Selous Game Reserve is one of Africa’s largest protected areas and a cornerstone of Tanzania’s conservation landscape. Conserving this globally significant ecosystem requires effective protected area management, strong institutions, and close collaboration between conservation partners and government authorities.

Through the Selous Conservation Programme (SCP), FZS works alongside the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) to strengthen protected area management systems, support law enforcement and resource protection, enhance ecological monitoring, and build the institutional capacity required to safeguard the Selous ecosystem for the long term.

The programme is rooted in partnership and focuses on supporting the effective management of Selous Game Reserve through practical, field-based conservation interventions and long-term investment in management effectiveness.

About The Position:

The Programme Manager leads, coordinates, and advances the Selous Conservation Programme, ensuring delivery of a protected area management–focused programme that directly supports the effective management of Selous Game Reserve (SGR).

The role focuses on strengthening core protected area management functions, including law enforcement support, ecological monitoring, infrastructure, planning, institutional capacity and stakeholder engagement in close collaboration with government authorities.

Operating in a remote and complex environment, the role requires a strong focus on enabling effective field-based management systems and supporting operational delivery across the landscape.

The Programme Manager provides strategic, technical, financial, and operational oversight to ensure that programme interventions improve management effectiveness, contribute to biodiversity conservation outcomes and stakeholder engagement and support the long-term sustainability of the Selous ecosystem.

Responsibilities or duties

Support SGR management in defining and implementing protected area management priorities, management plans, and annual operational plans.

Ensure programme activities are aligned with national conservation policies, SGR management strategies, and agreed operational priorities.

Strengthen protected area management systems, including law enforcement, patrol deployment, resource protection, ecological monitoring, and management effectiveness.

Provide strategic, technical, logistical, and operational support to strengthen law enforcement and patrol operations in close collaboration with reserve management.

Lead the planning, coordination, resourcing, and implementation of programme activities, including field operations, infrastructure, equipment, procurement, and logistics.

Ensure effective financial management through sound budgeting, forecasting, expenditure oversight, and timely financial reporting.

Provide line management, supervision, mentoring, and performance oversight to the SCP Programme Team and promote staff development and organisational learning.

Maintain strong working relationships with TAWA, SGR management, relevant government institutions, donors, communities, traditional leaders, CBOs, hunting concessions, and implementing partners.

Represent the programme in relevant coordination, governance, technical, and policy forums.

Identify and assess external threats to SGR, particularly in buffer zones, and work with relevant stakeholders to develop practical and proactive responses.

Support the development and implementation of Human–Wildlife Conflict strategies in collaboration with government authorities, communities, and other key stakeholders.

Strengthen the institutional capacity, systems, processes, and operational effectiveness of SGR management and staff.

Identify funding opportunities, contribute to proposal development, and maintain constructive relationships with donors and funding partners.

Ensure the timely preparation and submission of high-quality technical and financial reports by coordinating inputs from programme, technical, finance, and operations teams.

Support communication of programme results, achievements, and visibility.

Work closely with the Partnership Development Hub Director, the Landscape Conservation Programme Manager, and the Programme Manager – Nyerere Conservation Programme.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Advanced degree, such as an MSc or equivalent, in conservation, natural resource management, or a related field

Experience needed

Minimum five years of relevant experience in protected area management or conservation programme management, preferably within an African context

Proven experience in strengthening and supporting protected area management systems

Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and donor reporting

Experience working collaboratively with government authorities, partner organisations, and field-based teams

Willingness and ability to live and work in remote and operational field environments

Strong commitment to conservation objectives and the protection of natural resources

High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership of decisions and results

Strong leadership and people management skills, including the ability to provide clear direction and support employee development and performance

Ability to set clear priorities, manage budgets and resources effectively, and monitor progress against agreed plans

Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify key issues and develop practical solutions

Ability to build constructive relationships, collaborate effectively with stakeholders at different levels, and contribute positively to team performance and organisational culture

Strategic and long-term perspective combined with a practical, adaptable approach to programme management

Fluency in English and working knowledge of Kiswahili

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

We Offer:

The opportunity to contribute to the effective management of one of Africa’s largest protected areas.

A role with significant responsibility and scope for impact within a globally important conservation landscape.

Close collaboration with TAWA, government partners, donors, and experienced conservation practitioners.

The opportunity to live and work in a unique field-based conservation setting.

A committed and professional international conservation environment.

A competitive package commensurate with qualifications and experience.

• Support SGR management in defining and implementing protected area management priorities, management plans, and annual operational plans.
• Ensure programme activities are aligned with national conservation policies, SGR management strategies, and agreed operational priorities.
• Strengthen protected area management systems, including law enforcement, patrol deployment, resource protection, ecological monitoring, and management effectiveness.
• Provide strategic, technical, logistical, and operational support to strengthen law enforcement and patrol operations in close collaboration with reserve management.
• Lead the planning, coordination, resourcing, and implementation of programme activities, including field operations, infrastructure, equipment, procurement, and logistics.
• Ensure effective financial management through sound budgeting, forecasting, expenditure oversight, and timely financial reporting.
• Provide line management, supervision, mentoring, and performance oversight to the SCP Programme Team and promote staff development and organisational learning.
• Maintain strong working relationships with TAWA, SGR management, relevant government institutions, donors, communities, traditional leaders, CBOs, hunting concessions, and implementing partners.
• Represent the programme in relevant coordination, governance, technical, and policy forums.
• Identify and assess external threats to SGR, particularly in buffer zones, and work with relevant stakeholders to develop practical and proactive responses.
• Support the development and implementation of Human–Wildlife Conflict strategies in collaboration with government authorities, communities, and other key stakeholders.
• Strengthen the institutional capacity, systems, processes, and operational effectiveness of SGR management and staff.
• Identify funding opportunities, contribute to proposal development, and maintain constructive relationships with donors and funding partners.
• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of high-quality technical and financial reports by coordinating inputs from programme, technical, finance, and operations teams.
• Support communication of programme results, achievements, and visibility.
• Work closely with the Partnership Development Hub Director, the Landscape Conservation Programme Manager, and the Programme Manager – Nyerere Conservation Programme.

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Ability to set clear priorities, manage budgets and resources effectively, and monitor progress against agreed plans
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to build constructive relationships, collaborate effectively with stakeholders at different levels
• Strategic and long-term perspective combined with a practical, adaptable approach
• Fluency in English
• Working knowledge of Kiswahili

• Advanced degree, such as an MSc or equivalent, in conservation, natural resource management, or a related field
• Minimum five years of relevant experience in protected area management or conservation programme management, preferably within an African context
• Proven experience in strengthening and supporting protected area management systems
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and donor reporting
• Experience working collaboratively with government authorities, partner organisations, and field-based teams
• Willingness and ability to live and work in remote and operational field environments
• Strong commitment to conservation objectives and the protection of natural resources
• High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership of decisions and results