Hiring Organization: Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Peace Parks Foundation)
Job Location: Nyamepi, ZimbabweReference Number: RR_2025_SA_012
Job Location: Nyamepi, ZimbabweReference Number: RR_2025_SA_012
Employer: Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust
(in partnership between Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Peace Parks Foundation)
Duration: 5-year Contract
Reporting to: Director: Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust
BACKGROUND
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Peace Parks Foundation have signed a 20-year co-management agreement for the sustainable development and management of the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem. This Ecosystem includes the Mana Pools National Park (MPNP) and the Hurungwe, Sapi, and Chewore Safari Areas, which collectively cover a total area of 9 636km2.
Under this co-management agreement, a special non-profit and tax-efficient legal entity incorporated in Zimbabwe, the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust, was created to collaboratively manage this Ecosystem. The Trust is led by a director and overseen by a Board of Trustees, consisting of an equal number of representatives from ZimParks and Peace Parks Foundation.
ZimParks is an agency of the Government of Zimbabwe responsible for the management of protected areas within the parks estates mandated by the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 20.14).
Peace Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that specializes in conservation at scale through the development of Transfrontier Conservation Areas and the long-term management of key protected areas in partnership with government conservation agencies and communities within these landscapes.
JOB PROFILE
You are an experienced law enforcement professional with expertise in conservation security, anti-poaching, or protected area operations. You are highly skilled in building and strengthening systems, training personnel, and applying technologies that enhance effectiveness in the field. You bring integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment to your work, with the ability to operate in challenging, remote environments and to mentor and build capacity within diverse teams.
In this role, success depends on your ability to collaborate with government agencies, partners, and cross-border networks to strengthen coordination and cooperation. The position requires a commitment to advancing ethical, effective, and well-resourced law enforcement operations that safeguard biodiversity and maintain the integrity of conservation landscapes. If you are dedicated to applying your expertise to make a lasting impact on both ecosystems and communities, we invite you to join our team.
JOB PURPOSE
The Law Enforcement Advisor is a technical expert responsible for supporting the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust and its partners in enhancing the effectiveness, professionalism, and coordination of field-based law enforcement operations across the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem. This role focuses on strengthening policies, systems, personnel capacity, equipment, technologies, and cross-border cooperation in order to improve biodiversity protection, area integrity, and security within this critical conservation landscape.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Operational Assessment and Advisory
(in partnership between Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Peace Parks Foundation)
Duration: 5-year Contract
Reporting to: Director: Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust
BACKGROUND
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Peace Parks Foundation have signed a 20-year co-management agreement for the sustainable development and management of the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem. This Ecosystem includes the Mana Pools National Park (MPNP) and the Hurungwe, Sapi, and Chewore Safari Areas, which collectively cover a total area of 9 636km2.
Under this co-management agreement, a special non-profit and tax-efficient legal entity incorporated in Zimbabwe, the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust, was created to collaboratively manage this Ecosystem. The Trust is led by a director and overseen by a Board of Trustees, consisting of an equal number of representatives from ZimParks and Peace Parks Foundation.
ZimParks is an agency of the Government of Zimbabwe responsible for the management of protected areas within the parks estates mandated by the Parks and Wildlife Act (Chapter 20.14).
Peace Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that specializes in conservation at scale through the development of Transfrontier Conservation Areas and the long-term management of key protected areas in partnership with government conservation agencies and communities within these landscapes.
JOB PROFILE
You are an experienced law enforcement professional with expertise in conservation security, anti-poaching, or protected area operations. You are highly skilled in building and strengthening systems, training personnel, and applying technologies that enhance effectiveness in the field. You bring integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment to your work, with the ability to operate in challenging, remote environments and to mentor and build capacity within diverse teams.
In this role, success depends on your ability to collaborate with government agencies, partners, and cross-border networks to strengthen coordination and cooperation. The position requires a commitment to advancing ethical, effective, and well-resourced law enforcement operations that safeguard biodiversity and maintain the integrity of conservation landscapes. If you are dedicated to applying your expertise to make a lasting impact on both ecosystems and communities, we invite you to join our team.
