Duties and Responsibilities
Key Performance Areas
1. Strategic Leadership:
The Director is appointed as head of the Park Management Unit (PMU) to develop and manage the Trust under the strategic guidance and supervision from the Board and in accordance with the following frameworks:
Parks and Wildlife Act, Policies,
ZimParks PPF co-management agreement,
GMPE Integrated Management Plan,
GMPE Strategic Business Plan and GMPE Five (5) year Business Plans.
The Director will:
Lead the development of the Trust as an organization;
Lead the development of the Strategic Business Plan, Five (5) year Business Plans and Integrated Management Plan;
Ensure that the Trust's mission and values are developed and reflected in all activities and initiatives;
Steer the PMU to ensure program effectiveness and alignment with the Trust's mission;
Guide the development of policies, procedures, standard operation procedures related to, amongst others, human resources, finance, procurement, risk and compliance, community engagement, tourism development, counter poaching;
2. Program Development and implementation:
The Director will endorse the overall responsibility of program development and implementation in all sectors of activities of the Trust (conservation, law enforcement, community, commercialization).
The Director will oversee:
The preparation of a continuous five-year work plan and annual budget for approval by the Board;
The implementation of the activities and plans as outlined in the Business Plan;
The Director will:
Monitor performance of the Trust;
Engage with project implementors via SLA’s, including with PPF for support services to the Trust.
3. Conservation Management:
The Director will oversee all aspects related to conservation within the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem and ensure adherence to conservation principles, laws, and agreements. This includes:
Developing and implementing conservation strategies in alignment with the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem co-management agreement, Integrated Management Plan, and Strategic Business Plan;
Directing efforts to monitor and preserve biodiversity, including the development of hunting quotas and monitoring performance;
4. Tourism
The Director will ensure that tourism initiatives align with the Trust 's conservation goals while also fostering sustainable development as foreseen in the Strategic Business Plan and other relevant documents.
The Director will:
Guide the development of comprehensive tourism plans that balance the preservation of natural habitats and wildlife with the promotion of responsible tourism practices. These strategies should aim to enhance visitor experiences, return to the Trust, while minimizing environmental impact.
Steer tourism planning and zonation for maintaining the integrity of the GMPE.
5. Communities
The Director will make sure that the PMU continuously and proactively engages the neighbouring communities over related conservation and livelihood activities. The Director will ensure that the Trust unlocks benefits for surrounding communities and stem deforestation and HWC.
To do so, the Director will:
Promote inclusive partnerships between the Trust and local communities which fosters participation and custodianship of the GMPE;
Oversee the development of a strong program at the Trust level to assist communities in dealing with and managing human wildlife conflict and partner with organization active on this topic on and within the borders of GMPE;
6. Financial Management:
The Director will provide oversight to the financial management of the Trust, including budgeting, fundraising, and fiscal management.
The Director will:
Make sure that the Trust follows the international best practices in terms of management of funds;
Seek and secure funding sources, grants, and donations to support the Trust's programs and initiatives;
7. Stakeholder Engagement:
The Director will endorse the primarily responsibility of stakeholders engagement and relationship for the Trust, both within and outside GMPE.
The Director will:
Develop, promote and maintain good working relationships with all interested parties, including donors, government agencies, NGOs, concessionaires and communities;
Advocate for the Trust’s mission and objectives at various levels, including public speaking and media engagement;
8. Team Leadership:
The Director will foster a positive, inspiring, and collaborative work environment that empowers employees to actively work toward organization wide goals.
The Director will:
Recruit, develop, and manage the PMU as a high-performing team of professionals;
Be responsible of all staff and foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture that promotes innovation and excellence.
9. Governance and Board Relations:
The Director will work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure effective governance and board engagement.
The Director will:
Provide regular updates and reports to the Board on the Trust's activities and financial performance;
Submit technical and financial progress reports to the Board on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis;
10. Compliance and Legal Matters:
The Director will steer the Trust towards best international practices in term of risks and compliance.
The Director will:
Ensure that all risks and safeguard management plans are developed, resourced and adhered to;
Ensure the establishment and effective operation of a Grievance Mechanism and Stakeholder Engagement Plans within the Trust, aligning with the expectations and standards set forth by international donors;
11. Public Relations and Communications:
The Director will:
Serve as the public face of the Trust, representing it at conferences, events, and in the media;
Develop and implement a comprehensive communication and marketing strategy.
12. TFCA
The Director will ensure that the Trust is involved in the TFCA discussions, meetings, workshops, conferences.
