Within Africa we currently support nine landscapes in six countries and are ambitiously aiming to double our impact over this decade through investing, extending and expanding at landscape level, as well as strengthening and de-risking our organisational capacity for growth. This includes the strengthening of the Africa Department, based in Lusaka, Zambia, and its oversight and management of operations.
As Operations Officer your main objective is the improvement of FZS Africa’s operational processes as the Africa department embarks on implementing the organization’s ambitious growth plan. To reach that, you collaborate closely with the leadership team in the Africa Department and Germany HQ to develop and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Your main tasks working closely with the Africa Director, Deputy Africa Director and Senior Operations Officer, will include:
- Reviewing project compliance with FZS policies, culture and standard operating procedures.
- Facilitating the draft and implementation of internal best practices for the consistent application of management practices in the context of conservation projects, soliciting input from across the organization.
- Developing systems to facilitate good management disciplines, and systems to track performance.
- Coordinating the enhancement, drafting and implementation of annual risk assessments of the site-based projects within the Africa portfolio and ensure that any risks are communicated upward where appropriate.
- Improving and manage FZS Africa’s internal communications systems.
- Ensuring that senior members of the Africa team staff have the operational support needed to effectively perform their roles.
- Supporting project managers and landscape leaders to use the appropriate project management systems and tools.
- Master’s Degree or higher in Business Administration, Strategy, Project Management or other field related to conservation
- 3+ years’ experience in data management, development operations or administrative role
- Excellent knowledge of data management software and systems
- Fluency in English, Skills in French and German an advantage
- Familiarity with Africa-based non-profit systems, management and reporting practices
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and work streams simultaneously
- Strong facilitation, organization and planning skills
- Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to build coalitions, negotiate, and manage conflict situations
- Willingness and ability to travel (up to 30% of time) sometimes to remote and physically challenging locations
- The position offers an exciting opportunity of playing a key role in the implementation of the FZS Global Strategy with its agenda for growth over this decade.
- Focus on strengthening and de-risking systems within the organisation, particularly the Africa Department and thus making a difference and improving efficiency within programmes
- Part of a small team at departmental level, supporting the landscape managers in currently 9 programmes in 6 countries (DRC, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe)
The position is initially limited to two years with a possible longer-term perspective and is based in Lusaka, Zambia.
Please send your application (as PDF including a motivation letter and CV) together with your salary expectations and the earliest possible starting date using our online platform or via e-mail to jobs@fzs.org.
In your motivation letter please answer the following questions:
- What led you to apply for this position?
- Which qualifications and personal qualities make you a good candidate?
Application Deadline: 25th January 2024 Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is an internationally operating conservation organisation based in Germany that has been supporting conservation projects in Africa, South America, South East Asia and Europe for many decades. Following our mission to conserve wildlife and ecosystems we are focusing on protected areas and outstanding wild places.