Project Manager – Mweru Wantipa Conservation Project

About the Project

Frankfurt Zoological Society conserves wildlife and ecosystems focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term conservation programmes in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. The Africa Programme is FZS’s largest and oldest and is active in five focal countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe (www.fzs.org). FZS Zambia (FZS ZM) has been active in the North Luangwa Ecosystem since 1986 and Nsumbu since 2017 through the Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP), working to conserve these globally important wilderness areas. FZS ZM supports effective and efficient protected area management, focusing on resource protection and empowering communities in adjoining areas to manage their own resources. FZS Zambia continues to seek to expand its activities both geographically and thematically.  The NTCP has been supporting operations in the GMAs since 2017 and developed a special purpose vehicle to focus conservation efforts and investment in the Game Management Areas adjacent to Nsumbu National Park.  

About the Position

Be the driving force behind a new conservation frontier, join us in shaping the future of Mweru Wantipa National Park.  Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), in partnership with the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), is launching a new initiative to restore and manage Mweru Wantipa National Park. Building on prior successes, this early phase centers on establishing management systems, operational readiness, stakeholder engagement, and early conservation outcomes. FZS seeks a Project Manager to lead this start-up, overseeing field operations, infrastructure, and partnership development with DNPW and key stakeholders.  We are seeking an experienced conservation leader to establish and drive this flagship initiative from the ground up.  This role requires leadership, operational expertise, and close collaboration to achieve conservation and development goals, laying the foundation for lasting impact in Mweru Wantipa National Park.

Your Tasks

• Lead the establishment of the Mweru Wantipa Conservation Project by developing strategy and stakeholder partnerships, while ensuring robust environmental and social safeguards, compliance, and meaningful community engagement.
• Drive early project operationalisation by recruiting and supervising staff, formalising institutional roles and operating procedures with FZS, DNPW, and partners, and strengthening resource protection capacity through ranger deployment, training, equipment, and patrol effectiveness.
• Coordinate project operations, logistics, and infrastructure planning, including offices, staff accommodation, access, mobility, and priority start‑up infrastructure.
• Initiate ecological and social monitoring to establish baseline data, address key knowledge gaps, and integrate monitoring results into adaptive management.
• Establish basic systems for human–wildlife conflict monitoring and reporting, and support early, low‑intensity mitigation measures in priority areas.
• Support community governance, livelihoods, and conservation education initiatives, drawing on NTCP experience to strengthen equitable resource management and local engagement
• Ensure project planning and implementation is within the wider landscape context, and FZS Zambia organizational objectives.

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of five years’ experience in conservation or development project management, administration, or coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and manage operational systems in remote and challenging field environments.
• Proven experience in compliance, financial oversight, reporting, and use of digital filing and reporting systems.
• Strong stakeholder engagement experience, working effectively with government agencies, local communities, and international partners.
• Proficiency in digital tools; experience with MEL systems and impact reporting is an advantage.
• Strong leadership and team‑building skills, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing work culture with a strong commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and inclusion.
• Culturally sensitive, adaptable, and effective in diverse and remote settings.

We Offer

• Exciting opportunity to mold and shape a new conservation project.
• Engaging and meaningful work contributing to long‑term conservation of a globally significant landscape.
• Opportunity to work in an extraordinary wilderness area and support a dynamic, mission‑driven field team.
• Being part of an experienced and dedicated FZS program team with opportunities for learning, growth and impact.
• A fair and competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Your Application

If you are passionate and ready to take on this challenge, please submit your Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter detailing your relevant experience and motivation for applying by clicking ‘Apply for this Job’ below. Include three (3) traceable references with a short description of your working relationship and their contact details. Appointment is subject to the submission of ZAQA-certified qualifications. Application Deadline: 8th May, 2026  We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.