Conservation Field Assistant

Position: Conservation Field Assistant

Organization: African Parks Network – Ethiopia

Location: Gambella National Park

Report to: Conservation Manager

Expected Starting Date: as soon as possible

Type of contract: one year renewable

Vacancy Closing Date: November 10, 2025

BACKGROUND:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Gambella National Park was established as a protected area in 1973 and is 4,575 km² in size. It forms the northern anchor of a much larger contiguous system, with a network of protected areas in southern Ethiopia and neighboring South Sudan. The park hosts several wildlife species including an important population of Nile Lechwe, Ethiopia’s largest population of elephant,

healthy lion populations, one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world and a shoebill population. Gambella also forms part of the white-eared kob migration between South Sudan and Ethiopia – the largest land mammal migration on earth comprising around 6 million animals.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Conservation Field Assistant will support the Conservation Department of Gambella National Park. The incumbent will assist in all field activities, such as the deployment and maintenance of camera traps and wildlife collars, mitigation of human wildlife conflict, aerial surveys and questionnaires. The position requires willingness to live and work in remote areas.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in planning, design, and implementation of data collection to answer key ecological questions in and around NP.
• Collaborate with other departments in data collection efforts, for example:
• Law Enforcement team (rangers) in using Earth Ranger
• Community team in monitoring and addressing Human wildlife Conflict
• Assist with Land Use Planning and surveys in the Tedo area
• Participate in activities that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in the communities through sharing findings and contributing to educational programs.
• Monitoring key species and protection of wildlife.
• Support student interns and researchers in NP.
• Security of all staff and assets

Key measures and targets

• 100% implementation of plans, continual updating of data sets, and contributed to reporting on important findings.
• All relevant data collected and made accessible contributed to reduction of illegal activities and human-wildlife conflict in and around the NP.
• Data collected to support the development of the Tedo area as a Protected Area
• Share findings with the Community Liaison Manager/Officers for dissemination in the communities to broaden ecological understanding and gain support for NP. Participate in education programs as is appropriate.
• Document any new species or anomalies and continue to monitor key species.
• Support law enforcement activities through sharing relevant data and information with Law Enforcement Department.
• Engaged with consultants and students and build capacity for the next generation of conservationists and scientists.
• Zero theft, zero accident.

What success looks like

1. Data available for species lists and population estimates in NP.
2. Data available to answer key ecological questions regarding, but not limited to, wetland dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and ecological health that will inform management decisions and actions.
3. Contribute to Land Use Planning, law enforcement and human wildlife conflict mitigation.
4. Multiple students working successfully.
5. Support the Law Enforcement and Community Departments through sharing relevant data and information
6. Continue to improve and develop research capacities and facilities at NP to broaden the scope of data collection and ecological understanding of the Park.
7. Engage with communities through data sharing and educational programs to grow ecological understanding and foster pride in NP.
8. Minimum accidents

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of BSc in ecology, park management, wildlife conservation, or equivalent
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in ecology, conservation, wildlife management, or related research
• Experience of work in multiple protected areas or National Parks
• Fluent in English, any local language is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and be flexible
• Computer literate, including Microsoft word, PowerPoint, Excel …
• Experience with using camera traps, handheld GPS units, and other related conservation technologies
• Clean record of conduct (no convictions)
• Physically fit and able to be in field for extended periods (to undergo fitness and medical annually)
• Between 20 and 40 years of age.
• Being Ethiopian and from the region is an asset