Conservation Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Conservation Manager will be responsible for leading and implementing BANP’s marine conservation priorities, providing technical and strategic leadership across marine and terrestrial habitats, marine biodiversity, fisheries, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, ecological monitoring, applied research and conservation planning.

The role will ensure that management decisions are informed by sound science and translated into practical management actions that support the long-term ecological integrity of BANP and the wider Inhambane seascape.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Technical leadership of conservation and implementation of BANP’s conservation strategy.
• Fisheries management and marine megafauna conservation.
• Coral reef management, monitoring and restoration.
• Seagrass restoration and habitat recovery.
• Ecological monitoring and applied research on coral reefs, seagrass meadows, dugongs, turtles, coastal fisheries and marine megafauna.
• Planning and implementation of periodic aerial surveys and other ecological monitoring methodologies.
• Management of relationships with ANAC, government authorities, coastal communities, conservation organisations, donors, research institutions and technical partners.
• Leadership, supervision and mentoring of the conservation team and technical partners.
• Preparation of technical reports, donor inputs, budgets, work plans and recommendations to Park Management.
• Translation of ecological findings into practical recommendations for management, law enforcement, operations and tourism.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the preparation, implementation, monitoring and review of BANP’s conservation strategy, annual work plan and technical priorities.
• Ensure that marine and terrestrial conservation interventions are integrated, properly scheduled, budgeted and implemented in accordance with approved priorities.
• Coordinate monitoring systems for fisheries, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, dugongs, turtles, marine megafauna and other relevant ecological indicators.
• Use monitoring and research data to develop practical recommendations for adaptive management, law enforcement, zoning and habitat recovery.
• Lead coral reef health assessments, restoration interventions and programmes for the recovery of seagrass meadows and other habitats.
• Coordinate aerial surveys and other monitoring methodologies for key species, ensuring appropriate safety, licensing, data quality and reporting.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with government authorities, communities, research institutions, technical partners, donors and conservation organisations.
• Support project proposals, budgets, donor reports, business plans, concept notes and technical communications related to conservation.
• Ensure legal, ethical, licensing, safeguarding and safety compliance across research, monitoring and restoration activities.
• Supervise the conservation team, set objectives, provide feedback, identify capacity-building needs and promote continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Marine Biology is required. Preference will be given to candidates with a postgraduate qualification in Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Marine Ecology, Conservation Biology or a related field.
• At least five years of solid experience in fisheries management and marine megafauna conservation, fisheries monitoring, community-based fisheries interventions and applied natural resource management.
• Demonstrated experience in coral reef monitoring, ecology, management and/or restoration.
• Demonstrated experience in seagrass restoration, habitat monitoring, restoration planning and assessment of ecological outcomes.
• Professional experience on the East African coast, preferably in Mozambique or the Western Indian Ocean region.
• Experience working in marine protected areas, coastal conservation programmes or seascape-scale conservation initiatives.
• Strong skills in scientific writing, data analysis, GIS or spatial analysis, project management, budgeting and reporting.
• Experience working with government, coastal communities, technical partners, donors and multidisciplinary field teams.
• Ability to work effectively in remote and demanding marine environments, demonstrating a high level of integrity, sound judgement, professional discipline and commitment to safety.
• Fluency in spoken and written Portuguese and English.
• Strong leadership skills, resilience and flexibility.
• Experience in aerial surveys will be an advantage.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary.
• Positive and professional working environment.
• Social benefits in accordance with the organisation’s policies.

SAFEGUARDING AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

African Parks Network does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process and does not recruit through agents.

African Parks has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and expects all employees to uphold high ethical standards, protect the integrity and reputation of the organisation, and comply with policies designed to safeguard nature and people.