Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Manager

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Manager

Department

Conservation Landscapes Programme

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Experienced

PIAN UPE WILDLIFE RESERVE MANAGER JOB PROFILE

Job Title: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Manager

Department: Conservation Landscapes Programme

Contract Type: Permanent-Full Time

Reporting to: SFG Managing Director of Conservation & Chief Warden responsible for Pian Upe Conservation Area

Location: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda

Direct Reports: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Staff

Hours: Full-time (based in PUWR)

Our Core functions

Space for Giants is an international conservation organisation founded in 2011 that works across Africa to conserve the continent's most important natural landscapes for the benefit of both people and wildlife. Through long-term partnerships with governments, communities, development partners and the private sector, we support the protection, restoration and sustainable management of protected areas and their surrounding landscapes. Our work is focused on two interconnected programme areas: Landscape Protection and Human-Wildlife Coexistence. Through these programmes, we strengthen protected area governance and management, improve biodiversity conservation, support sustainable financing mechanisms, and develop practical solutions that enable people and wildlife to coexist. Collaboration is central to our approach. We work alongside national and local governments to develop and implement science-based conservation programmes that align with national priorities and deliver measurable ecological, social and economic outcomes. Combining technical expertise, strategic partnerships and innovative financing, we help secure resilient landscapes that conserve Africa's natural heritage while creating lasting benefits for neighbouring communities. To learn more, visit www.spaceforgiants.org.

Role Summary

The PUWR Manager is the senior Space for Giants representative based at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, coordination and implementation of the Collaborative Management Partnership between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Space for Giants (SFG). Working closely with the UWA Chief Warden, the PUWR Manager will lead the delivery of the General Management Plan, Business Plan and Annual Work Plans, ensuring that all conservation, operational and financial objectives are achieved.

The position provides leadership across all aspects of reserve management, including law enforcement, biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, community conservation, sustainable grazing, tourism development, infrastructure development, carbon finance, financial management, donor compliance and stakeholder engagement. The PUWR Manager will ensure that all programmes are delivered in accordance with agreed objectives while strengthening institutional capacity, securing sustainable financing and improving conservation outcomes throughout the reserve.

The position reports operationally to the UWA Chief Warden responsible for the Pian Upe Conservation Area and administratively to the Space for Giants Managing Director of Conservation.

Job Description

The PUWR Manager shall operate within the framework of the Collaborative Management Partnership between the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Space for Giants and shall provide strategic leadership to ensure the effective implementation of all agreed programmes within Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve.

The PUWR Manager shall work closely with UWA, local governments, community institutions, development partners and the private sector to ensure that conservation objectives are achieved while strengthening governance, improving ecological integrity, enhancing community benefits and establishing a financially sustainable protected area.

The PUWR Manager shall be responsible for the following:

1. Protected Area Management

• Lead the implementation of the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve General Management Plan, Business Plan and Annual Work Plans.
• Coordinate the day-to-day management of the reserve in close collaboration with the UWA Chief Warden.
• Ensure all programme activities are implemented in accordance with the Collaborative Management Partnership Agreement and approved annual budgets.
• Coordinate planning across all departments to ensure integrated reserve management.
• Develop annual operational priorities, implementation schedules and performance targets.
• Support the development and periodic review of reserve policies, management plans and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Oversee reserve administration, logistics, fleet management, ICT systems and operational support services.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Ugandan legislation, UWA regulations and Space for Giants policies.
• Coordinate annual planning workshops and quarterly programme reviews.
• Provide technical advice to UWA on protected area management and institutional strengthening.

2. Biodiversity Conservation & Ecological Management

• Lead implementation of biodiversity conservation programmes throughout the reserve.
• Oversee ecological monitoring programmes including wildlife surveys, camera trapping, habitat monitoring and species recovery initiatives.
• Coordinate implementation of the Ecological Monitoring Framework and adaptive management systems.
• Support research partnerships as necessary.
• Ensure maintenance of ecological databases and monitoring systems.
• Oversee habitat restoration, invasive species control and ecosystem management programmes.
• Coordinate implementation of the Fire Management Strategy.
• Support wildlife translocations, collaring programmes and species-specific conservation initiatives as required.

3. Law Enforcement & Protected Area Security

• Support the Chief Warden in strengthening reserve security and law enforcement.
• Coordinate implementation of the Law Enforcement Strategy.
• Ensure adequate operational planning, logistics and equipment for ranger operations.
• Support implementation of EarthRanger, VHF Radios, LoRA and other conservation technologies.
• Coordinate infrastructure development supporting law enforcement operations.
• Monitor law enforcement performance indicators and recommend improvements.
• Promote ranger welfare, professional development and operational readiness.

4. Community Conservation

• Lead implementation of the Community Conservation Strategy.
• Strengthen relationships with neighbouring communities, Community Wildlife Associations and District Local Governments.
• Coordinate community engagement programmes and stakeholder consultations.
• Support implementation of Human-Wildlife Conflict mitigation programmes.
• Promote conservation education and awareness initiatives.
• Develop partnerships that improve community participation in conservation.
• Facilitate community benefit-sharing opportunities associated with conservation programmes.

5. Nature-Based Economy

• Lead implementation of sustainable livelihood programmes that improve community resilience while supporting conservation objectives.
• Oversee the implementation of the PUWR Rangeland Carbon Project.
• Support development of conservation enterprises.
• Promote employment opportunities for neighbouring communities.

6. Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee the budget for SFG in respect to PUWR planned activities to ensure expenditure in line with approved annual work plans (including but not limited to reporting on budget vs actual, budgetary adjustments, cashflow position etc.);
• Work with and in support of the SFG Managing Director of Conservation to ensure that all SFG projects in PUWR are being managed and delivered in compliance with funding contracts, commitments and delivery terms;

7. Impact Measurement

• Participate and support the development of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework within PUWR as it pertains to impact metrics, threats, indicators etc.;
• Support SFG’s Communications Departments to report on project impact to PUWR network of supporters and partners.

8. Fundraising

• Assist with grant writing applications as well as supporting institutional and private grant reporting requirements;
• Development of concept notes, proposals, presentations, etc for use in reporting and fundraising;

9. Strategy

• Provide inputs to UWA and the SFG Managing Director of Conservation to refine the PUWR GMP, business plan as well as associated programmatic strategies and PUWR management plans;

Organizational Governance

1. Finance

Provide input into the Departmental Budgets on a yearly basis and when required for the preparation of grant applications, etc

2. Risk Management

Liaise with the Chief Warden and SFG Managing Director of Conservation to identify risks in project delivery and possible mitigation efforts that could be taken.

3. Impact Measurement and Management

Record and Report on the Impact each Programme is having based on objectives vs. outcome vs. deliverables and targets to be achieved per Programme

Record and Report on loss opportunities and potential reasons for the same

Ensure adherence to Impact measurement protocols & Standard Operating Procedures for each Programme

4. Regulatory and Compliance

Record and report to UWA and SFG any regulatory or compliance deviations or risks per programme

Stakeholder Management

1. Strategic Relationships

Support UWA and the SFG Managing Director of Conservation in maintaining relationships between

• Internal stakeholders: Employees, Consultants, interns and volunteers and;
• External stakeholders: Governments, Partner organizations, Donors, Vendors and associated government points of contact

Performance Management

1. Capacity Building

• Identify SFG existing and potential staff requirements
• Participate in identifying existing and potential UWA staff requirements and capacity development gaps and strengths
• Oversee development and upskilling of direct and in-direct reporting

2. Performance Management

• Conduct the Annual Performance Management Review of SFG projects and submit Reports to UWA and SFG
• Conduct the SFG Cultural Contract renewal process with direct Reports and Interns
• Record, own and direct reports for leave, timesheets and travel requirements

3. SFG Staff Engagement

• Support the Development and Conduct a yearly Employee engagement survey at PUWR
• Provide assistance and collaborate professionally with interns/scholars as required
• Engage with team members collaboratively to achieve the objectives of the PUWR
• Overseeing adherence to the internal SFG Culture Contract

4. Direct Reports

• Chief Warden Pian Upe Conservation Area

Special Projects

1. SFG ambassador

• Represent the SFG Managing Director of Conservation when requested to do so at meetings, conferences and events as relevant;
• Represent SFG professionally and uphold the company’s values at any external event or with any external parties
• Provide input as per special assignments requested by SFG Managing Director of Conservation as the need arises

Culture and Values

1. Drive the Organizational Culture to internal and external Stakeholders
2. Conduct oneself and encourage team behavior to create awareness and reinforce Organizational Vision, Values and the Culture Contract

Any other relevant tasks related to the role as directed by the Supervisor

Person Specification

Key Skills: Experienced in Project management and people management, efficient, hard-working, able to multitask, should require limited supervision, self-driven, innovative and organized.

Uphold the cultural values and code of conduct of Space for Giants: Passion, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, Innovation, teamwork, professionalism, commitment to conservation.

Academic qualifications and personal specifications

• Minimum of 10 years' progressively responsible experience in protected area management, conservation programme management or natural resource management, including demonstrated experience managing a national park, wildlife reserve, conservancy or comparable protected landscape.
• Master’s degree in conservation, natural resource management, programme management, planning, environmental, or in relevant fields.
• Postgraduate qualification in business management, project planning and implementation is an added advantage.

• Proven experience leading large, multidisciplinary conservation programmes and managing complex projects from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with African governments, protected area authorities, local communities, development partners, donors and private sector stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of protected area governance, collaborative management partnerships and landscape-scale conservation approaches.
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets, procurement processes, contracts and donor-funded programmes, ensuring compliance with organisational and funding requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, annual work planning, business planning and results-based programme management.
• Sound understanding of biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, habitat management, protected area operations and adaptive management principles.
• Knowledge of community conservation, stakeholder engagement, human-wildlife coexistence and sustainable livelihood programmes.
• Familiarity with conservation finance mechanisms, including tourism development, carbon finance, biodiversity credits or other sustainable financing approaches is desirable.
• Working knowledge of protected area law enforcement systems, intelligence-led operations and ranger support programmes.
• Experience using conservation technologies, including EarthRanger, GIS (ArcGIS/QGIS), GPS, LoRaWAN, VHF/UHF communications and other digital monitoring platforms.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and make evidence-based management decisions.
• Excellent financial, organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Exceptional leadership, interpersonal and people management skills, with a demonstrated ability to motivate, mentor and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing high-quality technical reports, donor reports, presentations and briefing papers.
• Strong negotiation, diplomacy and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive working relationships across diverse institutions and cultures.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgement and the ability to work independently in challenging and remote environments.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability, with a commitment to the values and mission of Space for Giants.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of Kiswahili or relevant local languages is an advantage.
• Willingness and ability to be based full-time at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and to travel extensively within remote field locations.
• Possession of a valid driver's licence with demonstrated experience driving in remote off-road environments.

How to Apply

If you meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, apply via this link.

Deadline: 31 August 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Location

Mbale, Moroto

Department

Conservation Landscapes Programme

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Experienced