Field Operations Manager

Job Description

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in logistics, construction, road maintenance, fleet management, and procurement in remote and challenging locations.
• Tertiary qualification in construction, logistics, conservation management, business management or a closely related technical field — essential.
• Relevant professional certifications in project management, logistics, and/or fleet/mechanical management — desirable.
• Ability to work well with local teams and willingness to provide mentorship.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and a practical can-do attitude to work.
• Good knowledge and understanding of a range of operations technical areas as outlined above.
• Practical skills in vehicle maintenance, construction, electrical installations, building maintenance, and other civil engineering tasks are highly desirable.
• Experience in wildlife fence construction and maintenance – desirable.
• Experience providing logistical or field support to ecological monitoring or wildlife research activities (e.g., collaring, telemetry) – desirable.
• Experience working with international organizations, non-profits, or the private sector and proven ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to live and work in a remote location, with a high degree of resilience and problem-solving ability.
• Good written and oral communications.
• Fluency in English.
• Interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual plans and budgets for all operations, aligned with the park's five-year strategic plan and annual work plan.
• Support and advise heads of department and supervisors to resolve operational challenges efficiently and in a timely manner.
• Ensure full adherence to WCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all activities under operational control.
• Coordinate with UWA QEPA staff in planning and execution of operations.
• Prepare and submit regular operational reports to the Sector Manager, including monthly KPI summaries and progress reports against the operations plan.
• Oversee procurement processes, in line with WCS SOPs, ensuring efficiency and accountability,
• Develop and maintain reliable supply chains to ensure the continuous availability of critical equipment, materials, and consumables,
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure all procurement aligns with financial policies and budget constraints,
• Recruit and manage procurement and supply chain staff and oversee their work.
• Oversee the construction and maintenance of the Sector Headquarters and key park infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness.
• Ensure all facilities are built to required specifications and minimum standards, integrating security and sustainability considerations.
• Develop a long-term infrastructure maintenance plan to support operational continuity.
• Recruit and oversee maintenance staff as necessary.
• Develop and implement a logistics plan, ensuring the timely supply of food, water, fuel, medical supplies, and other consumables.
• Oversee equipment storage and deployment and conduct regular stock inventories.
• Establish appropriate storage and stockpiling solutions to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
• Ensure emergency reserves are in place for critical supplies.
• Oversee arrangements for travel and accommodation for visiting WCS regional and global staff and official visitors
• Oversee bush clearing teams, ensuring habitat management, visibility, and access requirements across the Protected Area are met.
• Oversee fence maintenance teams, ensuring the boundary fence is maintained to required standards and breaches are promptly identified and repaired.
• Coordinate logistical and operational support for ecological monitoring activities, working closely with the Ecology/Research team.
• Coordinate logistics for wildlife collaring operations, including transport, equipment, and field support for collaring exercises.
• Ensure field teams engaged in conservation management activities are appropriately equipped, trained, and supported.
• Oversee the acquisition and deployment of a vehicle fleet tailored to the operational terrain.
• Implement vehicle maintenance schedules and ensure workshop facilities are established.
• Ensure all vehicle operations comply with safety and operational SOPs.
• Recruit and oversee drivers and maintenance staff and ensure that all drivers are appropriately trained.
• Ensure infrastructure and logistical systems are designed with security considerations in mind, according to the Ishasha Security Plan.
• Ensure staff are trained as appropriate in all aspects of WCS safety and security, including first aid.
• Work with the Law Enforcement Advisor and UWA counterparts to establish secure storage for equipment, firearms, and sensitive materials.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies for supply chain disruptions and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
• Coordinate emergency responses to incidents in the field as appropriate, according to the Ishasha Security Plan.