Regional Aviation Manager

POSITION : Regional Aviation Manager

ORGANISATION : African Parks – RCA

LOCATION : Ndjamena/Chad /with frequent mission within theCentral

African Region

REPORTING TO : Regional Operations Manager

EXPECTED START DATE : As soon as possible

BACKGROUND:

African Parks 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.

African Parks is looking for an experienced pilot and aviation manager for the central African Region in the position of Regional Aviation Manager.

JOB OVERVIEW:

African Parks aims to ensure safe, efficient, and maximum utilization of existing human and material resources in the Central African region to provide effective, safe, and park compliant air support.

The Regional Aviation Manager/Chief Pilot will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and supporting these air support functions throughout the Central African region.

Key aspects of the role

Regional Management and oversight of regional aerial support operations in the Tchad, Central African Republic and Republic of Congo areas of operation.

Pilot in command (where required) for all aircraft deployed throughout the region. Relief pilot duties shall be in the various African Parks Network areas and will require the incumbent to travel extensively throughout Chad.

Oversight over aircrew, aircraft, maintenance, personnel and aviation operations in Chad.

Aviation Safety and Risk Management in the region.

1. Oversight to include (but not limited to):

• Aircrew qualifications, currencies and renewals
• Aircrew duty times and leave cycles
• Aircrew proficiency checks
• Aircraft care and continued safety and airworthiness
• Aircraft maintenance planning
• Limited procurement of parts, spares and consumable applicable to aviation operations. (in-line with AP processes and approved budgets)
• Liaison and coordination of legal and compliance matters with the relevant aviation authorities
• Fuel and logistics planning
• Improved, safety and efficient aerial support operations

1. Capacity building and mentorship:

• Assist with the development and implementation of improved operations in the region;
• Assist on the procurement of necessary equipment to ensure aviation operations are safely conducted during both day and night;
• Assist in implementing new and planned aviation platforms and how these are to be used in order to function as force multipliers;
• Provide any other recommendations that may be useful in the short, medium and long term to operate safely in the region

1. Other:

• Ensure alignment of all aviation operations with AP SOPs and applicable legal prescripts
• Continued liaison and coordination with AP Head of Aviation to ensure compliant, safe and efficient operations
• Perform other duties as assigned and contribute to the success of the parks operations in the region

Key Relationship

1. Regional Operations Manager
2. AP Head of Aviation
3. Regional HR Manager
4. Central region Parks Manager
5. L.E Manager in each Parks
6. Parks Operations Manager
7. Other members of the Parks management team

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Requirements Skills:

• Valid ICAO / FAA Commercial Pilots Licence
• C182, C206 ratings / endorsements with 50 hrs each make and model
• C208 Caravan rating / endorsement with minimum 100 hrs on type will be beneficial
• Minimum 1500 hrs as Pilot in Command (aeroplane).
• Valid and current Night and Instrument Flight Rating
• Valid class I Aviation Medical Certificate
• Proven and demonstrable experience in conservation / bush operations. This experience to include operations from unprepared bush strips, operations in marginal weather, high ambient temperatures, dust and isolated operational areas.
• Experience in survey, census and surveillance operations.
• Demonstrable aviation management experience
• French speaking

Capabilities, competencies and experience needed for the job

• Good leadership and people management skills
• Strong personal integrity and dependability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrable experience managing and working in partnership with other organizations
• Excellent work ethic and grounding of discretion and confidentiality
• Strong willingness to live in a rural setting and experience living in remote locations.
• Fluent English and French (written and spoken)
• Good team player and experience in management teams

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:

Fully functional, safe and legally compliant aerial operations with:

• Full responsibility for the safety and operations of the aerial support operations in the region; and
• Full responsibility for the maintenance oversight of aircraft deployed in the region.
• Zero preventable incidents / accidents and exemplary safety record
• Improved safety and risk management.