Programme Manager – Selous Conservation Programme (gn)

Organization: Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)
Location: Miguruwe, Nyerere-Selous, Tanzania
Job Type: Full-time
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Application Deadline: Thursday, 20 August 2026

About the Project

Selous Game Reserve is one of Africa’s largest protected areas and a key part of Tanzania’s conservation landscape. Protecting this globally important ecosystem requires effective protected area management, strong institutions, and close collaboration between conservation partners and government authorities.

Through the Selous Conservation Programme (SCP), FZS works together with the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) to strengthen protected area management systems, support law enforcement and resource protection, improve ecological monitoring, and build institutional capacity to safeguard the Selous ecosystem.

The programme focuses on practical, field-based conservation interventions and long-term investment in improving the effectiveness of Selous Game Reserve management.

Position Overview

The Programme Manager – Selous Conservation Programme will lead, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of SCP activities, ensuring that the programme effectively supports the management of Selous Game Reserve.

The role involves providing strategic, technical, financial, and operational leadership while strengthening key protected area management functions, including:

Law enforcement support
Ecological monitoring
Infrastructure development
Conservation planning
Institutional capacity building
Stakeholder engagement

The successful candidate will work closely with government authorities, conservation partners, donors, communities, and field teams in a remote operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management & Planning

Support Selous Game Reserve management in defining and implementing protected area priorities, management plans, and annual operational plans.
Ensure programme activities align with national conservation policies, SGR strategies, and operational priorities.
Lead planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of programme activities.
Strengthen management systems, including patrol operations, resource protection, ecological monitoring, and conservation effectiveness.

Operations & Field Management

Provide strategic and operational support for law enforcement and patrol activities in collaboration with reserve management.
Coordinate field operations, infrastructure development, equipment management, procurement, and logistics.
Identify external threats affecting SGR, especially in buffer zones, and support development of practical responses.
Support Human–Wildlife Conflict management strategies with government authorities and communities.

Financial & Resource Management

Ensure effective budgeting, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting.
Support resource allocation and operational efficiency.
Contribute to identifying funding opportunities and developing donor proposals.
Maintain strong relationships with donors and funding partners.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

Provide leadership, supervision, mentoring, and performance management for the SCP Programme Team.
Promote staff development, learning, and organisational improvement.
Strengthen institutional capacity, systems, and operational effectiveness of SGR management.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

Maintain strong working relationships with:
- Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA)
- Selous Game Reserve management
- Government institutions
- Donors
- Communities and traditional leaders
- Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
- Hunting concessions
- Conservation partners
Represent the programme in technical, coordination, governance, and policy forums.
Support communication and visibility of programme achievements.

Reporting & Coordination

Ensure timely preparation and submission of high-quality technical and financial reports.
Coordinate reporting inputs from programme, finance, technical, and operations teams.
Work closely with:
- Partnership Development Hub Director
- Landscape Conservation Programme Manager
- Programme Manager – Nyerere Conservation Programme

Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications

Advanced degree (MSc or equivalent) in:
- Conservation
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Management
- Related field

Professional Experience

Minimum 5 years of experience in:
- Protected area management
- Conservation programme management
- Natural resource management
Experience working within African conservation contexts is highly desirable.
Proven experience supporting and strengthening protected area management systems.
Experience managing budgets, financial processes, and donor reporting.
Experience collaborating with:
- Government authorities
- Conservation partners
- Field-based teams

Required Skills & Competencies

Ability and willingness to live and work in remote field environments.
Strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and natural resource protection.
High integrity, accountability, and ownership of decisions.
Strong leadership and people management skills.
Ability to set priorities and manage resources effectively.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
Strategic thinking combined with practical programme management skills.
Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.
Fluency in English and working knowledge of Kiswahili.

What FZS Offers

Opportunity to contribute to the management of one of Africa’s largest protected areas.
A high-impact leadership role within a globally significant conservation landscape.
Collaboration with TAWA, government institutions, donors, and conservation experts.
Opportunity to live and work in a unique field conservation environment.
Professional international conservation working environment.
Competitive remuneration package based on qualifications and experience.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

Cover letter explaining motivation and suitability for the position.
Detailed CV.
Contact details of three professional references.

Applications should be submitted through the Apply Now option.

Note:
This position is offered under a local contract. Only candidates legally eligible to work in Tanzania will be considered.

About Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is an international conservation organisation based in Frankfurt, Germany. The organisation works to protect biodiversity and large wilderness areas across Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern and Central Europe.

FZS focuses on long-term, sustainable conservation programmes aimed at protecting biodiversity-rich landscapes and supporting effective conservation management.

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To apply for this job please visit zoologisch.jobs.personio.de.

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