JOB PURPOSE
The Law Enforcement Advisor is a technical expert responsible for supporting the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem Conservation Trust and its partners in enhancing the effectiveness, professionalism, and coordination of field-based law enforcement operations across the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem. This role focuses on strengthening policies, systems, personnel capacity, equipment, technologies, and cross-border cooperation in order to improve biodiversity protection, area integrity, and security within this critical conservation landscape.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Operational Assessment and Advisory
Conduct a comprehensive review of existing law enforcement operations, deployment strategies, stand operating procedures, and standard patrol protocols.
Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities in operational practices and advise on best-in-class law enforcement models for protected area management.
Develop and advise on area-specific and risk-based law enforcement strategies, considering terrain, threats, resource availability, and seasonal variation.
B. Policy and Procedure Improvement
Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities in operational practices and advise on best-in-class law enforcement models for protected area management.
Develop and advise on area-specific and risk-based law enforcement strategies, considering terrain, threats, resource availability, and seasonal variation.
B. Policy and Procedure Improvement
Review current law enforcement policies, codes of conduct, and disciplinary procedures within the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem.
Recommend updates or new policies to enhance legality, professionalism, accountability, and effectiveness.
Support alignment with national laws, ZimParks protocols, and international norms (e.g., ICCWC standards).
C. Skills and Training Needs Assessment
Recommend updates or new policies to enhance legality, professionalism, accountability, and effectiveness.
Support alignment with national laws, ZimParks protocols, and international norms (e.g., ICCWC standards).
C. Skills and Training Needs Assessment
Assess the current skills and competencies of rangers and law enforcement personnel, including knowledge of procedures, weapon handling, surveillance, and community engagement.
Work with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to recommend and design training programmes, including:Basic and advanced ranger training
Human rights and use-of-force protocols
Leadership and field command
Tactical and situational awareness
Intelligence gathering and reporting
Mentor field officers in the application of new skills and operational approaches
D. Technology and Equipment Advisory
Work with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to recommend and design training programmes, including:Basic and advanced ranger training
Human rights and use-of-force protocols
Leadership and field command
Tactical and situational awareness
Intelligence gathering and reporting
Mentor field officers in the application of new skills and operational approaches
D. Technology and Equipment Advisory
Assess the adequacy and condition of current field equipment, vehicles, communications systems, surveillance tools, uniforms, and weapons.
Advise on appropriate new technologies, including:GPS/radio tracking systems
EarthRanger
SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool)
Camera traps and drones
Digital data entry and reporting tools
Support procurement planning and ensure that recommended technologies are fit-for-purpose, scalable, and sustainable.
E. Law Enforcement Data and Reporting Systems
Advise on appropriate new technologies, including:GPS/radio tracking systems
EarthRanger
SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool)
Camera traps and drones
Digital data entry and reporting tools
Support procurement planning and ensure that recommended technologies are fit-for-purpose, scalable, and sustainable.
E. Law Enforcement Data and Reporting Systems
Review the current data collection, storage, analysis, and reporting systems used in law enforcement.
Recommend improvements to strengthen:Real-time intelligence sharing
SMART reporting quality and frequency
Integration of patrol data with ecological monitoring
Support the design of dashboards or visualisation tools for performance tracking and adaptive law enforcement planning.
F. Cross-Border and Inter-Agency Coordination
Recommend improvements to strengthen:Real-time intelligence sharing
SMART reporting quality and frequency
Integration of patrol data with ecological monitoring
Support the design of dashboards or visualisation tools for performance tracking and adaptive law enforcement planning.
F. Cross-Border and Inter-Agency Coordination
Identify existing challenges and opportunities for cross-border law enforcement cooperation with neighbouring countries (e.g., Zambia).
Recommend strategies and platforms for improved collaboration, including:Joint patrols and intelligence-sharing mechanisms
Harmonisation of protocols for arrests and prosecutions
Regional training and coordination forums
Work with ZimParks to facilitate engagements with Interpol, regional wildlife crime networks, customs, and border police.
