Resource Protection Manager

Job description

About the Project

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is a global conservation organisation conserving wildlife and ecosystems in protected areas and outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term programmes in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. The Africa Programme is active in five focal countries, and has been working in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) since 1986 in North Luangwa National Park, and since 2017 in Nsumbu National Park.

The Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP) focuses on resource protection, field operations, ecological monitoring, endangered species recovery, and community engagement in governance, livelihoods, and Human-Wildlife Coexistence. With Nsumbu National Park’s ecosystem on the path to recovery, key milestones include the return of lions in 2024 and a planned black rhino reintroduction. NTCP is exploring extension opportunities within the broader Nsumbu-Mweru ecosystem.

About the Position
The NTCP has an opportunity for a Resource Protection Manager (RPM). This role will focus on progressing a holistic resource protection strategy that supports the NTCP mission of Conserving Landscapes, Enriching Lives.
The RPM will support effective front-line protection of the protected area assets and integrity by overseeing an integrated approach to law enforcement operations across the landscape, utilising all available equipment, technology and information in an effective and efficient manner. The elevation of the Tanganyika Boat Unit (Marine & Terrestrial) will be central to securing a future rhino population protected by a dedicated team based on integrity, discipline, accountability and honesty aligned with the NTCPs Core Leadership Values. A broadening footprint of successful conservation will need a strategic approach to navigate the complex landscape of units, investment, partners, threats and needs that is essential to maintain an expanding area of impact under the NTCP.
Your Tasks

The RPM will be responsible for the day-to-day management support, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement of resource protection through ranger-led conservation efforts, supporting the Nsumbu Area Management Unit (NAMU). The RPM will ensure that law enforcement is intelligence-led, risk-informed, and professionally executed in line with best practice, and is responsible for:

Leading and adapting law the enforcement strategy by implementing NTCP’s 5-Year Plan and guiding annual reviews to ensure effective, intelligence-led operations.
Strengthen team performance through mentoring, accountability, and ensuring professionalism, legality, and integrity in all field operations.
Coordinate protection efforts by integrating technology, intelligence, and training, and serving as a key liaison among field teams, NTCP leadership, DNPW, and partners.

Coordinating effective field patrols: Oversee and support an effective and adaptive resource protection strategy to maximize effective coverage of the protected areas. To achieve this will require innovative tools, strong leadership and integrity that needs to be ingrained from the bottom up of the protection field ranger teams. Measuring effectiveness and impact will be critical to show gains over time. 
 
Improved information exchange and management: Ensure all data and information management follows the FAIR principle (findable, accessible, interoperable, re-usable); and that robust systems are developed and implemented to support information rich, adaptable decision making in law enforcement. 
Training and skills development: Design, develop and implement continuous training and learning culture in the resource protection unit that addresses critical needs and skills, reduces skill fade, and is meeting best practice.
Partnerships: Develop and maintain productive relations with management, national authorities and other landscape partners and stakeholders. 

Systems and procedures: Manage and improve all law enforcement, operational and planning systems and procedures, ensuring sustainability is build into skill development. 
 
Risk Management and Compliance: Lead operational risk management, reporting, compliance and accountability in the resource protection department. 

Your Profile
Education and experience: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in conservation biology, analytics, environmental science, or a related field; preferably with 5 years of experience in protected area management.
Proficiency: Strong skills in computer software, tools and techniques required for project management and law enforcement planning and execution)
Attention to detail for high levels of situational awareness, ensuring organisational efficiency, time management and emotional intelligence.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with a diverse array of teammates, stakeholders and partners with extended periods in the field.
Must be comfortable living in a remote part of Zambia in close proximity to wildlife, with limited social interactions for extended periods
We Offer
Contract: 2-year renewable with a probation period.
Salary: Competitive and based on experience and qualifications.
Opportunities:
Join an innovative team on the front line of exciting conservation opportunity on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Lead the rollout of the Nsumbu Tanganyika Law Enforcement Strategy for Nsumbu National Park.
Develop the required security and standards for a successful black rhino reintroduction in Nsumbu within the next 3 years.
Your Application
Please send a cover letter including your salary expectations and your earliest possible starting date and a chronological CV in PDF format. The application deadline is 11th July 2025.
About us
Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is an internationally operating conservation organisation based in Germany that has been supporting conservation projects in Africa, South America, South East Asia and Europe for many decades. Following our mission to conserve wildlife and ecosystems we are focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places.