Ecotourism Manager

Job Opportunity:

Ecotourism Manager, Cambodia

A unique conservation enterprise in Cambodia is looking for a qualified and enthusiastic Ecotourism Manager with a proven track record in leading teams and developing wildlife tourism operations and standards.

About Jahoo

At Jahoo, we provide unparalleled gibbon watching experiences that motivate conservation action and promote indigenous culture. Visitors can join gibbon researchers to track a habituated group of southern yellow-cheeked crested gibbons, gaining unparalleled access to this endangered species. Led by indigenous local guides, guests can witness traditional forest skills, explore remote waterfalls, and spot other rare primates and unique wildlife. Overnight accommodation and meals are provided at the exclusive Bamboo Camp where guests are based throughout their wildlife experience.

Jahoo is located within the core conservation zone of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS), Mondulkiri, Cambodia, the last stronghold for this gibbon species protecting a critical population of approximately 1,200 gibbons. 3 groups of gibbons, living within a community protected forest, are being habituated to human presence for wildlife-based tourism and conservation research. The project is supported by World Hope International (WHI) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

Jahoo is a small community-owned initiative providing wildlife-friendly livelihoods, motivating conservation action, and supporting social development with the unique southern yellow-cheeked crested gibbon as its flagship species. Our small and exclusive operation hosts around 300 guests per year on approximately 100 customized wildlife-watching tours. Our Bamboo Camp hosts a maximum of 6 guests, and our average group size is 3 guests. The high season is between November and May.

More information on Jahoo can be found here: www.gibbon.life and www.tripadvisor.com

Background

Tourism in Cambodia is recovering quickly after the global pandemic and Jahoo is receiving growing interest and positive feedback from visitors. A new Bamboo Camp has been constructed, exciting progress has begun in developing a Research Centre, and Jahoo continues to receive strong support from partner organizations and donors for its social and conservation impact.

The role of Ecotourism Manager is a unique opportunity to work in a senior role in a small startup ecotourism enterprise with an exciting future that is quickly growing and delivering results in wildlife conservation and community development.

Jahoo is looking for an Ecotourism Manager from the wildlife tourism industry to continue delivering and growing the ecotourism operations. This position requires expertise and experience in wildlife guiding, hospitality, site management and local staff coordination and training.

About the role

A successful Ecotourism Manager will be a savvy and organized individual who can proactively manage and enhance the Bamboo Camp, tour operations and the ecotourism team. Past managers have been those that have a passion for wildlife, a mission to contribute to an indigenous-owned ecotourism enterprise and can thrive in relatively remote eastern Cambodia. The Ecotourism Manager should have an eye for detail, be a creative problem solver, and a good communicator, whilst always remaining customer focused.

The role of the Ecotourism Manager is to:

• Manage the day-to-day operations and lead the Jahoo ecotourism team (guides, site maintenance and hospitality staff) in continuing to deliver wildlife tourism experiences for our visitors to a high standard.

• Take the lead in the management and improvement of Jahoo tours including customer service, tour operator partnerships, bookings, HR and finance systems, marketing and promotion, site maintenance, facilities and hospitality, and new products.

• Oversee the increased development and performance of the ecotourism team through the development of protocols and standards and deliver technical training and on the job coaching to increase staff performance and capacity.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Ecotourism Manager are to:

-       Develop current and new ecotourism itineraries including new products and activities for current and new guest demographics.

-       Plan and deliver ecotourism itineraries and tours ensuring a high standard of customer service from the moment guests are collected from their hotel to the end of the tour.

-       Manage the general appearance of the Bamboo Camp, identify, and organize repairs and maintenance, and oversees construction projects.

-       Oversee hospitality operations and monitors for high standards in housekeeping, kitchen, and maintenance.

-       Manage stock and supplies and ensure sales reconcile with financial accounts.

-       Create a budget for Bamboo Camp operations and ensure financial resources are well used, managed, and adapted for optimum efficiency and standards.

-       Design, collaborate and implement tailored ecotourism staff development training and coaching to increase staff skills and knowledge, ability and responsibility, and performance in guiding and hospitality.

-       Coordinates and monitors staff work, adherence to policies and procedures (uniforms etc.), updates staff HR records (disciplinary, leave, attendance etc.), and liaises with human resources where necessary.

-       Controls the use of the Jahoo vehicle, ensures it is maintained well and kept clean and presentable for our guests.

-       Oversee the relationships of existing and development of new tour operator and travel agent partnerships.

-       Manage and improve efficiencies of operational systems in bookings, invoicing, payment, staff pay role and shift schedules.

-       Manage guest relations to maximize the personalized experience, play the host and interact with guests, if required join guests on tour as the English-speaking wildlife guide add-on.

-       Create visual assets (photos and videos) for the development of marketing and promotion campaigns to raise Jahoo’s profile and increase bookings.

-       Develop ecotourism operational procedures and protocols, ensure they are followed and align with international standards on ecotourism best-practices, community agreements and government guidelines.

-       Create an ecotourism work plan and lead an ecotourism team in delivery and provide targets, updates on progress, and team feedback to incentivize and motivate staff.

-       Provide support to visiting researchers, interns, and volunteers at Jahoo.

-       Support wildlife education and outreach activities in the community including at schools with children and youth and hosting community delegations and events at Jahoo.

Requirements

• Formal training and qualification in a relevant subject.

  • At least 3 years’ experience in the wildlife-tourism and hospitality industry with a proven track record leading teams and developing tourism operations and standards.

  • Fluency in English. Khmer language is desirable, or otherwise a proven ability to learn a new language quickly to a working proficiency.

  • Excellent communication and people skills, especially with people of varying levels of competency and motivation.

  • Experience working and living in developing country context. Asia experience is desirable.

    • Skills, knowledge, and experience in either wildlife guiding, hospitality, or camp management, all are desirable.

    • Ability to learn and use online booking systems, HR, finance systems and Microsoft Office.

    • Ambitious and highly self-motivated.

      • The necessary passion and energy to contribute to a start-up venture and take the lead in developing a unique wildlife-tourism operation.

      • A desire to experience the unique opportunity to live and work in a relatively remote and challenging setting and embrace a new culture and language.

      • Valid driving license, experience with 4WD vehicles and off road driving desirable.

      • Basic first aid training, wilderness first aid desirable.