetah specifically, and ability to communicate in local languages

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent budget keeping and financial accounting
• Strong organisational skills
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
• Excellent community engagement skills and workshop/ meeting facilitation experience
• Good understanding of the challenges faced by communities in landscapes like Munyamadzi GMA
• Able to efficiently and effectively adapt and respond to challenges and changing situations and find practical ways forward
• The following are desirable: proficiency in GIS, a strategic thinker, awareness of national, regional and international policies relevant to large carnivore conservation, knowledge of landscape ecology and animal movement behaviour

Additional requirements

• Valid passport and driving licence accepted in Zambia
• Willingness to travel internationally
• Willingness to work flexible hours in variable environments
• Committed to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusivity, integrity and innovation

Your application should include a chronological CV in PDF format and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) including your earliest possible starting date and expected package. The cover letter will be used to judge the quality of your application and should answer the following:

• What interests you most about the position?
• Describe your experience and suitability to the role.
• What are the most important personal attributes and technical skills that you will bring to the role?
• Do you have any experience in the conservation of large carnivores?
• Detail your experience working in remote landscapes with local communities.
• Three traceable references with a short description of your working relationship, and their contact details.

Any applications clearly drafted using AI writing assistants (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) will not be considered.

Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered for the position. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please submit applications to [email protected] . Ensure the subject line in your email application states “Project Manager – Cheetah Restoration”.