Pilot

Job description

About the Project
Frankfurt Zoological Society conserves wildlife and ecosystems focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term conservation programmes in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. The Africa Programme is FZS’s largest and oldest and is active in five focal countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe (www.fzs.org). FZS Zambia (FZS ZM) has been active in the North Luangwa Ecosystem since 1986 and Nsumbu since 2017, working to conserve these globally important wilderness areas. FZS ZM supports effective and efficient protected area management, focusing on law enforcement, conservation education and empowering communities in GMAs to manage their own resources. FZS ZM continues to seek to expand its activities both geographically and thematically.Zambia Job Market
About the Position
This Position offers a unique opportunity to join FZS Zambia and contribute directly to conservation impact through aviation. The Pilot will support the safe and efficient transportation of FZS employees, consultants, donors, and collaborating partners, enabling essential conservation, research, and protection activities across Zambia’s remote project sites.
The role is based in Lusaka, with the majority of flying involving bush operations in challenging and remote environments. This includes regular deployments to field sites, often requiring overnight stays with basic amenities. The successful candidate will be safety-driven, adaptable, and comfortable operating in wilderness conditions while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and regulatory compliance.
Your Tasks
Conduct safe, professional, and fully compliant flight operations in accordance with all applicable aviation regulations and organisational standards.
Ensure you interact with your passengers appropriately by welcoming all passengers to the aircraft, providing a safety briefing and flight briefing for each flight.
Hands-on approach to flight operations, which will include but not be limited to the direct supervision and oversight on loading of bags, passenger handling and all refuelling supervision
Have a basic knowledge of aircraft maintenance, ensuring the airworthiness of the aircraft with the ability to clearly communicate with engineers remotely, record and interpret aircraft snags or areas needing work via the correct channels only, including where necessary engagement with the Civil Aviation Authority and the relevant Aircraft Maintenance Organisation.
Plan and coordinate movements of yourself and passengers, if necessary, between base camps and airfields, accommodating existing vehicle movements and availability.
Maintain the flight schedule and ensure a viable alternative is arranged and communicated when unable to fly.
Ensure the cleanliness of the aircraft within the cabin between all flights, and externally daily with cleaning organised as required.
Your Profile
Aviation qualification from an accredited institution.
Minimum of 300 hours of flight experience.
Valid CAA Commercial Pilots Licence
Valid CAA-endorsed Medical
Valid ratings for any aircraft you are requested to fly by FZS
Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with field teams, programme managers, and aviation support staff to achieve operational and conservation objectives. Willing to share information, support colleagues, and contribute to problem-solving in dynamic environments.
Planning & Organisation: Strong capability to plan and organise complex flight operations while managing multiple tasks. Able to assess operational requirements, set priorities, manage time effectively, and ensure resources are used efficiently.
Problem Analysis: Demonstrated ability to identify operational issues, interpret relevant information, and analyse potential causes to support safe and effective decision-making in the field.
Initiative: Proactive and self-driven, with the ability to recognise opportunities, anticipate challenges, and take appropriate action without the need for constant supervision.
Flexibility & Adaptability: Highly adaptable and resourceful, with a positive approach to change. Willing and able to operate in remote locations and adjust plans in response to evolving operational and environmental conditions.
We Offer
Engaging and meaningful work with room for your own ideas and creativity.
Opportunity to get to know impressive wilderness areas and to contribute towards their protection.
Form part of a dynamic and motivated team as well as the larger FZS team, working to secure outstanding wild places.
A fair and 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 and Cover Letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation by using the link provided.
Include three (3) traceable references with a short description of your working relationship and their contact details. Appointment is subject to submission of ZAQA-certified qualifications.
Application Deadline: Friday, 6th February 2026.

Note: Due to a high volume of applications, we will only contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

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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.