Akashinga
DUE: 17 FEB 2025
Head of Operations-Hurungwe Vacancy
About Akashinga
Akashinga delivers resilient nature conservation programmes of global significance through community-driven partnerships. Originally named the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF), was founded in 2009 by Australian-born and Zimbabwean-based environmentalist Damien Mander. Since its inception, we have transformed a traditionally adversarial approach to conservation into an innovative, uplifting, and gender-diverse model to protect wildlife and habitats.
As the organisation’s mission has evolved, so too has our identity, leading to our major transition in 2023 to become Akashinga. This name, meaning ‘the Brave Ones’ in Zimbabwe’s Shona language, reflects our unique approach to conservation by acknowledging the people at the heart of our collective fight for the future of the planet. At Akashinga, we centralise social impact around the advancement of women’s leadership to achieve nature conservation at scale.
The Akashinga model invests in local development to create relevant conservation pathways and nature-based economies that are then scaled to create impact at a global level. With your support, we are achieving biodiversity outcomes and spreading our operations across vast areas by working together with local and indigenous communities, placing community first, and ensuring social impact is centralised around the empowerment of women. We believe that supporting people to protect the planet in the places they call home will ultimately create a sustainable future for us all.
Akashinga is unwavering in our dedication to protecting the natural world and preserving biological diversity. Our mission centres on safeguarding migratory pathways and creating interconnected habitats to address the critical challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and human well-being degradation. We understand the intricate interplay of these issues and strive to cultivate resilient ecosystems where nature, wildlife, and communities flourish in harmony.
About the Head of Operations Available Position
We are very excited to announce that a fantastic opportunity has arisen in our organisation. We are looking for a suitably qualified Head of Operationsfor our camp located in Hurungwe. The camp is situated in beautiful vast landscapes with various wildlife that are protected by our rangers.
Job Purpose
To ensure that all Akashinga operations within the reserve are carried out safely and effectively. The Head of Operations will be responsible for overseeing the community, rangers, and generating Akashinga’s impact on the ground through monitoring and protection of wildlife and habitat. The incumbent will report to the Reserve General Manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Security management and operations of the reserve and surrounding areas where Akashinga operates;
- Work with the Reserve General Manager, Head of Operations Support, and Operational Analyst on a daily basis to ensure measurable positive impact from the community, biodiversity and law enforcement activities;
- Supports the Reserve General Manager in development of annual work plans and budgets with clear priorities and KPIs for the reserve activities and ensures their efficient implementation;
- Liaises with the Operational Analyst to enable evidence-based decision making within operations;
- Ensure security, legal, ethical and effective anti-poaching operations in the area of responsibility;
- Ensure ecological conservation activities, and GIS data capture and biodiversity surveys;
- Ensure implementation of the community strategic plan to promote effective reserve management, advance conservation outcomes in the region, and build community relationships and participation in Akashinga’s work.
- Work together with the Head of Investigations by sharing of relevant information and by organizing responses to information were deemed credible and priority.
- Ensure that reserve investigations are carried out legally and successfully.
- Assist in developing and maintaining the reserve security plan with focus on wildlife protection;
- Assess and manage Akashinga compliance with local laws and regulations in relation to law enforcement;
- Correctly prepare for and respond to emergencies and coordinate with local and regional authorities in emergency planning and response;
- Maintain and enforce operational security at all times;
- Oversee sound financial management of the department budgets within operations, in line with Akashinga financial SOPs;
HR
- Management of the operational unit leadership, identifying staffing needs, conducting development and mentoring, discipline, safety and wellbeing activities;
- Human Resources Management in collaboration with the HR Manager, including performance interviews for management staff;
- Provides advice, mentors and guides reserve team members and identifies potential for career development within operations;
- Work with LEAD Ranger and HR Manager to suggest and implement training programs to ensure staff have the skills and competencies required to be fully effective;
- Oversee adherence to SOP’s, Code of Conduct & Ethics.
- Compile operations reports and incident reports as required per Akashinga SOP’s.
- Ensure Health, Safety & Environment requirements are met, including compliance with legislative requirements and the Akashinga Code of Conduct are incorporated into all activities;
- Undertake other tasks as requested by the Reserve General Manager.
Requirements
- Recognised qualification in Ecological, Environment or Wildlife Management.
- Experience in practical management of nature reserves.
- 8 Years experience in a similar position.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and web-based applications is essential.
- Computer literacy.
- Clean driver’s license.
Competencies
- High level of adaptation.
- Genuine interest in conservation and wildlife.
- Strong soft skills.
- High ethical standards and professionalism.
- Reliable and punctual.
Akashinga believes in equal employment opportunity and is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive environment.
TO APPLY
All interested candidates should send CVs to [email protected] no later than the 17thof February 2025.