Contexte du recrutement et définition de poste :

• Job Description

Position:

Operations Manager of the Gile National Park in Mozambique

Deadline for application

20th of Novembre 2026

Starting date:

As soon as possible

Position Type and work organisation

Full-time, The Operations Manager will be primarily assigned to the Park with possibilities of shifts consisting of continuous on-site duty periods followed by off-site rest periods

Expected duration:

1 year renewable, under the framework of the new collaborative agreement between François Sommer Foundation and the National Administration of Conservation Areas of Mozambique for the 2026-2035 period

How to apply:

Send a CV and cover letter at recrutement@fondationfrancoissommer.org addressed to General Director

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

• Job Summary

The François Sommer Foundation  is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and motivated Operations Manager to provide technical, administrative and program implementation support to a large project of support to the Gilé National Park (PNAG) in Central Mozambique (https://parquenacionaldogile.gov.mz/).

The successful candidate will work closely with the PNAG Warden to provide programmatic support across all departments of protected area management of PNAG (the "Project" as defined in the new collaborative agreement) with a particular focus on the field implementation of all conservation, restoration and development activities, in accordance with the 10 years Management Plan. This includes a diverse array of projects activities on the field coming from various grants and funding sources, staff management and capacity building. The Operations Manager is based permanently on-site at the PNAG headquarter in Musseia, Zambézia Province, with frequent travels to Maputo. He will report directly to the Project Coordinator based in Maputo and to the Wildlife Institute Director based in Paris.

• Introduction

The François Sommer Foundation (FFS) is a French Foundation, based in Paris, created in 1964 by François and Jacqueline Sommer and recognised to be of public utility in 1966. Its overall objectives are to share the richness of the artistic and cultural heritage in the field of wildlife management and to promote wildlife conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources (https://fondationfrancoissommer.org/). Since 2007, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) of Mozambique and the FFS through its Wildlife Institute, successfully collaborate in the implementation of conservation actions in the PNAG with the support of the French Development Agency and BIOFUND, among others.

In 2018, ANAC and FFS have signed a technical assistance agreement. After years of work, the legal, technical and administrative framework of the park is now into place. For example, in August 2024, the Foundation and ANAC were able to capture and transport 200 buffalos from the Marromeu Special Reserve to Gilé National Park. In 2024, the program mobilized more than 120 full time employees, and an annual financial budget of 1,2 million €.

At this key point of the project development, FFS and ANAC want to change the scale of the program. The overall objective is the complete rehabilitation of the PNAG socio-ecosystem and the restoration of its original biodiversity in collaboration with local communities and stakeholders. Taking these ambitions into account, the aim is to launch and lead a fundraising campaign targeting €25 million over the next 10 years.

• Overall objective of the position

The overall objective of the position is to support FFS and ANAC in managing the whole restoration and development Project of PNAG. The Operations Manager is responsible for the field implementation of all PNAG conservation, restoration and development activities (the "¨Project" as defined in the new collaborative agreement), working in close collaboration with the park's Warden and the heads of departments (infrastructure and logistics, law enforcement, community development, conservation, human resources, administration and finance, planning and management).

His/Her mission is to assist and advice the Park Warden. He/She reports directly to the Project Coordinator based in Maputo and to the Wildlife Institute Director, based in Paris.

• Specific tasks of the Operations Manager

• Field implementation of projects financed by FFS and other national and international institutions and donors
  • Assist the PNAG staff in all aspects related to the implementation of the activities of the current and future projects involving the FFS in the PNAG (i.e. European Union Project, BIOFUND, French Agency for Development etc.);
  • Maintain weekly contacts with the FFS Project Coordinator in Maputo and with the FFS headquarters in Paris, especially for its own activities;
  • Make the connection and support the FFS Project Coordinator who oversees the strategic planning, overall monitoring and reporting of the Park's conservation activities, the good implementation of collaborative agreement with ANAC, the management of the portfolio of donors that includes bi-laterals, multi-laterals, foundations, and private donors.

• Wildlife and Protected Areas management in compliance with the Management Plan
  • Support the Park Warden in providing technical, financial, and administrative support to field staff and team leads in the development and implementation of work plans, while improving the performance and efficiency of the activities;
  • In close collaboration with the Park Warden, assist the heads of departments in the planning, preparation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the activities: infrastructure and logistics, law enforcement, community development, conservation, human resources, administration and finance, planning and management.

• Staff management
  • Support the finance and administration and human resources Directors in all administration aspects and identify and support staff recruitment, and identify opportunities for staff capacity building and staff mentoring;
  • Provide support and guidance to the PNAG staff in correctly implementing activities and following the proper protocols;
  • Guarantee that all the PNAG staff is adequately and fairly treated (currently 120 staff);
  • Support the implementation of the financial manual procedures.

• Governance and Reporting

5.3.1   As member of the PNAG Project Implementation Unit (UGP), assure the correct functioning of the body, while guaranteeing the constant link with the Project Supervision Committee (CSP);

5.3.2   Support the UGP in preparing all documents required for the biannual meetings of the CSP;

5.3.3   Support the UGP in elaborating monthly, biannual and annual reports for ANAC and donors;

5.3.4   Report regularly to the Project Coordinator regarding all relevant aspects of the Project implementation.

Profil recherché :

Key relationships

• Park Warden, managers and officers of the main management departments of the PNAG
• Project Coordinator (based in Maputo) and Wildlife Institute Director (Paris)
• ANAC staff
• External contractors and partners (construction, logistic, research, agriculture, forestry, wildlife conservation etc.)

Qualifications

• Proven experience (minimum 10 years) in large program management and administration on the field;
• Demonstrable experience of senior staff management in different fields of expertise: infrastructures and equipment (construction, mechanics, fence building, fence maintenance, water systems, solar), conservation (wildlife and habitats management, game relocations, veterinary, conservation knowledge or training), law enforcement (field experience, field management, law enforcement techniques, law enforcement technologies);
• Tertiary education in a field relevant to Protected Area’s administration, wildlife management or conservation, agricultural or forest sciences;
• Excellent communication and organizational skills;
• Good leadership and people management skills;
• Strong personal integrity and dependability;
• Good report writing skills;
• Demonstrable ability to mentor staff at all levels;
• Demonstrable experience managing and working in partnership with other organizations;
• Fluent English and good basis on Portuguese and French would be appreciated.

Salary and benefit

Salary and benefit package according to experience