Overview

Space for Giants is recruiting a Programme Manager to oversee the implementation of a human-elephant conflict mitigation programme in Gabon.

Space for Giants

Space for Giants is an international conservation charity that protects Africa’s elephants from immediate threats like poaching while working to secure their habitats forever in landscapes facing ever-increasing pressures. Everywhere we work, in Angola, Botswana, Gabon, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, we use science and best-practice to inform our approach. We develop and deliver anti-poaching initiatives, secure protected landscapes for elephants, work to lessen the problems that arise where people and elephants live alongside each other, and find new ways to reach new audiences with stories of conservation. We are based in Kenya, and registered as a charity in the UK and a non-profit in the US.

Human-elephant conflict mitigation in Gabon

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is an enormous challenge in rural Africa wherever people and elephants share space, resulting in huge social and economic costs in the form of crop destruction, property damage and killing of humans by elephants. Gabon is home to two-thirds of Africa’s forest elephants, and despite having suffered devastating declines in their population due to poaching for the illegal ivory trade, HEC remains a widespread problem. Studies have shown that in some parts of the country, farmers expect to lose 40-45% of their crop harvest to elephants. This is leading to increasing resentment towards elephants and conservation efforts.

In August 2016, after the first Giants Club Summit in Kenya, the Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN) with support from Space for Giants, were able to take lessons learned from the Kenya landscape and employ these in Gabon. As a result, strategically located elephant fences were constructed in a pilot study to provide proof of concept. These pilot fences have performed effectively against forest elephants and are currently being scaled up across the country. Space for Giants is providing technical expertise to the ANPN to ensure this programme is scaled up cost-effectively, driven by best practice guidelines and carefully monitored and evaluated. Space for Giants will second the Gabon HEC Mitigation Programme Manager to the ANPN (i.e. the Programme Manager will be funded and managed by SFG, and will work with and be based with the ANPN in Gabon).

Objective of the Role

The primary objective of the Programme Manager is to develop, implement and monitor the delivery of the human-elephant conflict mitigation programme in Gabon with the ANPN.

Specific Activities

• Act as a key liaison for Gabon’s human-elephant coexistence programme between Space for Giants and the ANPN providing necessary technical and management support, as well as developing close working relationships with strategic partners in the landscape (e.g. NGOs and private sector);
• Oversee the development and delivery of the HEC programme through the following activities:
  • a. Refine Gabon’s National HEC Strategy that Space for Giants has developed with the ANPN
  • b. Identifying HEC priority areas for interventions and implement a HEC monitoring system across these areas.
  • c. Creating and managing systems, to better understand and manage HEC in Gabon. (e.g. social surveys, participatory mapping and land use planning)
  • d. Managing the design and construction of electrified elephant fences throughout Gabon with a focus on the Gamba Complex of Protected Areas (including tasks such as developing bills of quantities, creation of budgets, conducting site assessments, GIS mapping of site locations, coordinating human resource requirements, coordinating training as necessary, developing timelines etc.).
  • e. Implementing a robust scientific monitoring and evaluation protocol to monitor the effectiveness of fences across Gabon (including identifying training and resource needs, implementing data collection protocols, managing data flow and storage and analysis, developing regular briefing reports ).
  • f. Provide technical expertise and support for the development of project funding proposals to ensure the long-term viability of the programme can be guaranteed and to provide oversight for project reporting where funding has already been secured (i.e. including writing grants to institutional funders, being responsible for project reporting and accounting).
• Represent Space for Giants at technical meetings with NGOs, Government and private sector actors as necessary.
• Update the ANPN Management and Space for Giants on project progress through regular reporting and briefs.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate will have proven experience working in Africa with a demonstrated capacity to work with the Government, private sector or third sector organisations to deliver high capacity projects. In addition the following attributes are sought:

• Excellent English and French language communications, analytical and writing skills.
• Minimum five years of demonstrated experience of project management, ideally (but not necessarily) within the field of conservation;
• At least three years’ experience of working in Africa (preferably West Africa);
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with high-level executives in Government, private sector and third sector organisations;
• Working knowledge of impact monitoring systems, data and information management and analysis, including GIS skills;
• Educated to at least Master’s degree level or equivalent experience;
• A demonstrated understanding of elephant conservation issues;
• Ability to mobilise people of different backgrounds and cultures;
• Willingness to work extensive hours and in remote locations;
• Excellent at managing diverse activities, and meeting multiple deadlines under pressure;
• Initiative and drive to lead the programme independently with oversight from the Space for Giants and the ANPN headquarters;
• Ability to handle sensitive issues and confidential information;
• Commitment to nature conservation; • A clean driving license and experience of driving off road;
• Prior experience of Gabon and knowledge of Gabon protected areas are an advantage;
• Based in Gabon (or the ability to work and live in Gabon). Reporting and Delivery The position will report to the Space for Giants Conservation Programme Manager, with technical support for the Space for Giants Director of Conservation Science.

Contract Terms

The position is available to start immediately with the following conditions:

• After a three-month probation period, the contract will initially run for 12 months and will be extended, thereafter, depending on performance;
• Full-time employment;
• 5 days a week;
• Based in Libreville at the ANPN offices, with extensive time in Gamba and countrywide;
• Salary is dependent on experience and subject to negotiation.

Application

• Send a CV and cover letter by December 16th to jobs@spaceforgiants.org, please state how you heard about the position.