Role Summary

The PUWR Manager is the senior Space for Giants (SFG) representative based at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve (PUWR). The role provides strategic leadership for the Collaborative Management Partnership between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and SFG, ensuring successful implementation of the General Management Plan, Business Plan, and Annual Work Plans.

Working closely with the UWA Chief Warden, the PUWR Manager oversees conservation programmes, reserve operations, biodiversity management, law enforcement, community engagement, tourism development, infrastructure, carbon finance, financial management, stakeholder relations, and institutional capacity building. The role reports operationally to the UWA Chief Warden and administratively to the SFG Managing Director of Conservation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Protected Area Management

• Lead implementation of the General Management Plan, Business Plan, and Annual Work Plans.

• Coordinate daily reserve operations with the Chief Warden.

• Ensure programmes are delivered within approved budgets and partnership agreements.

• Develop operational priorities, policies, SOPs, and performance targets.

• Oversee administration, logistics, fleet, ICT, and operational support.

• Ensure compliance with Ugandan laws, UWA regulations, and SFG policies.

• Lead planning workshops and programme reviews.

• Provide technical advice on protected area management.

2. Biodiversity Conservation

• Lead biodiversity conservation and ecological management programmes.

• Oversee wildlife surveys, habitat monitoring, camera trapping, and species recovery.

• Manage ecological monitoring systems and databases.

• Coordinate habitat restoration, invasive species control, fire management, wildlife translocations, and research partnerships.

3. Law Enforcement & Security

• Strengthen reserve security alongside the Chief Warden.

• Implement law enforcement strategies.

• Coordinate ranger logistics, equipment, and conservation technologies including EarthRanger, LoRa, and VHF radios.

• Monitor enforcement performance and promote ranger welfare and development.

4. Community Conservation

• Lead community conservation programmes.

• Build relationships with communities, local governments, and Community Wildlife Associations.

• Support human-wildlife conflict mitigation.

• Promote conservation education, awareness, and benefit-sharing initiatives.

5. Nature-Based Economy

• Oversee sustainable livelihood programmes.

• Manage the PUWR Rangeland Carbon Project.

• Support conservation enterprises and local employment opportunities.

6. Financial Management

• Manage programme budgets and expenditures.

• Ensure compliance with donor agreements and funding requirements.

• Monitor financial performance and reporting.

7. Monitoring & Evaluation

• Support development of monitoring and evaluation systems.

• Track programme performance, threats, indicators, and conservation impact.

• Assist communications teams with impact reporting.

8. Fundraising

• Support grant applications and donor reporting.

• Prepare concept notes, proposals, presentations, and fundraising materials.

9. Strategy

• Contribute to reserve management plans, business planning, and conservation strategies.

Organisational Responsibilities

Finance

• Support departmental budgeting and grant preparation.

Risk Management

• Identify project risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

Compliance

• Ensure regulatory compliance and report deviations.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain relationships with governments, donors, communities, consultants, vendors, volunteers, and partner organisations.

Performance Management

• Identify staffing and training needs.

• Conduct performance reviews.

• Support employee engagement initiatives.

• Manage leave, travel, and timesheets.

• Mentor staff and interns.

Representation

• Represent Space for Giants at meetings, conferences, and external events.

• Complete additional assignments from the Managing Director of Conservation.

Culture & Values

• Promote the organisation's values of Passion, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, Innovation, Teamwork, Professionalism, and Commitment to Conservation.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in protected area, conservation, or natural resource management.

• Experience managing protected areas, multidisciplinary conservation programmes, and complex projects.

• Proven collaboration with governments, communities, donors, NGOs, and private sector partners.

• Experience managing large budgets, procurement, contracts, and donor-funded programmes.

Education

• Master's degree in Conservation, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, Programme Management, Planning, or a related field.

• Postgraduate qualification in Business Management or Project Management is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• Protected area governance and landscape conservation.

• Biodiversity conservation and ecological monitoring.

• Community conservation and stakeholder engagement.

• Conservation finance, tourism, carbon finance, or biodiversity credits.

• Law enforcement and ranger support.

• GIS (ArcGIS/QGIS), EarthRanger, GPS, LoRaWAN, VHF/UHF communications, and conservation technologies.

• Financial management and strategic planning.

• Strong analytical, organisational, negotiation, leadership, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently in remote environments.

• High integrity and professionalism.

• Fluency in English; Kiswahili or local languages is an advantage.

• Valid driver's licence with off-road driving experience.

• Willingness to be based full-time at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and travel extensively.