Commercial Development Manager

POSITION : Commercial Development Manager

ORGANISATION : African Parks – RCA

LOCATION : Central African Republic

REPORTING TO : Park Manager & Head of Commercial APN

EXPECTED START DATE : January 2024

BACKGROUND:

African Parks (AP) is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 22 national parks and protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.

Chinko is situated in the far eastern region of the Central African Republic (CAR). With its mosaic of different ecosystems and the size of its intact vegetation, Chinko is incredibly rich with a unique composition of biodiversity and opportunities for ecological and evolutionary processes, it is also an important area for endangered wildlife as well a vast freshwater river ecosystem. African Parks assumed responsibility for the management of the Chinko Conservation Area since 2014.

JOB OVERVIEW:

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Development Manager to head Chinko’s Commercial Development Department and be responsible for finalising and implementing Chinko’s Commercial Development Plan in line with the Long Term Sustainble Strategy (LTSS), the Five Year Businnes Plan (5YBP) and the Land Use Plan (LUP). This covers tourism, nature-based income streams and community enterprise activities in the communities surrounding the Chinko Conservation Area (CCA).

Key Functions

Tourism concessions

• Conduct full due diligence process on all existing Tourism Concession Agreements (TCA) awarded in the park in conjunction with the Park Manager and the Head of Commercial based at AP Head Office to build a full understanding of the status quo and inform the Board of Chinko on the way forward with these contracts.
• Ensure that the Terms and Conditions of each Tourism Concession Agreements are in line with Chinko’s LTSS, 5YBP and LUP and are adhered to by the respective parties, including Government.
• Ensure that each operator is invoiced appropriately and in a timely manner and that all payments made by concessionaires are reconciled and reported on a monthly basis in collaboration with the Finance section.
• Conduct regular inspections of all tourism facilities within the Park to ensure best environmental practices and waste management are adhered to.
• Build a strong set of relationships with all of the Tourism Concession Agreements holders and applicants.
• In conjunction with the Head of Commercial of AP headquarters and the Park Manager, manage any new Expression of Interest and Request for Proposal process around the award and subsequent development of any new or defunct concessions in the CCA.
• Work with the Park Manager and the Head of Commercial Development in negotiating the terms and conditions of any new concessions with successful developers and operators.
• Be responsible for upholding the terms and conditions of any new concession agreements and ensuring that the relevant operator is accountable.

Tourism, Enterprise Development and Other Plans

• Drive the development of the Tourism Development Plan for the CCA in conjunction with the Park Manager, the Head of Commercial, and other relevant stakeholders.
• In collaboration with the departements of Conservation and Community Development, identify and implement opportunities for sustainable community enterprise projects and compile all proposals and plans related there as well.
• Drive key planning processes that have a direct bearing on commercial and/or enterprise activities and ensure that the outcomes align with the park’s LTSS, 5YBP and Land Use Plan.

Commercial Operations

Revenue

• Achieve realistic and agreed stretch revenue targets for the Park as Chinko will need to focus on covering a significant part of its operating expenses a through Commercial revenue in the fullness of the mandate.
• In collaboration with the relevant department, follow up the drafting of the Livestock Taxation Plan and its progressive implementation as per the 5YBP and LUP.

Commercial Infrastructure and Aesthetics

• Be responsible for ensuring the upkeep and professional appearance, in line with the agreed Chinko brand language, of any park infrastructure associated with tourism.
• Ensure all signage around the park is well maintained and accurate.
• Ensure the Park architectural language is consistent and well maintained.
• Manage key infrastructural developments which are of a commercial nature, as outlines in the 5YBP.

Park Product

• In collaboration with the departments of Conservation and Operations, develop and maintain all game drive loop roads in the park.
• Enforce rules and regulations concerning tourist activities taking place in the park, including the adherence to the Code of Conduct by clients/concessionaires when in the park
• Work with all tourism stakeholders to effectively create demand for Chinko as the destination of choice in CAR through innovative programs using media and marketing companies.
• Drive Chinko as a unique wildlife destination of choice in Central Africa.
• Investigate and develope alternative tourism activity offerings e.g. walking safaris, wild 4×4 routes etc.

Enterprise and Nature Based Revenue Development

Enterprise

The Commercial DevelopmentManager will, together with the Park Manager and appropriate Head Office staff, evaluate and develop sustainable community enterprise projects.

Upon successful completion of project documentation and the securing of funding, the role out of these projects will be the responsibility of the Commercial and Enterprises Manager.

Nature Based Revenues

In collaboration with the departement of Conservation and any other necessary departemnt, implement all nature based revenue projects such as REDD+.

Qualifications and Role requirements

• Three-year degree in Biological Sciences or Business Studies, with a further Business and marketing qualification being advantageous.
• At least 10 years of proven operational experience in the conservation management sector, with a demonstrated interest and skill set focussed on commercial and enterprise aspects.
• Previous experience working with REDD+ projects will be considered an advantage.
• A strong work ethic with a demonstrated ability to analyze complex contracts in a solutions-based manner.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• A legal background would be a significant advantage.
• Trusted and disciplined person, 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.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good ability to write proposals and reports and present both in written or oral formats.
• Good skills in IT – Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Team player who will nurture and develop hospitality employees.
• Excellent ability to build and manage relationships with a wide variety of people and cultures.
• Fluent in French (written and spoken).