Job Description for a Protected Area Law Enforcement Advisor for Bale Mountains National Park

The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is an international conservation organisation based in Germany. FZS is active in biodiversity-rich areas with projects on four continents. The Africa Programme is the organisation’s largest and oldest. In Ethiopia, FZS has been active on the ground for well over fifteen years and currently focusses on the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP). We support the Ethiopian Government and the adjacent local communities in conserving Africa’s largest tract of afroalpine habitat and the adjacent tropical forest with its unique and endangered biodiversity.

FZS is planning to increase its support to BMNP management by building the capacity of its protected area law enforcement system. We are therefore looking to establish a new position of Protected Area Law Enforcement Advisor to work with the BMNP and FZS team on the ground. The work will be field based and requires a hands-on, practical approach. As well as evaluating ranger patrolling systems and assessing performance in order to develop an improved system, and supporting the Ranger Based Monitoring system, the successful applicant will play a key role in developing SOPs and guidelines for the BMNP Law enforcement system that incorporate Environmental and Social Safeguards.

Job Summary

1. Position in the organization

 a. The FZS Protected Area Law Enforcement Advisor reports to the FZS Project Manager, Bale Mountains National Park.

b. The FZS PA LE Advisor will work closely with the BMNP Chief Warden, the BMNP LE Warden, and the FZS SMART and Operations Room Manager.

2. Purpose of the job

 a. Responsible for improving the professionalism, effectiveness and efficiency of the BMNP LE Team.

b. Responsible for ensuring that the BMNP LE Team operates according to world standards regarding human rights.

3. Main outputs a. Well trained and efficient law enforcement team in place that is conducting effective law enforcement for resource protection in collaboration with local authorities and communities.

b. Development and implementation of the SMART monitoring system.

c. Effective implementation of the Performance Management System (PMS) with respect to the law enforcement team, and associated staff and infrastructure.

d. Strategies and systems for the security of ranger outposts and temporary ranger camps developed.

e. Recruitment of high standard new rangers and implementation of the training plan.

f. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on recommendations outlined in the Law Enforcement Risk Assessment (LERA) report developed and implemented.

 g. LE Warden and SMART and Operations Room manager advised in the implementation of the monthly LE planning cycle, including data management and analysis, patrol planning, and reporting.

h. Intelligence gathering mechanism for key illegal activities such as poisoning of predators established.

i. Participation in patrols in-between the LE planning cycles to build the capacity of Head Rangers and platoons in the field.

This post is being advertised nationally and internationally and is a one year post potentially renewable depending on performance and funding.

1. Qualifications and experience – essential

a. Significant (> 5 years) working in protected areas in Africa with direct experience in law enforcement operations.

b. A diploma or higher in wildlife management or equivalent.

c. Experience of ranger operations, training and law enforcement, with an emphasis on conflict management and social safeguards in different contexts.

d. Understanding of LE monitoring, ideally using SMART platforms, and intelligence gathering.

e. Ability and willingness to live in a remote area and spend time in the field.

f. Fluency in written and spoken English.

g. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

h. Practical skills in building, infrastructure management and vehicle use and maintenance.

2. Qualifications and experience – desired

a. Experience as a warden or section ranger with responsibility for park operations.

b. Any additional relevant tertiary education

3. Behavioural competencies

a. Leadership qualities.

b. Ability to develop and motivate others.

c. Problem solving skills.

d. Ability to exercise patience.

e. Structured thinking and systems oriented.