K9 Dog Master (Kafue National Park, Zambia)

Job description

Job Reference Number: AP-346
Department: Law Enforcement
Business Unit:
Industry: Technical
Job Type: Contract
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related

The K9 Dog Master role supports effective law enforcement within the park by providing oversight of K9 training, operations, and standards. The position ensures K9 activities are intelligence-led, compliant with procedures, and well integrated with investigations and partner agencies to enhance operational impact.
Job Description

Job Opening: K9 Dog Master (Kafue National Park, Zambia)

Location: Kafue National Park
Department: Law Enforcement
Reports to: Law Enforcement Advisor

Organizational Overview

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization committed to the full rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. The organization currently manages 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries, covering more than 20 million hectares. These countries include Angola, Benin, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Kafue National Park is recruiting a K9 Dog Master to oversee K9 operations and training, ensure compliance with standards and procedures, and support intelligence-led K9 deployments to enhance operational effectiveness.

Position Background and Purpose

The K9 Dog Master role supports effective law enforcement within the park by providing oversight of K9 training, operations, and standards. The position ensures K9 activities are intelligence-led, compliant with procedures, and well integrated with investigations and partner agencies to enhance operational impact.

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Operations and Training Oversight: Oversee K9 operations and training for K9 working dogs and K9 dog handlers to ensure mission success.
Standards Maintenance: Ensure best practices for K9 training, health, and operational readiness are maintained to the highest standards.
SOP Compliance: Ensure all unit activities align with the K9 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) created for the park.
Intelligence Integration: Provide guidance on K9 data collection to ensure information aligns with analytical requirements and intelligence analysis.
Policy Development: Contribute to the development and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the K9 unit and intelligence management.
Operational Tasking:Provide intelligence-based recommendations for investigative planning to ensure targeted K9 deployments.

Collaboration and Information Sharing:

Internal Coordination: Collaborate closely with investigators, rangers, and other law enforcement personnel within the park.
Liaison Support: Support liaison efforts by providing K9 operational outputs to the Law Enforcement Advisor for engagement with the DNPW and police.
Direct Reporting: Share critical K9 intelligence and operational information directly with the LEA.

Qualifications & General Requirements:

Grade 12 or higher
Police clearance certificate
Medical certificate
Proven experience in K9 operations and training oversight.
Relevant background in law enforcement, military, or police K9 units.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Computer proficiency, including experience with databases and tools relevant to the role (e.g., Earth Ranger).
Experience working in a protected area environment is desirable.

Skills & Competencies:

Professional Curiosity: Ability to ask critical questions and explore K9 performance data beyond surface-level patterns.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail regarding dog health, training logs, and reliability of intelligence.
Integrity:High level of integrity and ethical conduct.
Physical Fitness:Ability to work in challenging field conditions.