Benin: Field Operations Manager - Pendjari National Park, Benin

Job overview

The Field Operations Manager is responsible for all internal operations, freeing up the Park Manager to focus on external issues, strategic planning and financials. Key aspects of the role are as follows:

Infrastructure

• In charge of overseeing all infrastructure developments and maintenance in the park as well as the periphery via the infrastructure development and building managers
• In charge of overseeing all budgetary and cost control actions in regard to infrastructure developments
• In charge of overseeing all tender calls as well as contractor executions in regard to infrastructure developments

Fleet Management

• In charge of overseeing vehicle fleet management via workshop manager, which includes licenses, permits, services, fuel and oil management, spares stock, safety, operation procedures (SOP), and technical upgrades.
• In charge of overseeing all stock management procedures including monthly checks of spare parts tools and fuel consumption via the stock manager.
• In charge of overseeing the maintenance of the aircraft fleet via the pilots, which includes licenses, permits, services, fuel and oil management, spares stock, safety and operation procedures (SOP), technical upgrades, etc.;
• In charge of overseeing the maintenance, safety and discipline of workshops and hangars.

Logistics

• In charge of overseeing all infrastructural as well as fleet management purchases and orders
• In charge of negotiating costs as well as overseeing transport for equipment ordered to the park and ensure procedures according to SOPs have been followed for purchase and delivery as well as storage.

· In charge of ensuring regular (minimum monthly) checks on stores with stock manager, and ensure all stores relating to fleet management as well as infrastructure development is in order and well organised.

Law enforcement

· In charge of overseeing law enforcement activities via Law enforcement manager

· Ensure all necessary logistic is in place to fully support law enforcement activities

· Ensure purchase of all necessary equipment for LE teams

Conservation

· In charge of overseeing all conservation activities in the park via Conservation assistant

· Be responsible for translocation operations, animal monitoring and tracking activities, plan the use of the aircraft for conservation, law enforcement activities and other field related operations;

· Provide field support to research partners, filming companies, and others.

Other

• In charge of overseeing ration purchases and orders.

· In charge of overseeing cantine development, maintenance and management.

· Ensure work descriptions are established or each position under the FOM supervision (following organogram), have it approved by the PM and signed as understood by the employee.

· Develop long term planning regarding activities for each department in order to support them effectively with the required logistics.

· Organizes all labour efficient and effectively and coach team leaders in their jobs

· To undertake other duties as assigned by the PM even if outside of duties as per this job description.

· The FOM will stand in as Project Manager when the Project Manager is on leave or away from the project.

What success looks like in 5 years

· A fully operating park including effective law enforcement

· Fully functional and well maintained vehicle fleet

· Fully functional and well maintained aviation fleet

· Business plan and work plans are established and followed

· Stocks and purchases are well managed and followed

· Fully coordinated conservation activities in the park ensuring that all partners are pushing in the same direction.

Capabilities, competencies and experience needed for the job

1. Tertiary education in a field relevant to park administration, biodiversity management, or conservation and wildlife

2. Demonstrable experience in one or all of the following park management disciplines: technical (construction, mechanics, fence building, fence maintenance, water systems, solar), conservation (game relocations, veterinary, conservation knowledge or training), law enforcement (field experience, field management, law enforcement techniques, law enforcement technologies)

3. Good leadership and people management skills Strong personal integrity and dependability

4. Good report writing skills

5. Demonstrable ability to mentor staff at all levels

6. Demonstrable experience managing and working in partnership with other organizations

7. Strong willingness to live in a rural setting and experience living in remote locations.

8. Fluent English and French (written and spoken) Good team player and experience in management teams

Key relationships

• Park Manager

• Local authorities

• External constructors

• External research organizations Other members of the management team

Qualified applicants are invited to send their application files (detailled CV mentioning three references + cover letter) in a single PDF format.

rhpendjari@africanparks.org