African Parks (AP) is a non-profit organisation that takes on direct responsibility for rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas, in partnership with governments and local communities. By adopting a business approach to conservation. supported by donor funding, African Parks aims to make each park sustainable in the long-term, thereby contributing to economic development and poverty alleviation. Currently African Parks in Malai manages Majete Wildlife Reserve, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserves and Liwonde National Park.

African Parks – Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve invites suitably qualified, experienced and passionate Malawians to fill the following vacant position.

Position: Assistant Tourism Manager
Reports to Field Operations Manager
Location: Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

Job overview:

To assist develop the Tourism Department of Nchotakota Wildlife Reserve in a manner that ensures that all of the obligations outlined in the Public-Private Partnership Agreement are adequately met and systems put in place to ensure effective implementation and management of all tourism and community enterprise activities in and around Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve as outlined in the 5-year Business Plan.

Key functions

a) Concessions

The Assistant Tourism Manager will be responsible for:

1. In consultation with the Park Manager and the Tourism Development Manager, lead any new Expression of Interest and Request for Proposal processes around the award and subsequent development of concessions in the Park.
2. Together with Park Manager and Head of Commercial Development APN, negotiating the Terms and conditions of any new concessions with successful developers and operators.
3. Upholding the terms and conditions of all concession agreements and ensuring that the relevant operator is accountable.

b) Tourism, Enterprise Development and Other Plans

The ATM will be responsible for:

1. Facilitating implementation of the Tourism Development Plan for Nkhotakota Wildlife in conjunction with the Park Manager and other relevant stakeholders.
2. In cooperation with the Community Development Manager, assist identifying opportunities for sustainable community enterprise projects and compile all proposals and plans related thereto.
3. Driving key planning processes that wil have a direct bearing on commercial and/or enterprise activities and ensure that the outcome aligns with the Vision and Objecives of the Reserve.

c) Revenue

The ATM will be responsible for:

1. Focusing on achieving realistic and agreed stretch revenue targets for the Reserve. Nkhotakota WR is a Category 3 Park and therefore will need to focus on achieving 25% di its Operating Expenditure (OPEX) through Commercial revenue in the fulfilment of the mandate.
2. Ensuring the implementation and training on new revenue hardware and software at the Park gate and AP run facility as envisaged by Head Office for revenue collection and reporting.

d) Commercial Infrastructure and Aesthetics

The ATM will be responsible for:

1. Ensuring professional upkeep and appearance in line with the agreed Nkhotakota Brand language of all guest facing facilities including entrance gates, and any other park infrastructure associated with tourism and its guest houses.
2. Ensuring all signage around the reserve is well maintained and accurate.
3. Ensuring the Park architectural language is consistent and well maintained.
4. Manage key infrastructural developments which are of a Commercial nature, as envisaged in the Business Plan.

e) Park Product

The ATM will be responsible for:

1. Enforcing and ensuring best practice of all rules and regulations concerning all walking, driving, boating and other tourism-related activities taking place in the park.
2. Working with all tourism stakeholders to effectively create demand for Nkhotakota as the destination of choice in Malawi through innovative programs using media and marketing campaign.
3. Driving Nkhotakota as a landscape, cultural and wildlife destination brand of choice in Malawi.
4. Investigating and developing alternative tourism activity offerings

f) Enterprise

Together with the Park Manager, Community Develop Manager and appropriate Head Office staff, the ATM will evaluate and develop sustainable community enterprise projects. Upon successful completion of project documentation and the securing of funding, the role out of these projeds wil be the responsbility of the AIM, in cooperation with the Community Development Manager.

Requirements

Capabilities, competencies and experience needed for the job

• A Degree in Tourism or Business Studies, with a further Business qualification being advantageous. Long term experience in the Tourism Management may substitute the degree qualification;
• Proven operational experience in commercial and enterprise, with a demonstrated interest on conservation management secor.
• A strong work ethic with a demonstrated abilty to analyze complex contrads in a solutions-based manner,
• Excellent planning ans organizational skills;
• Trusted and disciplined, able to work independently with a demonstrated ability to build a strong team approach to project execution

• Solutions centered with an understanding of the need for confidentiality;
• Encellent communication and customer management skills;
• Good ability to write proposals and reports and present both in written or oral formats;
• IT – Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook, Tall-Order and other tourism related software;
• Team player who will nurture and develop hospitality employees;
• Excellent ability to build and manage relationships with a wide veriety of people and cultures.
• Be meticulous in their work and able to work under pressure.
• Abiity to pricritize work, meet deadines and produce quality results in a timely manner.
• Be methodical, highly organized, motivated, flexible.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is preferred. Knowledge in other languages spcken in AP Parks will be an added advantage.
• Being a Malawian National is an advantage.
• Adhesion to the values of African Parks Network (APN)

Applicants should send their current Curriculum Vitae with names of two traceable referees and a motivation letter to:

The Human Resources Manager,
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve,
Box 47,
Nkhotakota
or Email recruitMalawi@africanparks.org not later than 28th March 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted through mobile phone.

African Parks is an equal opportunity employer, female candidates who are qualified are encouraged to apply.