The posting
About The Project:
Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is an international conservation organisation dedicated to conserving wildlife and ecosystems in some of the world’s most outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term conservation programmes in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe.
The Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP) is a partnership between the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), working to secure the integrity of the Nsumbu-Tanganyika landscape for present and future generations.
The programme is growing geographically and operationally, with work extending across the wider Nsumbu-Mweru landscape and preparations for the planned reintroduction of black rhino.
About The Position:
NTCP is looking for an experienced, practical and solutions-focused Field Operations Manager to help drive the next phase of growth of one of Zambia's long-term protected-area conservation programmes.
This is not primarily a desk-based management position.
We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable developing an annual operational plan, examining costs and maintenance records, working through a difficult infrastructure problem with a site team, challenging an inefficient system, and developing supervisors to take greater responsibility.
The Field Operations Manager (FOM) will lead and coordinate field operations, infrastructure, workshop, fleet and maintenance functions across the programme.
The role will have particular responsibility for NTCP's growing vehicle and boat fleet, workshop operations, infrastructure development and maintenance, the Rhino Sanctuary and Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ), fire management, stores and logistics, and operational support to law enforcement.
Your Tasks:
- Lead the Field Operations Department in accordance with the NTCP organisational structure, strategy and programme objectives.
- Develop departmental strategies, annual work plans, budgets, KPIs, SOPs, policies and operational reports.
- Provide strategic oversight of NTCP's vehicles, boats, motorcycles and associated transport assets.
- Oversee development and maintenance of the approximately 500 km² Rhino Sanctuary and Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ).
- Develop and implement an infrastructure development and preventative maintenance plan covering existing and anticipated NTCP requirements.
- Provide strategic leadership for NTCP's fire-management programme.
- Oversee procurement of workshop spares, construction materials, consumables and other operational requirements.
- Oversee workforce deployment and productivity to ensure operational targets are achieved efficiently.
- Coordinate logistical, fleet and operational support provided to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) within the NTCP mandate.
- Mentor and develop Zambian staff, strengthening supervisory and leadership capacity and creating opportunities for progressively greater responsibility.
Your Profile:
We are interested in applicants who can show that they have actually managed complex field operations, rather than simply supported them. You may come from conservation or protected-area management, engineering, construction, logistics, fleet management or another demanding remote operational environment. The successful candidate will combine technical understanding with strong management ability.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, logistics years, protected-area management, conservation, natural resource management or another relevant discipline.
- Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in field operations, infrastructure, fleet, logistics, protected-area management or a comparable operational environment, including at least 5 years in an operational management or supervisory role.
- Strong practical understanding of motor vehicle and heavy-equipment maintenance and repair.
- Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in road construction and maintenance, preferably including rural or protected-area road networks.
- Experience planning and supervising infrastructure construction and maintenance, including contractors, materials, budgets, Bills of Quantities and works programmes.
- Proven project and operational management experience, including work planning, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
- Demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff and managing sizeable operational workforces.
- Experience working and living successfully in a remote and culturally diverse environment.
We Offer:
- Engaging and meaningful work contributing to biodiversity conservation.
- Opportunity to get to know impressive wilderness areas and to contribute towards their protection.
- Supportive and professional working environment.
- Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Your Application:
If you are passionate and ready to take on this challenge, please submit your Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages) with a maximum two-page motivation letter.
Applicants should use their motivation letter to provide specific examples from their own experience demonstrating how they have improved operations, solved significant field or technical problems, led and developed teams, and delivered results where budgets, people, equipment or time were constrained.
For each example, applicants should clearly explain the situation, their personal role and decisions, the actions they took, and the results achieved.
Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate practical experience through clear evidence of results.
Applicants should include three (3) traceable referees with a brief description of the working relationship and contact details. The appointment is subject to the submission of ZAQA-certified qualifications.
Application Deadline: 18th November 2026
To apply, click Apply for this Job below.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
