Job Opportunity at Ruaha Carnivore Project,
Field Operations Manager
Location
Other
District Other Location
Description
The
Ruaha Carnivore Project (RCP) (www.ruahacarnivoreproject.com) is a small but
highly dedicated field project, which aims to reduce human-carnivore conflict
and investigate carnivore ecology in Tanzania’s Ruaha landscape. The project is
part of Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) but
operates as a largely independent research project in Tanzania, registered
under the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) and the Commission for
Science and Technology (COSTECH). RCP was established in 2009 and started
fieldwork in 2010, and has already had marked success in terms of reducing
conflict and providing baseline data on large carnivores in the Ruaha
landscape. This success means that the project now needs to expand, and for
that to happen as smoothly as possible, we require a full-time on-site Field
Operations Manager.
This
person will be based in the field camp or nearby village, where they will help
organise and monitor logistics and human resources making sure the project can
achieve its goals. The successful candidate will be an experienced, highly
motivated, hands‐on,
collaborative manager. This is a tremendous opportunity for someone with
advanced skills in personnel and logistics management to help a grassroots
conservation project grow and achieve significant success, with important
benefits for both local communities and large carnivores. The main duties
involved in this post are listed below, but additional tasks may be included as
needed by the Director.
Duties
and Responsibilities:
Managing
logistics in the field
(a)
Financial planning and management– working with camp management and field staff
to set budgets each month for project activities and communicating those to the
Director by the 20th of the month; checking each week that staff are on track
with accounting for their budgets; combining Excel sheets, sending copied
receipt sheets and all budgets to the Director by the 7th for the previous
month; and summarising expenditure for any reports or as needed. Monthly audits
of receipts and purchases; preparing financial summaries and reports for grant
agencies and funders.
(b)
Vehicle logistics – establishing regular and frequent checks of all vehicles,
associated equipment (e.g. working jacks) and log-books; helping organise the
training and management of new drivers, weekly review of video logs; ensuring
that vehicle use is kept as efficient as possible; reporting any incidents or
damage as soon as it occurs; keeping a track of fuel use; and ensuring that all
legal requirements (tax, insurance, fire extinguishers etc) are kept up to date
and planned and budgeted for in advance.
(c)
Activity planning – in conjunction with management, setting out monthly work
plans to ensure that overall project aims are met; organising activities such
as town trips twice per month; regularly communicating with all field staff to
check on progress through the week
(d)
Staff management – communicating regularly with the staff, management and
Director to set staff tasks (e.g. for the following month); checking to see if
any problems arise; helping manage staff issues or complaints and communicating
them with the Director; ensuring that all staff are on time and acting
professionally (in accordance with the RCP handbook); helping manage staff
recruitment, disciplinary issues, time off and staff pay. Once per month,
submit payments for all relevant employee contributions and taxes.
(e)
Camp activity management -Oversee and manage all camp construction; oversee and
manage water issues in camp; work with kitchen staff to manage food budget and
purchases each month
(f)
Other logistics – formalising and regularly checking RCP’s inventory of
equipment; regularly checking all equipment for damage or loss; requesting new
equipment or repairs as needed.
Qualifications
A
Tanzanian would be preferred for the job, if it is a foreigner at least a
Masters degree in a relevant subject, with a passion and commitment to
community-based wildlife conservation
Skilled
in the use of common computer software
Excellent
interpersonal skills and proven ability to fit in well amongst, and effectively
manage, a team of diverse people.
Strong
operational experience – ideally has worked in a senior management role for
several years with a non‐profit
organization and or tourism industry (with a focus on logistical and personnel
management, as well as administration)
Strong
writing and verbal communications skills
Proven
ability to live and work happily in a remote field camp under very basic
conditions (i.e. living in a tent with no running water, intermittent power,
and the presence of wild animals in the local area)
High
proficiency of English and Swahili is necessary
Demonstrated
personal qualities of integrity, attention to detail, strong professionalism,
investing in people, credibility, and commitment to RCP’s conservation mission.
Flexible
and able to multi‐task;
able to work well under pressure or challenging conditions; can work within an
ambiguous, fast‐moving
environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated
resourcefulness in setting priorities and proposing new ways of creating
efficiencies (even when communication systems are poor), and guiding investment
in people and systems.
A
strong team player that can also lead and work independently.
How
to apply: interested candidates should send a CV and a cover letter to
fiona@ruahacarnivoreproject.com by the 31 of October 2018. Please put
“Application for Field Operations Manager” in the subject line. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.