Job Description
African Parks (AP) is a non-profit organisation that takes on direct responsibility for rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas, in partnership with governments and local communities. By adopting a business approach to conservation, supported by donor funding, African Parks aims to make each park sustainable in the long-term, thereby contributing to economic development and poverty alleviation. Currently African Parks in Malawi manages Majete Wildlife Reserve, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserves and Liwonde National Park.
African Parks – Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve invites suitably qualified, experienced and passionate Malawians to fill the following vacant position.
Position: Conservation and Research Assistant
Location : Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Reporting to: Conservation and Research Manager
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Job overview
The primary function of this role is to assist the organization and carrying-out of conservation research, data collection, and ecological monitoring. Support special projects and conservation initiatives. Contribute to increasing the ecological and scientific knowledge and understanding of the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve ecosystem. Support other departments through data sharing and collaboration.
The candidate must be responsible and well-organized, documenting and filing reports on all initiatives including progress and annual reports on projects, and wildlife/ ecological management plans. The Conservation and Research Assistant will assist in the development and implementation of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Assist with planning, designing, and carrying-out data collection to answer key ecological questions in and around Nkhotakota. Activities may include, but are not limited to, aerial surveys, camera trapping, ornithological monitoring, botanical surveys, animal immobilization and collaring, and meteorological monitoring.
- Support improving on processes of data collection, compilation, and generation of outputs to serve management decisions, ensuring that the principle of adaptive management is followed for informing and improving the management decision-making process.
- Collate data received from various data collection efforts, other departments, and external sources to make more efficient how data is used to inform management decisions across the park.
- Assist with the development and implementation of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, planning research frameworks, and monitoring programs.
- Support development and implement of an array of management plans in regards to key species andecological processes, including but not limited to fire management, elephants, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
- Support the development of and carry-out the activities needed to monitor key species, including contributing data and information to the Law Enforcement team to support the protection of wildlife in Nkhotakota.
- Work closely with the Community Department to examine the relationships between humans and their environment across space and time, especially focusing on grazing and water access management in coordination with relevant partners.
- Participate in activities that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in the communities through sharing of findings and contributing to educational programs.
- Support the Conservation and Research Manager to ensure sound management of the Conservation
- Department, ensuring activities outlined in the park’s business plan are completed, in-budget, and reported on, on-time. Contribute to annual department-level budget development for conservation and research activities, and management of budget.
- Ensure the compliance with AP SOPs in all activities.
- Instill professionalism in the Conservation Department team and any staff that is worked with. Always meet deadlines, uphold commitments, and support other staff members whenever possible.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to field technicians and interns/volunteers.
- Build relationships with external educational and research institutions.
Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum of undergraduate degree in ecology, Biodiversity conservation, Protected Area Management, wildlife conservation, or equivalent
- Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in ecology, conservation, wildlife management, or wildlife related research
- Experience of work in protected areas or National Parks or conservation projects
- Fluent in English and Chichewa
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and be flexible
- Computer literate, including Microsoft word, power point, Excel, and basic computer based statistical packages and ArcGIS
- Experience with using camera traps, VHF telemetry, handheld GPS units, and other related conservation technologies
- Outstanding and demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills
- Clean record of conduct (no convictions)
- Physically fit and able to be in field for extended periods (to undergo fitness and medical annually)
- Those with swimming skills will have added advantage Ability to work well with a culturally diverse team and exhibit high diplomacy and interpersonal skills.
- Those with a valid motor vehicle driving license will have added advantage
- Willingness to live and work full-time in a rural setting.
Applicants should submit their CVs with covering letter. At least three traceable referees should be included.
Applications should be emailed to: recruitMalawi@africanparks.org by close of business on 21st February 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted through mobile phone.
Please note that we do not engage any third parties or charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process