Conservation Manager

Conservation Manager Jobs in Bangweulu Wetlands

African Parks, in partnership with local communities and government agencies, is seeking a dedicated Conservation Manager to lead conservation efforts at Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia. This role is ideal for professionals passionate about biodiversity and ecological research, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to one of Africa’s most important wetland ecosystems.

About Bangweulu Wetlands and African Parks

Bangweulu Wetlands is a community-owned protected area located in north-eastern Zambia, covering approximately 6,000 km² of diverse habitats including floodplains, swamps, and woodlands. It supports rare and endemic species such as the black lechwe and the vulnerable shoebill, while sustaining the livelihoods of around 60,000 local residents. The area is jointly managed by African Parks, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and six Community Resource Boards (CRBs).

African Parks is a nonprofit organisation committed to managing protected areas across Africa in collaboration with governments and communities. The organisation upholds strict human rights standards, transparency, and zero tolerance for exploitation and abuse.

Role Overview: Conservation Manager Jobs in Bangweulu Wetlands

The Conservation Manager will be responsible for directing all conservation, research, monitoring, and habitat management activities within the Bangweulu Wetlands. This role ensures scientific data is rigorously collected and analysed to inform effective management decisions that support biodiversity conservation and sustainable community livelihoods.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on anti-poaching strategies and patrol coordination.
• Lead the biodiversity and conservation department aligned with the business plan.
• Manage budget planning and expenditure in compliance with organisational standards.
• Implement and oversee the park’s biodiversity monitoring programme.
• Develop and execute a research framework to address critical conservation knowledge gaps.
• Supervise monitoring activities including aerial surveys, camera trapping, telemetry, fisheries and hydrological monitoring, and meteorological data collection.
• Collaborate with community teams to analyse human-environment interactions affecting fisheries, water management, and wildlife.
• Design conservation studies supporting law enforcement, tourism, and commercial initiatives.
• Plan and oversee species reintroduction and translocation projects, including cheetah and other priority species.
• Maintain and enhance ecological databases for the Bangweulu landscape.
• Build and maintain strategic conservation and research partnerships at national and international levels.
• Prepare monthly and technical reports documenting all conservation activities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in protected area conservation or ecological research.
• Proven expertise in African savanna ecosystems; experience with freshwater ecosystems is advantageous.
• Proficiency in MS Office, GIS, and statistical software such as R.
• Practical experience with telemetry, camera traps, GPS, and other conservation technologies.
• Demonstrated leadership and budget management skills.
• Strong communication, organisational, and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to work independently in remote and challenging environments.
• Physical fitness for extended fieldwork and a valid driver’s licence with 4×4/off-road experience.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Clean record of conduct.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF document including a cover letter, resume/CV, ZAQA-certified educational transcripts, and National Registration Card (NRC). Please apply online via
https://africanparks.simplify.hr/.

Application Deadline: 28 June 2026
Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Job Details