JOB DESCRIPTION: PARK MANAGER (CHEF DE SITE)

Domaine et Réserve Naturelle de Bombo Lumene (DRBL) (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Job title: Park Manager (Chef de Site)
Location: Domaine et Réserve Naturelle de Bombo Lumene (DRBL), Province of Kinshasa (RDC), and Kinshasa (RDC)
Organisations: Tellus Conservation & Fondation Bombo Lumene (FBL)
Reports to: C-Suite, Tellus Conservation
Start date: July / August 2026

About Tellus Conservation & Fondation Bombo Lumene (FBL)

Founded in 2022, Tellus Conservation exists to rapidly protect and restore nature at scale. We believe that human societies and healthy ecosystems can thrive together and that the ecosystem services delivered by natural environments are public goods that must be valued, maintained and invested in.

We were founded to fill the gap in the funding, pathways and governance that have long hindered high-impact nature-based projects. By acting as a bridge between those with capital and those who manage natural-asset landscapes – communities, custodians, governments – we make large-scale protection and restoration of landscapes possible.

Our approach is hands-on: we find, develop and manage nature-based projects using rigorous standards, measurable outcomes and local-partner collaboration. We prioritise scalable, resilient solutions that deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.

Fondation Bombo Lumene (FBL) is a Congolese non-profit organisation (NGO) that manages the Domaine et Réserve Naturelle de Bombo Lumene (DRBL) together with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), under a 20-year renewable public-private partnership (PPP).

Tellus Conservation and FBL are cooperating to raise nature-based financing for the reserve that will allow for its restoration to its ecological baseline and its long-term conservation (the Bombo Lumene Restoration Project).

About the Domaine et Réserve Naturelle de Bombo Lumene (DRBL)

The Domaine et Réserve Naturelle de Bombo Lumene (DRBL) extends across approximately 294,000 hectares on the Batéké Plateau, in the rural part of Kinshasa Province, between the Bombo and Lumene rivers. Established in 1968, the reserve encompasses savannahs, gallery forests, watercourses and a mosaic of habitats of high ecological value, as well as the communities that depend on them.

Located just 70 km from Kinshasa and its international airport, the DRBL sits at the gates of one of Africa’s largest cities. The Bombo Lumene Restoration Project’s ambition is to restore the DRBL to its ecological baseline and former glory, re-establishing the integrity of its habitats and wildlife and creating a model of ecotourism, conservation and development in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The project is set to become the largest privately funded forest restoration project in the Congo Basin to date.

Position Overview

The Park Manager will oversee the full implementation and delivery of the restoration, conservation and development of the Domaine et Réserve Naturelle de Bombo Lumene (DRBL), an initiative now entering a major growth phase. With term sheets signed and scaling imminent, this senior leadership role requires a dynamic professional with exceptional operational management and community engagement capabilities. The successful candidate will guide one of Africa’s most ambitious and rapidly evolving conservation landscapes, ensuring its long-term ecological integrity and community benefits.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership: Oversee the full implementation of the DRBL restoration and conservation programme, ensuring that milestones, budgets, and outcomes are achieved.
Reforestation & Agroforestry: Work closely with partners to deliver 21,000 ha of reforestation and 3,000 ha of community-led agroforestry.
Operational Management: Oversee the development and expansion of all park activities, including infrastructure, logistics, and conservation operations.
Ranger Force Development: Manage the training, capacity building, and deployment of an expanded ranger force to ensure effective protection and monitoring of the reserve.
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with local communities, national authorities, and international partners to ensure strong collaboration and long-term sustainability.
Representation: Represent the DRBL and Tellus Conservation on the national and international stage, promoting the project’s conservation and restoration goals.
Governance & Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with Tellus Conservation policies, DRC legislation, and international best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

We welcome new talent and fresh perspectives into the conservation field, and therefore do not consider prior conservation experience a prerequisite for this role. What matters most is a proven ability to deliver large or complex projects within sub-Saharan Africa, combined with exceptional leadership, adaptability, and a hands-on commitment to driving meaningful change on the ground.

Essential:

Proven track record in large-scale project management and delivery.
Experience in conservation, reforestation or community engagement.
Strong leadership and organisational skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government agencies, donors, and conservation partners.
Fluency in both French and English (spoken and written).

Desirable (Optional):

Degree in conservation management, ecology, natural resource management, or a related field.
Experience in park management or large-scale conservation projects in Africa (and working with local nature conservation authorities, such as ICCN)
Personal Attributes

Passionate about conservation and community-driven landscape restoration.
Culturally sensitive and adaptable.
Excellent communicator and team leader.
Able to work in challenging and remote field environments.

Why Join Us

This is a challenging and deeply rewarding role at the heart of one of Africa’s most ambitious landscape restoration initiatives. The Bombo Lumene Restoration Project aims to set a new benchmark for restoration and conservation across the Congo and provides a rare opportunity to lead work that could redefine the future of conservation in the DRC. We are a dynamic, mission-driven, and growth-minded organisation, orientated toward action and a commitment to tangible results.