Job Opening: Conservation Manager

Location: Kafue National Park

Department: Habitat

Reports to: Park Manager; Regional Conservation Manager

Organisational Overview

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation focused on the long-term rehabilitation and management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks currently manages 24 National Parks and protected areas across 13 countries, covering more than 20 million hectares.

Kafue National Park (KNP), located in central-western Zambia, is the country’s largest and oldest national park, spanning 22,480 km² within a 68,000 km² ecological landscape. As part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, it safeguards the Kafue River system vital for water supply, hydropower, agriculture, and the Kafue Flats wetland. The park hosts exceptional biodiversity, including 159 mammal species, over 500 bird species, Africa’s highest antelope diversity, and globally important habitats such as Ramsar-listed wetlands, floodplains, and miombo woodlands. Since African Parks assumed management in 2022, KNP has seen improvements in security, infrastructure, species recovery, and preparations for black rhino reintroduction in 2026, despite ongoing challenges such as historical wildlife declines, fire management issues, remote terrain, and human wildlife conflict. Kafue National Park operates a 24/7 Control Room that serves as the nerve centre for park-wide operations, law enforcement coordination, and emergency response.

Position Background and Purpose

The Conservation Manager will lead, coordinate, and implement ecological monitoring, research, and conservation management activities within Kafue National Park. The role includes developing and managing research collaborations, improving data systems that support science-based decision making, and strengthening understanding of the Kafue ecosystem.

This role involves implementing scientifically informed conservation programs, species reintroduction projects, and building strong collaborations with local and national partners to support ecological restoration and long-term sustainability. As a senior member of the management team, the Conservation Manager plays a critical role in driving conservation excellence, maintaining ecological integrity, and contributing to the park’s overall management objectives.

Key Performance Areas (KPAs)

1. Conservation Strategy and Implementation
2. Develop, manage, and oversee the biodiversity and conservation department in alignment with the Business Plan.
3. • Ensure the LTSS is aligned with the Business Plan and integrated into operational decision-making.
4. • Plan and implement ecological monitoring programmes including aerial surveys, camera trap surveys, ornithological and botanical monitoring, collaring, species monitoring and biodiversity assessments.
5. • Maintain and improve the ecological database for the Greater Kafue landscape.
6. • Oversee mapping and spatial data needs to support conservation planning and reporting.
7. Habitat Management
8. Plan and manage species reintroduction projects.
9. • Guide restoration initiatives for species lost locally and support ecosystem recovery.
10. • Update and oversee fire and carnivore and other management plans to maintain ecological resilience.
11. Leadership and Team Development
12. Provide strong leadership and mentorship to the Park Management Unit (PMU).
13. • Promote a values based culture and effective teamwork.
14. • Support recruitment and development of local talent as per the Partnership Agreement.
15. Research and Partnerships
16. Establish and oversee a research framework supporting conservation priorities.
17. • Strengthen existing research partnerships and develop new national/international collaborations.
18. • Coordinate research partners to ensure scientific rigor and alignment with park priorities.
19. • Conduct conservation studies supporting the parks LTSS.
20. • Publish scientifically sound reports and peer reviewed articles promoting KNP’s conservation work.
21. Financial and Revenue Management
22. Ensure strict adherence to financial management procedures and maintain fiscal discipline.
23. Reporting and Compliance
24. Deliver accurate monthly departmental reports to park management, donors and Biodiversity and Science support department.
25. • Ensure compliance with African Parks Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
26. • Produce scientifically sound documentation for all key activities in the Business Plan.

Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills, Knowledge, Abilities) 

Required 

• Minimum Masters Degree in ecology, wildlife management, conservation biology, or related field. 
• Minimum 5 years of protected‑area conservation or ecological research experience. 
• Experience working in African savanna protected areas. 
• Fluency in English. 
• Ability to work independently in remote field conditions. 
• Strong computer literacy (MS Office, GIS, statistical software such as R, python). 
• Experience with telemetry, camera traps, GPS units, and conservation technologies. 
• Budget management experience. 
• Strong leadership and communication skills. 
• Physically fit for extended fieldwork. 
• Valid driver’s licence with 4x4/off‑road experience. 
• Clean record of conduct. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and supporting documents via the Hire platform by the advertised closing date which is 15th May 2026. Incomplete or incorrectly uploaded applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

African Parks is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a and inclusive recruitment process and do not discriminate based on gender, tribe, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected under Zambian law.