Field Operation Manager

Description

• The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit organization established in 1895 and based in New York, that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With presence in more than 60 countries, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. The WCS Mozambique program is located within and managed by the WCS East Africa, Madagascar & Western Indian Ocean (EAMWIO) region, through our Africa hub in Kigali, Rwanda
• The Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) in northern Mozambique is one of Africa’s largest (42,300 km2), wildest, and most spectacular protected areas. It is connected to the Selous Game Reserve (SGR, 55,000 km2) in southern Tanzania by the Selous-Niassa corridor and remains connected by a natural corridor of forestry concessions to the Quirimbas National Park (7,506 km2) to its east on the coast of northern Mozambique. NSR is one of Africa’s largest contiguous wilderness areas and is comprised of 17 concessions managed for private and non-profit purposes. WCS and Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC) co-manage NSR from a base in Mbatamila, located roughly in the center of NSR. The Niassa Field Operations Manager (FOM) will support the ANAC-appointed Reserve Warden through the overall management and delivery of WCS’s activities in the reserve
• This position will play a pivotal role in NSR, providing overall management and oversight of WCS field staff in NSR from the base in Mbatamila, including direct supervision of team leaders specializing in operations and logistics, rights and communities, and science and monitoring. The NSR FOM is also responsible for managing aviation support provided by WCS to the reserve. They will contribute to fundraising and reporting and ensure high quality delivery on grants

Duties

• Provide overall management oversight for all components of WCS’s responsibilities in the co-management of NSR in line with approved plans, policies, and budgets, including the direct supervision of WCS technical teams and coordination with implementing partners, grantees; and management of WCS assets
• Ensure timely delivery of workplans, outputs, and performance indicators in alignment with both WCS’s strategic priorities and the project’s long-term objectives
• Create a positive working environment for WCS staff in the Reserve, lead and motivate the WCS staff to consistently achieve high standards of performance, and create an organizational culture based on performance, accountability, transparency, and goal achievement to ensure that organizational objectives are achieved and staff achieve high levels of job satisfaction
• Lead the development, execution, and monitoring of annual and multi-year workplans and budgets, ensuring that all WCS activities, staffing, and resource allocations directly support NSR objectives and institutional priorities
• Coordinate implementation of all activities closely with the NSR Warden (ANAC), local government, and concessionaires, and maintain strong collaboration with all stakeholders operating in the Reserve to ensure alignment
• Provide strategic direction and collaborate with the NSR Warden and ANAC on law enforcement, including oversight of section camp operations and the collaboration with other departments to ensure plans are achieved
• Provide training on standard operating procedures that are complete, fit for purpose and in compliance with WCS, ANAC, and best industry standards. Support ANAC in management of revenues received by NSR through proper financial controls and alignment with the overall NSR budget
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required (including reports to the Warden and ANAC), in collaboration with the Country Director, Director of Conservation Programs, Monitoring and Evaluation Staff, Finance Manager, and relevant field staff
• Assist the Country Director, Director of Conservation Programs and other staff where necessary with the development, implementation, and review of plans for WCS’s activities in NSR and the national program Oversee and control all fiscal management functions for WCS’s work in NSR, including the preparation, approval, and administration of site-level budgets, sub-grants, contracts, and any cash-for community mechanisms. Ensure full financial accountability and compliance with WCS, donor, and government regulations
• Establish and enforce robust financial and operational systems that promote transparency, efficiency, and risk management, supporting the effective implementation of WCS activities in NSR and the sustainable growth of program staffing and partnerships
• Lead implementation of NSR’s risk identification, mitigation, and compliance with ESG standards, donor requirements, and WCS policies
• Oversee human rights, child protection, and security safeguards, including implementation of Human Rights strategy, Security Management Plan delivery, and adherence to VPSHR and child protection protocols
• Carry out any other duties as may be assigned from time to time
• If an expatriate, provide guidance and training to a Mozambican national to allow for adequate skills transfer

Requisites

• Minimum Requirements and Job Skills:
• More than ten years of professional experience relevant to working in remote, complex, on-the-ground conservation situations in developing countries, ideally with experience in Mozambique
• Strong supervisory and team management skills, including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives, and levels of education, and to manage staff in these contexts
• Skills in engaging stakeholders with different interests and building consensus, particularly with government, NGOs, local communities, and private sector partners
• Knowledge and interest in current trends in conservation and natural resource management in Africa and Mozambique
• Demonstrated ability in financial management and budget implementation
• Demonstrated experience in MS Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks
• Excellent leadership, team management, and cross-cultural communication skills
• Preferred requirements:
• Self-motivated, disciplined and able to work in rudimentary and remote camps for long periods of time
• Flexibility, optimism, good humor, passion for excellence, self-motivation in reaching a collective aim
• Advanced university degrees in an appropriate field
• Professional proficiency in English and Portuguese

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Reports to: Niassa Special Reserve Warden (NSR) and WCS Mozambique Director of Conservation Programs
• Positions managed: NSR Community Conservation Manager, NSR Financial Manager, NSR Wildlife and Monitoring Manager, NSR HR Manager; NSR Logistics & Infrastructure Manager, NSR Conservation Manager
• Position Type: Full-Time
• Scope/Capacity: Niassa Special Reserve, Mozambique
• WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share the same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories
• It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities
• The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies