Tourism & Protected Area Specialist

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has been a key player in African conservation and sustainable development.  In 1961, African Wildlife Leadership Foundation, Inc., later African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), was established to focus on Africa’s unique conservation needs. This chronology highlights important steps in AWF’s growth and success for the past 50 years.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Tourism & Protected Area Specialist
Job Location: Abuja
Summary


  • The successful candidate will assess and develop the Nigeria protected area system structure, develop business plans for target parks, and concession sustainable tourism in selected parks at the request of the Government of Nigeria.
  • This position will report to the Vice President for Programs, East & Southern Africa.
  • AWF is seeking a high-performing and results-oriented Tourism & Protected Area Specialist who will work with the Government of Nigeria to ensure successful implementation of an anticipated two-year project.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

  • Develop a holistic blueprint for commercialization of the National Park System in Nigeria to optimize tourism opportunities and increase self-generating revenue for the park system.
  • Oversee the project budget, contracts and all operations, ensuring efficient use of resources, and being responsible for accurate reporting and capturing best practices and lessons learned.
  • Review, improve, and develop the institutional structure of the protected area authority, drawing on global best practices and supporting commercial optimization of the protected areas.
  • Develop administrative procedures, policies, accounting manuals, and other frameworks required for a restructured wildlife authority.
  • Develop tourism and business plans for parks and identify potential PPP and business opportunities.
  • Concession tourism sites and activities in up to three parks deemed feasible for commercialization.
  • Oversee the protected area program, ensuring timely implementation and seamless coordination with the Government of Nigeria and AWF technical staff and conservation capital.

Job Qualifications

  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Excellent presentation skills.
  • Computer literate with a good knowledge of MS Office.
  • English speaking.
  • Experience working with protected area authorities in Africa.
  • Experience developing business plans for tourism operations.
  • At least 10 years’ experience working in protected area finance or tourism design and development in Africa.
  • Program management experience and coordination of field teams.
  • Ability to work well with governments and local authorities.
  • Experience in concessioning and tendering tourism facilities.
  • Familiarity with protected area global best practices.
  • Familiarity with Nigeria’s protected area system.

Note: Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, detailed CV, and a writing sample as a single PDF document indicating daytime telephone numbers, address, and the names of three referees with the job title in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted. Given the urgency in filling this position, candidates will be screened on an ongoing basis and the position will be closed once it is filled.

Application Closes on  22nd February, 2018.



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