Conservation and Research Manager

Conservation and Research Manager

Conservation and Research Manager

African Parks Network

Akagera National Park-Kayonza, Rwanda

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Posted 02 November 2026

• Closing Date 15 November 2026

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Job Details

Division Akagera National Park

Business Unit Conservation and Research

Minimum experience Mid-Senior

Company primary industry Non-profit Organisation Management

Job functional area Research

Job Description

Position title

Conservation and Research Manager

Supervises:

1. Conservation and Research Department
2. Rhino Trackers
3. Interns and external researchers based in the Conservation & Research Department

Location

Akagera National Park (ANP),

Eastern Province, Rwanda

Reports to

Park Manager, ANP

Regional Conservation Manager, AP

Starting date

As soon as Possible

Position description

Facilitate and manage conservation research, data collection, and ecological monitoring. Support special projects, conservation initiatives, and contribute to wildlife management decisions. Increase the ecological and scientific understanding of the Akagera ecosystem, and forge research collaborations with external researchers and educational institutions. Support other departments through data sharing and collaboration. Document and file all initiatives including progress and annual reports on projects, and wildlife/ecological management plans. Support the development and implementation of ANP’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs. A core tenant of this role is developing the skills and independence of the Conservation & Research team.

Key relationships

1. Park Manager

2. Regional Conservation Manager

3. All ANP Heads of Departments

4. Rhino & Lion Monitoring Units

5. ConTech Team

6. Interns and external researchers based in the Conservation & Research Department.

7. Education and research institutions, both national and international

Major areas of responsibility and key targets

Responsibilities

• Key measures and targets

• Plan, design, and carry-out data collection to answer key ecological questions in and around ANP.

• 100% implementation of plans, continual updating of data sets, reporting on important findings, and updating key documents such as management plans.

• Collate data received from various data collection efforts, other departments, and external sources to make more efficient how data is used to inform management decisions.

• Generate maps and reports to summarize data collection and make this information readily available for all departments to use. Incorporate data from various departments and external sources to form a complete picture of the ecological network of ANP and the surrounding communities. Update key research questions annually.

• Ensure all reports are submitted on-time and correctly. Compile and summarize/analyse data.

• Submit regular reports (weekly, monthly, mid-year, and annual, as appropriate) on data collection efforts and key findings. Submit larger reports to summarize long-running projects as results become available.

• Improve on processes of data collection, compilation, and generation of outputs to serve management decisions.

• Make recommendations to improve the efficiency of data collection and reporting. Support other departments in designing data collection protocols and programs as needed.

• Instill professionalism in the Conservation & Research Department team and any staff that is worked with. Always meet deadlines, uphold commitments, and support other staff members whenever possible.

• Ensure safety measures are adhered to (zero mishaps) and report immediately of any disciplinary or safety issues. Exude professionalism and meet deadlines for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Ensure strong organization and communication.

• Participate in activities that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in the communities through sharing of findings and contributing to educational programs.

• Share findings with the Community Liaison Manager/Officers for dissemination in the communities to broaden ecological understanding and gain support for ANP. Participate in education programs as is appropriate.

• Monitoring of key species and protection of wildlife.

• Document any new species or anomalies, and continue monitoring key species as defined (black rhino, lion, elephant, giraffe, etc). Increase in wildlife numbers, zero key species lost to poaching, supporting law enforcement activities through sharing relevant data and information with the Law Enforcement Department. Update key research questions regarding key species annually.

• Update and implement the array of management plans.

• Lion, predators, rhinos, elephant, giraffe, and fire management plans updated and used. Not limited to.

• Support the development, updating, and implementation of ANP’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs.

• All documents are updated and used for guiding management decision-making, research priorities, and conservation planning in ANP.

• Support student interns and external researchers in ANP. Build relationships with external educational and research institutions.

• Engage with students, interns, and researchers to build capacity for the next generation of Rwandan conservationists and scientists. Form partnerships with educational and research institutions to collaborate on building capacity and addressing knowledge gaps in ANP.

• Contribute to annual budget development for conservation and research activities, and management of budget.

• Active participation in budget discussions, justifying budget lines, and ensuring all activities are captured. Keep meticulous records of spending and update burn rate tracker regularly to ensure spending and activities aligns with budget.

• Supervise the Rhino Tracking team and ensure daily monitoring of the rhino population.

• Daily rhino monitoring carried out, with all sightings recorded in EarthRanger. Every individual rhino located at the frequency set in the Rhino Management Plan. Sightings consolidated monthly, and the rhino population datasheet updated as needed. Monthly, mid-year, and annual rhino reports submitted on time. Tracker attendance, performance, equipment, and training managed.

• Plan and coordinate veterinary-led wildlife operations, including darting, collaring, contraception, and ear-notching.

• Two veterinary operations per year (February and October/November). Operations completed safely, with no avoidable incidents to people or animals. Rhino and lion datasets updated after every operation.

• Share EarthRanger administration with the ConTech team and maintain the department’s data systems.

• EarthRanger configuration (event types, subjects, and collar and tag integrations) kept accurate and aligned with field protocols, in coordination with ConTech. Survey123 forms and departmental datasets (research hub, collars and tags, fire, and monitoring datasets) kept up to date. Field staff trained in correct data capture.

• Develop the skills and independence of the Conservation & Research team.

• Every team member has an individual developm