Chief Technical Advisor

African Wildlife Foundation is seeking a Chief Technical Advisor in Protected Area Management to provide support to the Ethiopian Wildlife and Conservation Authority for the implementation of a program supported by KfW Bank to improve the conservation status of the Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia.

Expertise in the following areas is required:

• Protected Area (PA) general management.
• Implementation of large, international donor-funded programs.
• Development and implementation of PA Management plans.
• Development and implementation of ecological monitoring programs including CyberTracker/SMART and in situ training of Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) Parks staff and personnel.
• Implementation and action of human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies.

The key role of the Chief Technical Advisor will be to liaise and work with the EWCA Warden for Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP) in the development and implementation of a General Management Plan (GMP) and Annual Operational Plans (AOPs). Tight protocols that maximize the security of the rangers and local communities, and that optimize information sharing with concerned authorities or security initiatives in the region, as well as hunting concession-holders in the periphery, will be an important part of the patrolling protocols.

As part of his/her tasks, the candidate will contribute to in situ training of the rangers in new approaches for monitoring, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, monitoring, community engagement, and anti-poaching, adapted to the region and the reality of today’s protected area management programs. This requires the involvement of national authorities as well as regional and sub-regional organizations. Simultaneously, the Chief Technical Advisor will contribute to further improvement of the use of new technologies like CyberTracker/SMART while also reviewing the potential future use of drones and other high-tech tools available. The candidate will report to the AWF Director for Land Conservation. The technical consultancy is to be organized around the following tasks and activities:

• Working with the AWF Program Manager to ensure full and effective implementation of the program for the SMNP.
• Ensuring effective and timely reporting to the various committees established under the program in the SMNP.
• Assist EWCA in the day-to-day management of the SMNP.
• Work with EWCA to develop and then implement a General Management Plan (GMP).
• Work with EWCA to develop an Annual Operational Plan (AOP) and budget.

In the development of the GMA and AOP above, emphasis should be put on the need to improve the coordination of efforts between the park authorities and neighboring communities for more effective security of the PA.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee and support the Ecological Unit in the implementation of high quality and effective ecological monitoring and anti-poaching activities, data analysis, reporting, and decision making.
• Provide training for the rangers and monitor performance during the patrolling for ecological monitoring.
• Proactively communicate with the EWCA Warden for SMNP and the AWF Program Manager.
• Monitor and get involved in CyberTracker/SMART-related regional and national initiatives and PA management.
• Work closely with the Ecological Unit and AWF staff on the application of new tools for improved ecological monitoring, contributing to related AWF toolkits.
• Assist in the implementation of protocol, lead evaluation, and adaptation, and support further improvement.
• Ensure collection of information that will allow for well-informed mitigation of human-wildlife conflict.
• Assist EWCA in the implementation of the Grazing Reduction Strategy.
• Work with the EWCA through their appointed representative on the ground to improve the general management of the PA.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the GMP and the AOP and associated budget.
• Assess the working conditions for the EWCA staff in SMNP (accommodation, water provision, communications, patrol equipment, available power for recharging, etc.) and make recommendations on necessary improvements to ensure they can carry out their duties.
• Assess the infrastructure available in SMNP and make recommendations on any necessary maintenance or new developments.
• Develop and support the implementation of high quality and effective monitoring of ecological factors the anti-poaching efforts; oversee the data analysis and reporting of this data and ensure it is used for improved and informed decision making.
• Provide training for the rangers and monitor performance during the patrolling for ecological monitoring.
• Proactively communicate with the AWF Program Manager for mutual information sharing.

Expected Outcomes & Deliverables

• A clear and achievable Annual Work Plan with associated budget.
• Strong liaison with the committees and consultants established under the program for the SMNP.
• Initiation of a General Management Plan for the SMNP.
• Improved capacity of the EWCA Warden and his staff in the general management of the SMNP and understanding of management programs.
• Effective maintenance and repair schedules developed for project vehicles and equipment.
• Improved ecological monitoring using up-to-date technologies including CyberTracker/SMART.
• Improved human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts.
• EWCA SMNP staff undergone training and capable of developing and applying new and updated techniques.
• The implemented ecological monitoring and anti-poaching using technologies in the SMNP landscape is considered as a model for PA management in Ethiopia, and invited for contribution to national and regional efforts for standardized implementation in PAs.
• Proposals for improvement are presented, with the potential involvement of drones and other new technologies.
• The basis for the implementation of a more solid and well-informed management and protection strategy is laid out.

Qualifications

• Experience of implementing (to conclusion) at least one multiyear international donor program.
• At least 5 years of experience in “on the ground” wildlife management.
• Experience of collaborating with governmental conservation institutions, with military structures and with private sector stakeholders involved in conservation/PA management NGOs.
• Experience in ranger training, anti-poaching, and project implementation in different environments (forest, savanna, etc.)
• Fluency in English with excellent oral communication skills.
• Experience in working with local communities.