Job advert

Job title: General Manager, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

Work Location: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

Division/Department: Operations

■ Full-time □ Exempt
🞐 Part-time ■ Non-exempt

Overview
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) is one of Malawi’s leading conservation charities, working across five main
programme areas: wildlife rescue and welfare; biodiversity research; conservation justice; environmental
education; and campaigning. We are looking for a dynamic leader to become the new General Manager (GM)
of one of our flagship projects, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LWC).

LWC is a protected nature reserve run by LWT under concession from the Department of National Parks and
Wildlife (DNPW). As well as hosting the country’s only wildlife sanctuary, the site is also a key eco-tourism
destination, offering a range of nature-based attractions and experiences for local and international
audiences. It is also home to LWT’s environmental education centre, which offers experiential learning for
Malawian youth of all ages from the heart of a protected forest. LWC also hosts international volunteers who
undertake placements with our sanctuary and veterinary team. Over the last few years we have undertaken
significant development work to improve the infrastructure and facilities for our wildlife rescue, education and
eco-tourism work at LWC. We are now looking for a senior manager to build on this work and support LWC to
fulfil its mission as a critical eco-tourism site and thriving nature reserve.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the GM will be responsible for overseeing the broad portfolio of
programmes that operate from the LWC site. A critical part of the role will be implementing an ambitious new
three-year business plan, a key focus of which is ensuring financial sustainability for LWC through the
development of a range of income-generating activities. A proactive and problem-solving approach to the
challenges of running a busy, multi-purpose site is of paramount importance in this role and the GM will be
required to work closely with multiple areas of the organisation to achieve success. This is an exciting
opportunity for a skilled manager and strategic thinker to put their expertise to use in a unique setting for a
small but high-impact conservation organisation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

LWC Business Plan implementation

• Lead on the implementation of a three-year Business Plan for LWC to maximise income generating
activities in line with LWT’s mission and LWC’s objectives, with the aim of ensuring that LWC breaks even
within three years
• Foster a spirit of positivity and collaboration between LWC and all other LWT projects, ensuring that LWC is
aligned and engaged with other LWT projects and the overall strategic plan of LWT
• Develop and manage evaluation frameworks to assess LWC’s activities, budgets, staff and determine
performance and progress towards LWC’s objectives

Site operations
• Oversee new construction work and maintenance of current infrastructure to ensure site facilities are safe,
well-maintained and fit for purpose at all times.
• Lead on the development of any new LWC policies and Standard Operating Procedures; regularly review
current policies (at least annually), proposing improvements as necessary.
• Ensure together with the Director of Operations that health and safety procedures are in place at LWC with
regular training and drills.
• Manage all relevant governance procedures and documents to ensure LWC’s compliance with
government requirements in line with our Concession Agreement with DNPW
• Oversee and manage the condition and cleanliness of the site, making sure that the site is at all times well
cared for, well presented and upholds environmentally friendly standards
• Maintain government, donor and other stakeholder relationships that are key to the running of LWC

Grant and financial management

• Develop and provide overall supervision and accountability for LWC annual and project budgets and take
responsibility for financial performance at LWC, adhering to LWT’s organisational financial policies,
procedures, and practices
• Oversee procurement at LWC and ensure the collection and maintenance of adequate records for stock
and inventory control
• Implement maintenance plans for LWC to enhance financial planning
• Work with the Technical Director and Director of Development and Communications to develop grant
proposals, budgets and donor reports for LWC projects, and manage donor relationships (in some cases
acting as the direct lead on these)
• Support the Head of Environmental Education and Head of Wildlife Rehabilitation to achieve their grant
deliverables and deliver timely and comprehensive data collection and reporting for donors and trustees
• Submit timely and appropriate monthly reports, cash requests, financial trackers and other tools
• Regularly review and update LWT’s Directorate on LWC’s performance and provide recommendations for
improvements

Visitor experience and representation

• Ensure a high-quality visitor experience through the development and delivery of educational and leisure
activities, events and attractions (and accompanying signage, materials and guides) in line with the LWC
Business Plan; ensure that all activities comply with the site’s protected area status
• Ensure a high standard of customer service throughout all interactions with visitors
• Work closely with the Director of Development and Communications to develop and deliver a marketing
strategy to boost visitor numbers
• Work with the placements team and other LWC teams to ensure delivery of an exceptional volunteer
programme, reflected in consistently positive reviews
• Assist with organising and hosting VIP visits, e.g. from government officials, trustees, donors/supporters
• Represent LWC in external forums including in media interviews, where appropriate

Staff management and development

• Line manage the Head of Wildlife Rehabilitation, Head of Environmental Education and Deputy Manager of
LWC, including through regular team meetings, 1:1s and appraisals; provide support and guidance to
ensure they also effectively manage their teams.
• Provide mentorship and training to the Deputy Manager to ensure they are able to take on additional
operational and programmatic responsibilities.
• Work with the Director of Operations and HR manager on the recruitment, training, and disciplinary action
for LWC employees.

Overseeing LWC programmes

Wildlife rehabilitation
• Through line management of the Head of Wildlife Rehabilitation, ensure that exceptional standards of
animal welfare are upheld at all times, in line with the standards for LWC’s accreditations.
• Ensure that LWC complies with all necessary legislation regarding animal care and veterinary practice

Environmental education
• Through line management of the Head of Environmental Education, ensure that LWC delivers an action-
learning, nature-based programme for school children in line with agreed themes and lesson plans
• Ensure that all LWC staff comply with legislation and good practice for working with children and vulnerable
groups, and ensure enforcement at all times of LWT’s Safeguarding Policy
• Work with the Head of Environmental Education and the Directorate to develop new partnerships to deliver
education activities in support of LWT’s mission

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

Essential:
• At least five years’ demonstrable experience in a similar management role, ideally in an accredited wildlife
sanctuary or nature conservation project which included animal management and a schools/visitor
programme
• Passion for nature conservation
• Demonstrable leadership and people management skills; experience of working in diverse teams and
proactively supporting team members to reach their potential
• Demonstrable experience in financial management (with budgets of up to $200,000 / year)
• Proven experience of working independently and carrying out assignments to a high standard within
budget and timelines
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
• Ability to work well under pressure, juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Experience of living and working in a low-income country
• Excellent computer proficiency (Microsoft Office Professional including Excel)
• Fluent English (written and spoken)
• Physically fit
• Full clean driving licence

Preferable:
• Relevant qualifications in wildlife conservation/animal management or tourism
• Demonstrable experience managing and working in partnership with other organisations, including
government partners
• Demonstrable experience in procurement and stock management
• Experience in site maintenance and management
• Experience of living or working in Southern or Eastern Africa

To apply

Please send a CV (maximum of two pages) and covering letter (maximum of two pages) detailing your
suitability for the role to applications@[Link] no later than 9am on 2 September 2024. Please
send both documents as attachments to the email and use the job title in the email subject line.
Applications exceeding the page limits will not be considered.

LWT is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment decisions are based on
qualifications and experience, merit and organisational need and all reasonable adjustments will be
made where possible.