Job Description

IFAW Wildlife Rescue Program Officer Job in Nairobi or Johannesburg 2019

Career Employment Wildlife Rescue Program Officer Nairobi Kenya April 2019

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

Vacancy Announcement

Job Title: Wildlife Rescue Program Officer (Pan-Africa)

Reports To: Director, Wildlife Rescue Program

Location: Nairobi, Kenya or Johannesburg, South Africa

Terms: Full Time

Duration: Permanent

Position is open to Kenyan or South African nationals or holders of Kenyan or South African work permits

IFAW is a global non-profit organization that protects animals and the places they call home. Our vision is a world where animals are respected and protected. IFAW Headquarters is in Washington DC, USA. With offices in 15 countries and projects in more than 40 countries, we rescue individual animals, safeguard populations, preserve habitat, and advocate for a better future.

IFAW seeks to fill the position of Wildlife Rescue Program Officer – Pan-Africa.

Position Summary / Objective: Under the guidance of the Director of Wildlife Rescue Program, the Program Officer for the Pan-African region is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of IFAW Wildlife Rescue projects within the region.

Specific activities include the development of program elements addressing wildlife ¡n disasters (in coordination with the DRRR team), live animals seized in trade (LAST) (in coordination with the Wildlife Rescue Program Officer for LAST), rescue, rehabilitation, release and post release monitoring efforts, sanctuary support, and emergency rescues.

Key aspects of the role include the development, compilation and sharing of best practices across all aspects of our work in coordination with other Program Officers in Wildlife Rescue.

This Program Officer is also responsible for the identification of potential new opportunities for engagement within assigned regions and related project management as assigned.

Role and Responsibilities

• Work with Director of Wildlife Rescue Program to scope regional opportunities and priorities for Wildlife Rescue. Develop and maintain program elements addressing wildlife in disasters (in coordination with the DRRR team), live animals seized ¡n trade (LAST) (in coordination with the Wildlife Rescue Program Officer for LAST), rescue, rehabilitation, release and post release monitoring efforts, sanctuary support, and emergency rescues.


• Maintain oversight of Wildlife Rescue projects within your assigned regions and liaise with country office and program staff to ensure smooth operation of these projects. Monitor on the ground staff, grantees and contractors, and daily operations of animal rescue projects.


• Responsible for the development of project plans, including PME, for each project. Ensure timely submission of quarterly reports.


• Develop budgets, monitor expenditures and track budgets for assigned projects.


• Explore opportunities for restricted funding for WR activities in conjunction with the Institutional Giving Team.


• Train for, and respond to, disasters in the region (that involve wildlife) at the level of Disaster Response


• Team Leader in conjunction with the Disaster response and Risk Reduction team.


• Develop and cultivate key relationships with regional governments. NGOs, private organizations and other stakeholders through networking and local involvement in projects and meetings.


• Provide training in best practices as relevant.


• Provide local and regional insight on wildlife issues and events, human/animal conflicts, zoo closures or other welfare related issues, for the larger program.


• Work closely with all IFAW departments (communications, finance, development, etc.) to ensure optimal flow of information between programs and departmental teams.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Relevant college degree or vocational qualification preferred or equivalent relevant experience (e.g. wildlife rehabilitation, animal rescue, emergency response). Advanced degree and/or veterinary sciences degree a plus.


• At least two years working in a hands-on environment within animal rescue, and/or animal welfare fields.


• Experience in data collection and analyses.


• Experience in project planning, monitoring and evaluation.


• Able and willing to travel anywhere in the world on extremely short notice, and live in difficult, often dangerous, conditions for up to several weeks at a time.


• Able to work interdependently, optimizing the skills available within the team; project management experience highly preferred.


• Able to work with a high level of professionalism: the mix of dependability, initiative, and ability to make sound judgments within guidelines that will earn respect and achieve success in chaotic and high pressure environments.


• Demonstrated ability to work and live under adverse conditions and to handle stressful situations.


• Excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing. Ability to interact harmoniously and communicate effectively with people both internally and externally from varying educational, social and cultural backgrounds.


• Fluent English and proficiency in at least one additional language preferred.


• Commitment to animal welfare and promoting IFAW’s mission.

How to Apply

Please forward letter of interest, CV, and copy of credentials to the following 2 emails simultaneously: recruitea@ifaw.org and recruitea@hallmarkrecruitment.com

Your application should include your current and expected salary and benefits.

The subject for your application should read: Wildlife Rescue Program Officer – Pan-Africa

Applications should be received before close of business. Friday, 26th April, 2019.

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