G. Reporting and Advisory Support
Recommend strategies and platforms for improved collaboration, including:Joint patrols and intelligence-sharing mechanisms
Harmonisation of protocols for arrests and prosecutions
Regional training and coordination forums
Work with ZimParks to facilitate engagements with Interpol, regional wildlife crime networks, customs, and border police.
G. Reporting and Advisory Support
Prepare regular technical reports and briefings to the Director, Board of Trustees, and ZimParks on:Law enforcement performance
Emerging risks and threats (e.g., poaching trends, trafficking routes)
Recommended actions or investments
Participate in multi-stakeholder security forums and planning processes.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Essential:
Emerging risks and threats (e.g., poaching trends, trafficking routes)
Recommended actions or investments
Participate in multi-stakeholder security forums and planning processes.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Essential:
A degree or equivalent qualification in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Wildlife Management, Security Studies, or a related field.
Minimum 10 years’ operational experience in protected area law enforcement, military, policing, or paramilitary roles.
Demonstrated experience in ranger training, security systems development, and conservation law enforcement.
Experience working with tools SMART, GPS tracking, communications systems, and security infrastructure planning.
Strong knowledge of poaching networks, wildlife crime dynamics, and intelligence-based enforcement.
Desirable:
Minimum 10 years’ operational experience in protected area law enforcement, military, policing, or paramilitary roles.
Demonstrated experience in ranger training, security systems development, and conservation law enforcement.
Experience working with tools SMART, GPS tracking, communications systems, and security infrastructure planning.
Strong knowledge of poaching networks, wildlife crime dynamics, and intelligence-based enforcement.
Desirable:
Experience in transboundary conservation law enforcement, particularly in southern Africa.
Knowledge of Zimbabwean environmental and wildlife protection laws and enforcement systems.
Training certifications (e.g., in tactical operations, ranger instruction, drone use).
Fluency in local languages and familiarity with the socio-political dynamics of the GMPE area.
Key Competencies
Knowledge of Zimbabwean environmental and wildlife protection laws and enforcement systems.
Training certifications (e.g., in tactical operations, ranger instruction, drone use).
Fluency in local languages and familiarity with the socio-political dynamics of the GMPE area.
Key Competencies
Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to coach, advise, and motivate field teams.
Analytical Thinking: Skilled in threat assessments, data interpretation, and operational planning.
Technical Proficiency: Up-to-date knowledge of surveillance, security, and reporting technologies.
Discretion and Integrity: High ethical standards in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
Cross-Cultural Communication: Ability to work across cultures and with diverse teams, including community scouts, military, and non-government organisations.
Conflict Sensitivity: Awareness of community dynamics and human rights in conservation enforcement.
Working Conditions
Analytical Thinking: Skilled in threat assessments, data interpretation, and operational planning.
Technical Proficiency: Up-to-date knowledge of surveillance, security, and reporting technologies.
Discretion and Integrity: High ethical standards in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
Cross-Cultural Communication: Ability to work across cultures and with diverse teams, including community scouts, military, and non-government organisations.
Conflict Sensitivity: Awareness of community dynamics and human rights in conservation enforcement.
Working Conditions
Based primarily in the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem landscape, with regular travel to field stations and remote ranger posts.
May require field deployment under rugged conditions, with long hours and exposure to wildlife/security risks.
Coordination travel to regional partners (including cross-border) will be required periodically.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a Curriculum Vitae, with full address, telephone number and email address. These should be submitted by 7 November 2025.
Apply online.
A competitive salary package will be negotiated, based on qualifications and experience.
May require field deployment under rugged conditions, with long hours and exposure to wildlife/security risks.
Coordination travel to regional partners (including cross-border) will be required periodically.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a Curriculum Vitae, with full address, telephone number and email address. These should be submitted by 7 November 2025.
Apply online.
A competitive salary package will be negotiated, based on qualifications and experience.