Savé Valley Conservancy Trust

Anti-Poaching Manager

Environmental, Forestry Jobs
Salary
Negotiable

Job Description

Starting Date: 1 June 2021
Location: South East Lowveld Zimbabwe
Background
The Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC) was established in 1991 and comprises 29 properties under 16 management entities which range from private sector to government to communities. Initially the entire 3,500 km2 was under conservation management but the settlement of approximately 33% the SVC in 2000 has reduced the area under wildlife and conservation management to 2,700 km2. Negotiations are underway to expand this area if possible.
The Conservancy is a mix of mopane woodland and combretum bushland interspersed with riverine woodlands and rocky outcrops and supports a population of 200-300 lions, approximately 100 wild dogs, 205 rhinos, 2,000-2,500 elephants. This is in addition to thousands of buffaloes, a large population of leopards, brown and spotted hyenas and a small population of cheetahs. The black rhino has, and will continue to be the flagship species for the Conservancy and the SVC holds one of the larger populations of this species in Africa. As such it represents a critically important part of Zimbabwe's conservation estate.
Initially the security system for the SVC comprised a small central anti-poaching unit and booms across conservancy access roads to protect black rhinoceros. Over time this grew to include a radio network and a ranch based game scout force trained by the police and armed with shotguns. The SVC also developed a rapid response unit - the Special Species Protection Unit (SSPU) which is currently run by a private sector security company.
An intensive rhino monitoring system was developed to track all rhinos in the Conservancy, record births and deaths and enable rapid treatment of sick and injured rhinos. The rhino are monitored as part of the current protection strategy and the information is independently collated and assessed.
The SVC has gone through a period of extreme duress during the last 20 years with parts of the south being settled and the ownership of other portions of the conservancy being contested. Intense political pressure and uncertainty has created a set of circumstances that have fragmented the conservancy physically and resulted in it operating as a collection of individual ranches rather than as a collective whole. Currently the management of the Conservancy is going through a revitalization process and this includes the reorganization of its security systems and management protocols. As far as possible the SVC will move towards a central management system and this includes a centrally managed security system that will be responsible for the whole of the SVC.
The Savé Valley Conservancy is run by a committee that is appointed by the members. A chairman is the interface between the members, committee and other relevant internal bodies. The Savé Valley Conservation Trust was recently formed and will become the entity that will be responsible for managing the SVC. The Trust has a CEO who will report to the SVC Executive Committee. Accordingly the SVC APU Manager will report to the SVC CEO.

Duties and Responsibilities

Job Description and Key Responsibilities
The SVC is looking to consolidate its security and run the conservancy under a single, centrally coordinated Anti Poaching Unit (APU). To this end the SVC is seeking to recruit a motivated professional to lead the APU.
The successful incumbent will be responsible for the protection of wildlife resources in the Savé Valley Conservancy.
Detailed Description
Security: Plan, coordinate and execute the law enforcement effort throughout the SVC based on a clear and agreed security management and monitoring plan; Ensure that rangers are fully aware and understand the need to maintain the highest level of human right standards at all times; Establish and coordinate activities and capacity around the command centre to enable real time and monitoring of law enforcement effort and illegal activities; Manage the dog unit; As appropriate, liaise with other security bodies and entities locally and regionally.
Administration: Annual budget and operation plan development and presented on time; Participate in selection of and guide procurement of security equipment, and consumables; Performance Management System, implemented for all staff members under his supervision; Monthly and annual reports; Training reports; Time off and annual leave of staff under his supervision well managed; Input in funding proposals and grant reports; Other administrative duties that may be requested for the benefit of SVC.
Training: Developing and updating a training syllabus and schedule that is based on best practices and innovation in the region; Coordinate all ranger training programmes in the SVC; Where needed, seek and supervise 3rd party training capacity; Develop and coordinate team building exercises; Coordinate and oversee the recruitment of new rangers; Ensure that the highest standards, discipline, and human rights protocols are incorporated in the training syllabus, and that students are fully aware of the roles and functions of the SVC as a whole.
Rhino monitoring: Responsible for coordinating and managing the rhino monitoring programme using well trained monitoring rangers and according to an agreed plan in conjunction with the ecological management component; Ensuring that collected rhino data is passed on for independent analysis, recording, storage and reporting.
Intelligence Unit: Develop, coordinate and oversee the intelligence operation plan; Where needed to bring in additional expertise to guide the intelligence unit; Ensure strategic deployments of intelligence handlers and informer network; Coordinate capacity programmes for the intelligence unit.
Other: Manage and maintain the SVC security fleet (vehicles, aircraft etc); Investigate innovative anti-poaching technology.

Qualifications and Experience

Requirements
Educational qualification:
Preferably a diploma or degree in wildlife and protected area management or similar field.
Experience:
Minimum work experience of at least 10 years in wildlife management or operational field; Rhino related experience is an added bonus.
Knowledge: Excellent understanding of field training and protected area management Skills: Excellent leadership and communication skills to direct and guide staff under his/her supervision; Financial and budgeting management skills; Stakeholder relationship management skills towards property owners, local communities and government.
Behaviour:
Positive attitude, disciplined, sober and always on time; Always take responsibility where required; Able to work in remote and challenging environments.
Licenses and General Qualifications:
Clean driver’s license; Private pilot licence is desirable. If not held the successful applicant should be willing to secure one; Fluent in English, written and spoken with strong report writing skills; Well versed in computer skills as is required in the position; Zimbabwe local languages skills a plus but should be willing to learn.
Physical abilities: Physically able to move around the Park and visit field rangers where required. At times to join Rangers in physical fitness exercises to motivate staff

How to Apply

To apply
Interested candidates are invited to send their cvs to admin@savevalleyconservancy.org